Astrolabe 1812 by Knocklouder - Mantua - 1:50

[Keith Black]

 Bob, I was digging around and found another French Corvette but I think the time frame is a little later than the Astrolabe. 

 

 

[Knocklouder]

@Keith Black I am sure there is more horse power under that hull than in my Astrolabe hull.

 Got the chanis done, on to the cannons and masts. I can smell ratlines. Oohh be still my beating heath..

Now just gave to nail them on. Thouch them up and done . On to the cannons and masts, Research is going great  thanks I am anxious to start rigging.  Lol I don't know  if it's insanity or my desire to learn how to rig this ship for Rodney  ether way I am greatful for all the help I get here. I am slowly getting better on my computer, but it still doesn't understand me.  After all this time , lol.  Ok, on to the cannons and masts.    

Knocklouder. 

Edited February 17 by Knocklouder

[Knocklouder]

Can you belive this.

Scientific name: Pygoscelis adeliae

Adélie penguins were discovered in 1840 by scientists on the French Antarctic expedition led by explorer Jules Dumont d’Urville. D’Urville named Adélie Land, in southern Antarctica, after his wife, Adéle. Scientists Jacques Hombron and Charles Jacquinot also attributed this name to the species. @Glen McGuire PENGUINS. 

 Adelie Penguins  🐧. 

  Below is the Captain of the Astrolabe , Jules Dumont d’Urville or  Captain  Jim, ship inspector, as I call him . Jim may not  be his real name lol. Made by my coffee loving freind @Gabek , who is not taking any orders until he is finished my Viking rowers in the late fall of next year lol. He does fantastic work and has done work for prestigious modeling companies all over the world.

Best part is , he likes me lol.

Ohhh the fun is never going to stop on this build.

The cannons went well ,  but it's never a good sign if you have left over parts. Lol.

 

I am leaving them loose  because not sure  of shroud placement ,  the masts need work but line up great. The platforms needs to be drilled for the crowfeet lines, but I have all of the info for that in Rodney's notes.  So I should be good to go , plus after making them for the Duchess of Kingston I will be good. Plus I keep  @Glenn-UK

   on speed dial lol.

 

With the cannons installed its time to start working on the lower masts . My buddy @Keith Black has given me a great log to follow, the rigging is incredible, I should be able to learn lots, thanks buddy.

 I am going to go paint up Captain Jim, and go get a couple of figures with shovels lol. I think we will need it with all the horses, longhorns and Penguins that will be boarding the ship soon. Clean up on aisle 3 lol.

 I can't believe how much fun this is turning out to be. Must be because of  all the shipmates that are helping me on this one. Thank you all for watching me have the time of my life.

Bob M.       

 

PS special thanks 

@Gabek

@Keith Black

 

 

 

Edited February 19 by Knocklouder
Guessing typos lol

[John Ruy]

Wow!!! Progress is looking great, Bob. 
 

Cheers 🍻 

[Knocklouder]

Work on the platforms will start tomorrow, some last minute part changes are needed, and I am missing some parts for the crowsfeet lines  that I will have to make some how 🤔. 

At this point I looked at some of the yard work. This will take a bit of time to figure out, plus  I have to decide which colors are going to be used, or just stain and finish 🤔 another we will see moment. 

 

After figuring out what we need to go forward  I am at the point where I have to wait tillI have all the requested information before proceeding. 

 I can set the lower masts, run the shrouds, lower stays, crowsfeet line and the lower ratlines. Then I need more rigging information, but by the time I get all this done I will have my information. 

 I am not sure how Rodney wanted this to look like, tha masts are white and the yards have a natural finish on some  are bare  wood on others. So my decision is to make them look the same. Lots of time for that decision.

   One decision about this ship is make a stand or a diorama, I am leaning toward a diorama.  Because  fellow  member @François de Saint Nazaire

He has lead.me to these pictures of the Astrolabe surrounded by  Penguins  🐧. 

Thank you so much... merci beaucoup.

The wheels are rolling but it only seems right that it be stuck in  the snow.  Lol 😆 🤣 

  Serving lines and making blocks and seizing  the deadeyes will keep me busy for months, by that time I should have figured out the color scheme for the Astrolabe and all my research material will be here. Months of rigging and tunes a head , and RATLINES are  not far off,  I am in my glory. Thanks for looking .

  You have to be able to see what it looks like, right now I am the only one who can see it lol but it is beautiful, your going to love it lol.       

 

Knocklouder 

 

 

Edited February 20 by Knocklouder
Typos

[Knocklouder]

Progress on the platforms  today. I decided on the colors for the lower mast and platforms.  The yards will be refinished with a stain and finish coat.

First coat of paint on the platforms, the holes are drilled and ready for clear coat. I am making the crowsfeet lines the same way  as I did for the Duchess of Kingston. 

@Keith Black will point out what's missing in this pucture? Hint, under the table. Lol.

The mass look like thier ready to install. But Rodney says please put the nose guard on please . Lol.

 The niece is spending the weekend so it's all stop on the Astrolabe lol and full steam ahead on the Mississippi diorama. River making time . 

 I have to let things dry really good anyway.  Back at'er Monday.   

 

Thanks for looking in.

Bob   M.    .

Edited February 22 by Knocklouder

[Knocklouder]

All flags will be lowered to half mast today.

 My friend Rodney has passed away  😢. 

 It is a blessing, he was suffering from bone cancer. So now he can look from above as I finish his model for him. 

Taking some time off building. Take care my friends  I will see you soon.

Bob M.

 

Edited February 25 by Knocklouder
Typos

[Keith Black]

 I'm sorry to hear of Rodney's passing, Bob. My condolences.

[Ryland Craze]

I am deeply sorry to hear about Rodney’s passing. Your Astrolabe build will be a meaningful and heartfelt tribute to his memory.

[Paul Le Wol]

Bob, I am very sorry to hear this sad news. Take care.

[Jond]

Bob
I am always happy to find another build that relates and adds background to my attempts.  I had read about Astrolabe in passing while reading the book…The Explorations to the Antarctic Peninsula by Hugh Allan.  I was reading it in general interest but more to find who was there around the same time as HMS Terror and Erebus.  In reading other books it was understood that the British Ross expedition was expedited because of the your new fried Capt Dumont, the French, Americans and others all headed to and claiming land in the Orkney and other islands in the 1830 era.

 

The corvette Astrolabe nee Coquille, along with her consort Zelee was apparently stuck in the ice for a week and there are images I am sure you have seen. Anyway, as the story goes their purpose was more focused on the overall French interest in the South Pacific and they were apparently quite successful.   Also, just to sail into pack ice and escape is no little thing. Any wooden vessel going around the world, she went twice, says alot about her.

I look forward to dropping in from time to time.  I am also sorry there is no short cut around all those ratline hitches.  I decided to think about it as knitting a sweater. Something I could not do very well, I am sure.   My solution is I never did too many in a sitting. 

Cheers 
 

[Glen McGuire]

I am very sorry to hear about the passing of your friend, Rodney.  My sincere condolences to you and family.

[Coyote_6]

My condolences sir.  I am sorry to hear of your friend's passing.  I am glad to see you honoring his work with yours.  He was a genuine craftsman based on the work you've shown us. 

Edited February 25 by Coyote_6

[SaltyScot]

5 hours ago, Knocklouder said:

All flags will be lowered to half mast today.

 My friend Rodney has passed away  😢. 

 

His ship has sailed over the horizon, Bob, but, just because you can no longer see his sails, it doesn't mean he is gone. As you so rightly said, he will be looking down as you complete his build. My condolences sir.

[Knocklouder]

Thank you very much everyone for their thoughts and prayers, much appreciated thanks.   

  Life moves on, we lose friends and we gain friends.  I met a fellow builder on line and he sent me some information on the Astrolabe from Paris, fantastic stuff, color  scheme, rigging information, I see 12 blocks missing from one plan to the other.

At least I can move forward with what I am going to do. 

The spider web starts.Jigs have been made. All the lower shrouds are attached to the masts, I like the way the look, best I have ever done so far.

One is done looks good.

Then five were done. They are just snug and even lose , I am going to install all of them on the portside the turn it around. I have a swivel TV stand that I will be putting it on when it time to tighten both sides at the same time. Lol I got a plan. 

The main and mizzen mast are ready to be tied as well.  They should go pretty good, once done I  will be into some serious serving and seizing it looks fun lol.

  Lots of stuff to do, so many things to figure out, but haven the time of my life. 

Thanks .

Bob  M.

 

 

 

Edited February 27 by Knocklouder

[Coyote_6]

Good to see you at it Bob.  Can't wait to see her finished.

 

27 minutes ago, Knocklouder said:

Lol I got a plan. 

"I love it when a plan comes together!"

 

Happy building sir.

Edited February 27 by Coyote_6

[Knocklouder]

The five shrouds on the main portside went well.

Hanging the deadeyes from a clamp I was able to add the 3 seizing threads to each deadeyes. They look pretty good. 

It didn't take long at all. I can rig deadeyes in my sleep now lol. When I first started I had to follow the picture  , making sure I was in the right place.  Now zip zip zip.On to the starboard side  . Tomorrow because   , Canada’s second favorite game starts soon so done for the day. 14 left then some paint changes , stays then crowsfeet lines.  Might even throw a few ratlines  on lol. I am pacing back and forth with anticipation  lol.

  Word is  , Private First Class Gnomer Pile is on his way home , He called from Paris said he lost Goober  in Paris , but he will tell me all about it when he get back.

The horse barge has been turned 😳  the Bowsprit mast still intact  lol.

My rigging on this ship is going really well , I learnt alot from rigging the Duchess of Kingston, fantastic instructors and all the help in the world, thanks @chris watton and Vanguard Models.

 There is a whole lot of seizing and serving of lines to do, and lots more to figure out, but it is full speed ahead. See you soon. Thanks for looking in and for all the help and support I get here.           

Knocklouder. 

Edited March 1 by Knocklouder
Typos

[Knocklouder]

Good morning, shroud work continues.  I first load the deadeyes  on the jig then clamp it on

Then hang it , seizing it place the lanyards on. 

These are on the Mizzen mast starboard side, I think those are my best that I have done so far. There are 10 lower shrouds left to tie on.  She is looking really good 😄

Thanks for looking in on the build.

Knocklouder.     

[John Ruy]

WOW 😮 Nice job on those deadeyes, Bob. You’re becoming a real master builder. 
 

John

[Keith Black]

 New nickname required me thinks.......... Deadeye Bob

[Knocklouder]

All the lowers shrouds are rigged, I just have to tighten them all up first. I tarred  the deadeyes to hide the super glue stains, tar aka black paint lol

 

The main mast cannon that I was worried about looks like it will be good to fire off the cannon.  I might just close all the cannon lids, it will be stuck in the Antarctic not ready for battle.  So the lids would be clised.

She is a big ship that's for sure. I am having a hard time turning it around.  I will have to come up with a plan to make it swivel . Some time tomorrow,  we have a double hitter tonight one curling game followed by a hockey game.  

 Thanks for stopping by , deadeye Bob mmm, it is better than Rigging Robbie at least lol. Oh oh oh Robbie the Rigger the first Mate says 🙄 🤣. 

 

Knocklouder.   

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 4 by Knocklouder
Typos

[Glen McGuire]

11 minutes ago, Knocklouder said:

we have a double hitter tonight one curling game followed by a hockey game.  

I'll take "Things you won't hear in Texas" for $200, Alex.    

[Keith Black]

 Time to hitch up your cloves, Deadeye. 

[SaltyScot]

13 hours ago, Knocklouder said:

tar aka black paint lol

 

Ha ha, love it!

[Knocklouder]

Ratlines are on the horizon  , I can't wait. Finally.  Lol. But I am going to hold off till I serv some lines and make some blocks  and things . 

After tieing the shrouds a dab of glue and then trim them up. Then I add all the shear poles, I also decided to change the look of the Bowsprit.  I painted  black and white, the yards will all be black as well. 

 

I put it up on the self to dry while I go do some yard work and line making.  Up next is the serving of the stays.

I won't be able to work on the ship till  after the weekend, got to take the grand kids to the family fishing derby  and of course the finals  for curling and a few hockey games are also in the way. 

 Thanks for popping in and the support I am getting here on MSW.  Thanks      

 

Knocklouder 

 

Edited Friday at 10:56 PM by Knocklouder
Typos

[BANYAN]

Hi Bob, sorry I am late to this log; somehow missed it.  Great job you are doing here in completing the model - she is looking very 'shmick' - Jim seems to approve.

 

cheers

 

Pat

[SaltyScot]

That is one fine looking vessel, Bob. Enjoy the fishing you lucky duck! Can't wait for the season to restart here.

[GrandpaPhil]

Bob,

  I haven’t looked in for a while, Astrolabe is looking amazing!  
 

My sincere condolences for your friend!

 

Those plans of the Astrolabe look like AAMM plans, and their plans are amazing!

[Knocklouder]

@GrandpaPhil they might be AAMM plans I dont know. A fellow ship mate from Scotland  sent them to me, he has build an Astrolabe and said they helped him lots. ME not so much , between the two sets of plans I should be able to make it look good. One thing is it is  good practice for rigging. 

I started the ratlines  this morning.  All the tracing of the shrouds plans are  poop. But they are good for back drop to see the ratlines  lol.

 

 

I had a long conversation with Rodney about his ship, I really don't know what he was intending to make it look like. I do know the work he has done is awesome. The ship will look beautiful, but he buildt it I only am putting it together and rigging it. 

We have decided to make this Astrolabe  1812  look like  the ship Atrops . I am confused about the names ,  best I can come up with is it is an English Corvette, La Lionne. I told Rodney that I can't read much, some  how I feel it ok to make it this way.  I like the look of it.

Many ratlines to tie as well as the crowsfeet lines, plus the Mizzen stays as well. So there is lots of fun and happiness ahead. Then yard work, lots of yard work 🙄. 

The family fishing derby was a success, double the amount of people this year over 120 registration.  Wow. Both grand sons caught their first  Pikes, the one below is the youngest with his 18" fish. The other cought a  20 " pike. Or Jack fish some call them lol. 😆 🤣 

The cell phone lost power and we didn't think to have someone else take the picture of his fish, and he put it back right away before we could take it anyway  lol. It was a great day.

  Thanks for stopping by, I know I couldn't not have been able to get this far with this ship if it was not for MSW/NRG  helping me along my journey  😀. 

Talk again soon, lots of smiles ahead. Thanks everyone. 

Bob  M.

 

 

Edited 10 hours ago by Knocklouder
Typos

[ccoyle]

11 minutes ago, Knocklouder said:

Both grand sons caught their first  Pikes

 

I tried to catch one when I visited Minnesota this past August, but they didn't cooperate. I caught a few bluegill, but hey, who hasn't? 😑