HMS Serapis by BradNSW - FINISHED - 35 year Scratch Build

[BradNSW]

Back in the mid-1980s, I wrote the Maritime Museum, and they eventually provided a set of plans for the HMS Roebuck (lead ship of the class from which Serapis was built).  Being a young LT in the US Navy, recently married and two kids emerging on the scene, the Scratch Build proceeded extremely SLOW!  It started on Ford Island, in Hawaii, followed us to Machrihanish Scotland, San Diego CA, Manama Bahrain, Monterey CA, and finally Denver CO (where I retired and finished the project)!!!  I don't have much documentation of the first 25 years of the build but I'll provide a short photo montage of the last decade, with comments when needed.

 

This is how she looked after 25 years...the main gun deck beams, grating and decking.  I used alder for everything and several shades of WATCO wood oil to "paint" the model and accent different aspects.  Eventually, when I got to the carvings, I used Pearwood.

 

In 2021, I had built the stern up according to the Roebuck plans, with two levels of windows (from my understanding, they only shed light on one deck but were supposed to simulate/deceive others into thinking it was a larger ship). See photo below.

 

Around this time, I discovered there is debate on whether the Serapis actually was built with the two layers of false windows.  I also discovered there were plans for the Serapis 1782 from the NMM.  Instead of 3 months snail mail, I ordered these plans online and received them in 2 weeks!!  Since the argument has never (to my knowledge) been definitively answered, I opted to redo the stern with one row of windows.  I also found the carvings on the 1782 very helpful in deciding how to carve the stern decorations and figurehead.  Here is the redo of the stern.

 

Finally, the Roebuck plans and 1782 stern plans side by side.

Edited Thursday at 02:06 PM by ccoyle
corrected log title

[BradNSW]

Around this time, COVID hit.  I we went on the road full time in our RV and this became my mobile shipyard.  Below is how the stern, with carvings eventually turned out, while I learned to carve in campgrounds across the USA!  This is where I discovered pearwood.  I started on the stern, hoping to gain some skill before tackling the figurehead!!

[BradNSW]

My next big task was the anchor rails and main head rails.  Below are pictures of the anchor wale construction.

The mainrail supports were the most difficult parts of the model to create.  Below is a jig I mad to get the proper curve, using laminated alder planks.

 

Below shows the result of 4-layers of lamination.  After applying WATCO wood oil (dark walnut), the lamination lines are almost imperceptable.

 

Finally, an overhead view of the Main Rails and the lateral support beams.

 

 

[BradNSW]

Next were the bow gratings and seats of ease.

[BradNSW]

I got some additional carving practice, before trying the figurehead, while decorating the cathead.

[BradNSW]

Cannon port covers, backstay chainplates and quarterdeck accommodation ladder.

[BradNSW]

Quater gallery construction and carvings.

[BradNSW]

Finally ready to tackle the figurehead.  Serapis is an Egyptian Bey who guarded the gates of Hades with his three headed dog Cerebrus.  He is always depicted with an upside-down bowl/grain holder on his head.

Tracing the figurehead from the Serapis 1782 drawings.

 

The finished results.

 

[BradNSW]

I've got 100s of other pictures documenting the build, but I'll close with pictures of how she sits now.  Following 3 years on the road in our RV, we finally bought a home in Loveland Colorado.  A corner of the basement is my "Navy Bar", where the finished model finally landed.

 

[ccoyle]

Beautiful!

[Justin P.]

Nice work!   Beautiful.

[CiscoH]

so this was your first build?  i dont know which is more amazing; the quality of the ship and especially the carvings, or the fact you stuck with it for 25+ years.  The natural edged wooden shelf and carved cradles work very well with the finished model too.  Amazing job!

[Jim Lad]

A very credible first build!

 

John

[BradNSW]

3 hours ago, CiscoH said:

so this was your first build?  i dont know which is more amazing; the quality of the ship and especially the carvings, or the fact you stuck with it for 25+ years.  The natural edged wooden shelf and carved cradles work very well with the finished model too.  Amazing job!

I had two Artesia Latina kits under my belt.  The Scottish Maid and King of the Mississippi.  My first scratch build and first carvings.

 

For the cradles, I traced the frames where I wanted them to sit, then just started whittling until they began to take shape (a dinosaur or sea creature or???).

 

Yeah, I'm a stick-with-it guy (or as my wife says...stubborn as a mule):)!

[Pirate adam]

I love the display. 
 

Adam 

[mtaylor]

Wow..... beautiful work.