Venetian Carrack or Cocha by woodrat - FINISHED - 1/64

[JesseLee]

I have really enjoyed following this build. The work and the research have been awesome!

 

Jesse

[cog]

It was a thrilling voyage with you. I've enjoyed every step of the way, and the result is stunning. Thank you for sharing ... I'm actually sorry the port of destination has been reached ...

[woodrat]

Thanks Carl and Jesse. The next project, a 13th/14th century Lateen-rigged two master is well advanced on the drawing board and will hopefully be as interesting.

Dick

[druxey]

We look forward to your next project, Dick. Bring it on!

[cog]

Can't wait for it to emerge from your drawing board, Dick ... trembling with anticipation!

[Mark Pearse]

Hi Dick

 

a beautiful model indeed, & the journey through history was fascinating. Now I can see that the drawings & paintings you posted examples of are quite accurate.

 

Mark

[Louie da fly]

SUCH a beautiful ship. I particularly like the final photo in the series, juxtaposed with the original drawing which you used as your main model in building her. And the quality (and quantity) of research has, in my opinion, resulted in a model as close as humanly possible to what actually sailed the seas. Not to mention the brilliant workmanship.

 

You have good reason to be proud of this model, Dick. I look forward to the next build.

 

Steven

[woodrat]

Have made the anchors from woods metal and wood but am trying to determine how they were secured. I have made a decorative stand more in keeping with the period using playful dolphins and perspex to support the nave.

Cheers

Dick

[cog]

those dolphins turned out better than I thought viewing the first few pictures. Nice stand, lovely display. You've created a marvelous ship, Dick ... awe inspiring

[woodrat]

1 hour ago, cog said:

those dolphins turned out better than I thought viewing the first few pictures. 

Best not to look too close, casting is not my forte (yet). You should have seen the first versions 

Dick

[cog]

"First versions should not to be viewed by third parties"

[Louie da fly]

Nice dolphins, Dick. And the perspex makes it seem they're the only thing holding the ship up.

 

Steven

[druxey]

The clear acrylic (Perspex) is a brilliant idea! As Louie remarked, it gives a great illusion.

[mtaylor]

What a great way for a display stand. Wonderful!

[Mark Pearse]

the stand is wonderful, brilliant idea

 

Mark

[tovabe]

Excellent work, Dick, 

The first half-hull you made was very promising too; it had a very medieval character.

 

[woodrat]

Thanks, Tovabe and a Happy New Year.

I have now nearly completed an earlier venetian round ship of circa 1300 which may interest you:

https://modelshipworld.com/topic/17991-venetian-round-ship-13th-century-by-woodrat-132-scale-fully-framed/

Cheers

Dick

 

[woodrat]

11 hours ago, Ferrus Manus said:

@woodrat Why did you exclude the tack lines in the build? Nearly every (accurate) representation of a carrack i have seen includes tack lines... even the one in my profile picture!

Who defines accuracy? I have never claimed accuracy for my model. Whenever possible, decisions on hull design and rigging were based on contemporary iconography and manuscripts and not on modern reconstructions which may have included later practices in the rigging. This is not to say that late medaeval venetian practices did not include tacks, just that the pictures that I found dont show them.  Reference is made (Bellabarba 1998) to a contrascota. This may be a reference to a tack as the sheet is called a scota in venetian dialect.  Landstrom in his reconstruction of the Mataro carrack shows a tack but this is a modern reconstruction based on what evidence? The Mataro carrack's rigging is largely fragmentary and certainly did not show a tack or even a sheet.

Here are some 15th century pictures showing carracks under sail.

Does the last picture show the starboard clew pulled forward by a tack? Maybe. Carpaccio is reliable source.

 

 

Ferrus Manus has asked this question: Weren't you going to add a foremast to your ship? what happened to that?

 

I originally planned to install a foremast and ,at the last moment changed my mind.  One valued book I consulted was "The Art and Archaeology of Venetian Ships and Boats" by Lillian Ray Martin. The representations of ships were analysed and classified. At the time of my carrack, 1445, all three types of square rig: one, two or three masts were widely used in the Mediterranean with the one-masted being much the commonest. So I chose the middle ground. As for accuracy, all I claim is that this is about as close a representation of one ship depicted in one manuscript as I could make and maybe a typical example of its type. But accurate cannot be applied to it as too much is guesswork e.g. the deck furniture.

Dick

Edited January 20, 2023 by woodrat

[Ferrus Manus]

All the artworks shown include a foremast, that is, except the Mataro Carrack. It would make much more sense to me to add a foremast now, even if the yard isn't there, as there is a hole for the foremast and the fact that the bowsprit and forecastle timbers are offset to accommodate one.

Edited January 20, 2023 by Ferrus Manus

[woodrat]

I originally planned to install a foremast and ,at the last moment changed my mind.  One valued book I consulted was "The Art and Archaeology of Venetian Ships and Boats" by Lillian Ray Martin. The representations of ships were analysed and classified. At the time of my carrack, 1445, all three types of square rig: one, two or three masts were widely used in the Mediterranean with the one-masted being much the commonest. So I chose the middle ground. As for accuracy, all I claim is that this is about as close a representation of one ship depicted in one manuscript as I could make and maybe a typical example of its type. But accurate cannot be applied to it as too much is guesswork e.g. the deck furniture.

As to putting in a foremast now since, as you say, there is a hole for it and and the timbers are offset (well spotted again), I have considered this but the model is now encased in a display cabinet at a remote site from my workshop. I will think on it. A furled yard would be appropriate

Dick

[Ferrus Manus]

You see, if there was no foremast, there would be zero logic or reasoning behind the offsetting of the bowsprit and forecastle superstructure. So, bearing that in mind, a foremast would be more accurate. I highly doubt they would have knowingly and purposefully set sail without a major part of the ship.

 

You'll have to redo the main stays, but it's all in good fun. I love an excuse to go back and revisit old projects. I couldn't find any images featuring a foremast and no yard, so i guess you'll have to add at least that. If i had found any, however, they would have been ones you had already seen. 

Edited January 21, 2023 by Ferrus Manus

[woodrat]

As you can see, the foremast step and partners are there, so you can see that I originally planned a foremast. I just dont know if and when I can go back now and put it in. One thing I am not doing is redoing the mainmast stay, the foremast is surrounded by the strands of the stay.

Dick

Edited January 23, 2023 by woodrat

[Roger Pellett]

It’s a really nice model, well researched, and beautifully displayed. If you as the master Shipwright declare it finished, that’s good enough for me.  Leave it alone!

 

Roger

[Ferrus Manus]

With as dangerous as 15th century seas were, they probably would not leave port without it, and if it were damaged, it would not be sailing at all. Then, you would have to completely replace the main and mizzen sails with furled ones! That would be no fun. I also do not see a need for the mainstay to be redone, after seeing your photo. I think making a foremast and its rigging would be a fun opportunity to pass the time and improve your model. I just wish i could even approach your level of skill. I can't wait to see it! I probably would not be of any help, but if you need me, i will surely be here. 

Edited February 2, 2023 by Ferrus Manus

[woodrat]

Thanks, Ferrus. I guess I will have to take the FINISHED sign off the title.

Dick

[Ferrus Manus]

Congratulations, @woodrat! I truly do ruin everything, don't i? 

It'll be fun. I can be here for moral support, because that's probably all i'm good for. 

[Ferrus Manus]

Also, would you mind doing me a favor and referring me to the sources you used for the construction of your carrack?

[woodrat]

 

24 minutes ago, Ferrus Manus said:

Also, would you mind doing me a favor and referring me to the sources you used for the construction of your carrack?

I think you will find I have detailed these in the initial pages of this build. I have used only sources contemporary with the vessel depicted (15th century CE). No modern reconstructions were used.

Dick

[Ferrus Manus]

49 minutes ago, woodrat said:

 

I think you will find I have detailed these in the initial pages of this build. I have used only sources contemporary with the vessel depicted (15th century CE). No modern reconstructions were used.

Dick

Is there any books you could recommend? I am looking to, at some point, domy own carrack. Mine will be closer to the Mataro ship than your Venetian carrack.

[Ferrus Manus]

Your use of only comtemporary sources is impressive and applaudable.