Question on Shipyard Fixtures circa 1774

[edbardet]

In the attached photos there is a furnace like device in the center of the shipyard (Deptford circa 1774)

 

Could they be steamers?

 

There are several in the yard and some quite close to the slips. This could indicate the need to get heated timbers to the ships rapidly.

 

 

I would like to know what they are.

 

There does not seem to be a way to insert long timbers, but all the covers could be raised and timber lowered into the center for soaking / steaming.

 

Was steaming done in the 1700's?

 

Could it be a 'stove' where tar pots were heated for calking. Does anyone have another opinion?

 

Thanx,

Ed

[mtaylor]

Ed,

 

Those look like the steamers I've seen illustrated in several books.  The timber/planks was inserted at the ends.  The "hatches" were for man-handling the wood in side the steamer box.  There was a long metal pan that held the water under the timber.  Yes, they steamed planks in the 1700's possibly earlier.

[WackoWolf]

I agree with Mark. I have seen other models and they almost have the same thing you are looking at. Here is one I have a picture of. In the left hand corner you will see one.

[edbardet]

mtaylor - Thanx I did not see an opening at the ends, but looking again it does seem like there is one in one of the photos. It must have taken a long time to steam since they had to let out the steam and heat as they opened the top. WackoWolf - Thanx

Yep that is a traditional setup with a boiler and a box. I just was not sure of the thing in my pictures.

 

Ed

[mtaylor]

Ed,

 

The rule of thumb as I recall was one hour per inch thickness plus one hour for the plank. 

[Jim Lad]

Sounds like making tea, Mark - one spoon for each person and one for the pot! 

 

John

[mtaylor]

Well, John, seems that the English do things like that so there would be similarities, no? 

[Modeler12]

Interesting pictures.

It leads me to the next question. After the planks were steamed, how and where were they formed to the shape they wanted. Certainly they would not carry hot planks across the yard to another building, or would they?

[mtaylor]

Jay,

 

Get a copy of "Building the Wooden Fighting Ships" by Dobbs and Moore.  

 

The answer is "yes".  The planks would have been spiled before going in the steamer. They pulled it from the steamer and put it in place on the hull using various clamping devices.  If there was problem in getting it right, it went back in the steamer.  Steamers were located around the yard near the building slips/drydocks according the maps in the book. 

[WackoWolf]

There was a you tube video of it being done that someone posted before, I just can't remember who it was that posted it. It was a good video to. Maybe that person will see this and re-post the link for you to watch.

[edbardet]

Mark - Do you have a copy of a book that has the Deptford map? My next post was asking for the legend on the map.Dodds and Moore just has the one from Woolrich.

Ed

Edited March 27, 2014 by edbardet

[dgbot]

Many years ago when my hair was still red a bunch of us made a group trip up to Milwaukee WI to see the build of the Donald Simmons.  While there we saw the workers take a plank  from a steam box and place it on the frames.  They moved fast the plank was very flexiblle.  Once in place they would clamp it down until it dried.  I wish I had a video camera to take a video.

David B

Edited March 27, 2014 by dgbot

[mtaylor]

Mark - Do you have a copy of a book that has the Deptford map? My next post was asking for the legend on the map.Dodds and Moore just has the one from Woolrich.

Ed

 

No, I don't. See the other post you made on Deptford.

[normanh]

Definately steamers - if you get the chance visit the Historic Dockyard at Chatham the Wooden Walls exhibition has one made up following the course of a build.