Newsboy 1854 by Pete Jaquith - Model Shipways - Brigantine

[pete48]

Awesome work, great build log I just stumbled onto it today Looks great

 

Best Regards,

Pete

[Mirabell61]

A very beautiful ship Pete,

 

Hull, deckhousings, also the Yards with the yardracks look excellent, very clean precise build, makes ones heart beat faster while watching, thanks for sharing...

 

Well done !!

 

Nils

[JesseLee]

This is such a beautiful build!

[ca.shipwright]

Hi Pete,

I'm glad to see you are back and working on the Newsboy.

Now maybe I can finish it.

 

Regards

 

Michael

[Pete Jaquith]

Thank you for your interest in "Newsboy" 1854,

 

Next step is assembly of mast sections and fitting mast ironwork. Key points include:

 

>>> Cross trees & fore top fitted

>>> Upper masts dry fitted and caps installed

>>> Mast / cap ironwork, bands, and clevis bands fitted

>>> Special fittings fabricated (silver soldered) from brass strip, tube, and channel sections

>>> Mast hoops fabricated from .020" x 1/16" basswood wrapped around larger dowel, cut to length, and glued

 

Pete Jaquith

Shipbuilder

Edited May 16, 2014 by Pete Jaquith

[Pete Jaquith]

Thank you for your interest in "Newsboy" 1854,

 

Additional mast assembly and outfit fittings. A list of special "Newsboy" rigging fittings typical of the mid 1800's is listed below:

 

Spar Setup

 

(1) Royal yard parrel assembly (special fabrication)

(1) Topgallant yard parrel assembly (special fabrication)

(1) Upper topsail yard parrel assembly (special fabrication)

(2) Upper topsail yard studding boom quarter iron (special fabrication)

(2) Upper topsail yard studding boom iron (special fabrication)

(2) Lower yard studding boom quarter iron (special fabrication)

(2) Lower yard studding boom iron (special fabrication)

(1) Lower topsail yard clevis assembly (Britannia casting)

(1) Lower topsail yard truss assembly (Britannia castings)

(1) Lower yard truss assembly (Britannia castings)

(1) Boom sheet assembly (special fabrication)

 

Mast Setup

 

(1) Main mast crane (special fabrication)

(1) Fore mast cap clevis assembly (special assembly)

(1) Fore mast clevis assembly (special fabrication)

(1) Iron stay assembly (lower topsail yard stay) (special fabrication)

 

This post completes mast fabrication and the fitting of mast ironwork. When construction resumes, mast sections will be assembled and outfitted with blocks and rigging lines per Rigging Setup Lists.

 

Pete Jaquith

Shipbuilder

Edited May 16, 2014 by Pete Jaquith

[aliluke]

Incredible precision Pete. I'm in your rear view mirror, coated with dust and little hope of catching up. Brilliant work and thanks for sharing.

[pete48]

Great detail work the spars look great

 

Best Regards,

Pete

[Pete Jaquith]

Thanks for your interest in "Newsboy" 1854,

 

Next step is complete metal outfit, paint, and rigging setup of spars. Key points include:

 

>>> Metal outfit, bands, sheeve holes, etc. per Rigging Setup Lists

>>> Paint per Paint Schedule

>>> Rigging blocks, rigging lines, and fittings per Rigging Set Up Lists

 

Peter Jaquith

Shipbuilder

Edited May 17, 2014 by Pete Jaquith

[Pete Jaquith]

Thank you for your interest in "Newsboy" 1854,

 

Next step is fitting the jibboom and associated head rigging. Key points include:

 

>>> Deadeye assemblies prepared with silver soldered rings

>>> Deadeye assemblies fitted to bow

>>> Jibboom / dolphin striker outfitted with eyebands

>>> Jibboom / dolphan striker fitted and head rigging installed

>>> Martingale stays and backstays fabricated from 27 links/in brass chain

>>> Balance of head rigging installation consists of tieing off the fore stays that pass down through the bowsprit bees and jibboom sheeves (following foremast installation)

 

Pete Jaquith

Shipbuilder

Edited May 17, 2014 by Pete Jaquith

[Pete Jaquith]

Thank you for your interest in "Newsboy" 1854,

 

The above posts address my Brigantine "Newsboy" 1854 construction through February 2014. "Newsboy 1854 is now in storage until I complete my current 1:1 scale shipbuilding project in North Vancouver, BC Canada. "Newsboy" has been an interesting build and she is a beautiful ship model with clipper ship like lines.

 

When I restart construction, key activities will include:

 

>>> Assemble masts and complete mast rigging setup

>>> Complete hull rigging setup

>>> Set masts and complete standing rigging

>>> Fit spars and complete running rigging

>>> Fit rigging coils and final touchup

>>> Build case and fit model for display

 

As time permits, I will post pictures of my Maine Topsail "Eagle" 1847 and 14 Gun Brig "Fair American", circa 1780 builds.

 

Pete Jaquith

Shipbuilder

Edited May 18, 2014 by Pete Jaquith

[Kurt Johnson]

Pete, This is great! I had this kit in 3/16 back in the yellow box days. I always loved her lines. I had seen a few shots of your build on the UVSMG site a couple of years ago, and have always wanted to see more, now here it is. I have the 1/8 rerelease kit from about eight years ago, but never started it. Now I have to drag it out! Wish it was 3/16. I guess that's what the Optivisors for. Any thoughts on info resources?

 

Kurt

[Pete Jaquith]

Kurt,

 

You could always scale up the drawings and scratch build her in 3/16" scale. I will be posting a plank on solid scratch build for the Topsail Schooner "Eagle" 1847 in the In Process Scratch Build Forum. Except for the built up bulwark, I used the same technique and assembly process as "Newsboy".

 

Pete Jaquith

Shipbuilder

[Kurt Johnson]

I know but I'm currently restricted to kitchen table modeling with no shop available at this time. Also, like all of us not too much modeling time at the moment. So, the kit is the best alternative. You've proved what can be done with a kit. Very high bar, but a goal!!

[Kurt Johnson]

Pete, Two questions.  Do you seal the wood with poly before you paint with acrylics? (brush painted?)  And can you recommend any resources that you've used for period merchant practices?

 

Kurt

[EdT]

Lovely work, Pete. Could you describe the process you used for the ship's name lettering.

 

Ed

[jwvolz]

She looks really terrific. Wonderful work Pete. 

[JesseLee]

Wow, this is absolutely beautiful work! Excellent detail in the masts & spars. The rigging so far has captivated me- I keep coming back & looking at it again. Again-Wow!

[michaelpsutton2]

Really crisp and clean!!!

[dvm27]

Lovely set of spars, Pete. The words 'museum quality' are often bandied about and hard to define but this model certainly fits the bill!

[Pete Jaquith]

Thank you for your interest in "Newsboy" 1854,

 

As you have likely noticed. I enjoy the hobby and I have enjoyed My "Newsboy" 1854 build.  In response to your questions:

 

>>> I am currently using Floquil acrylic paints.  I apply them directly over Floquil's acrylic primer (either white or gray as the color dictates).  I prepared a number of test pieces to evaluate various paints and colors for my projects.

>>> I prepared the ship's name and hailing port with Adobe Photo Shop (I have also used Word).  I do a series of trials to get the appropriate expanded shape and then to get the background to match the warm white and engine black paint I am using.  I print the names on fine printer paper, seal them with Krylon spray, and glue them in place with white glue.  Finally, I seal them with wiping varnish.  As you have likely found, you need a fair amount of curve (camber) on your stern lettering to look correct on the raked / curved transom.

>>> Reference material for mid-1800 sailing vessels:

>>>>>> Approximately 24 plan sets/instruction manuals for vessels of the period (Model Shipways, Bluejacket, A.J. Fisher, Maine Maritime Museum, Mystic Seaport Museum, New Bedford Whaling Museum, etc.)

>>>>>> Crother's book on the Americal Clipper Ship Design

>>>>>> Harold Underhill's book on Plank on Frame Ship Models (somewhat later period)

>>>>>> Various rigging books (some from an earlier period but they help in identifying the range and approximate size of rigging lines)

 

Thanks for your interest,

Pete Jaquith

Shipbuilder

Edited May 19, 2014 by Pete Jaquith

[Kurt Johnson]

Peter,

I'm guessing that with your period expertise and nautical aricitectural knowledge the only parts you had problems with Campbell's interpretation of the Newsboy is the size of the anchor windlass. Do you remember how much you scaled it upwards? I'm hoping I can do a decent job in 1/8".

 

 

Kurt

[Pete Jaquith]

Kurt,

 

As best I can recall, I made the following changes to the plans:

 

>>> Anchor windlas increased in size ~30-50%

>>> Binnacle increased in size ~30-50%

>>> Fitted stowage for windlass brake handles on fore house front

>>> Fitted (2) boats vs. (1) on plans

>>> Boats increased in size ~30%

>>> Fitted (2) water casks (not shown on plans)

>>> Fitted (2) pumps vs. (1) on plans

>>> Fitted smoke pipes to fore/main houses

>>> Fitted ships bells fore/aft

>>> Fitted fore top vs. cross trees shown on plans

>>> Fitted studding booms and irons to fore yard and fore upper topsail yard

 

Note that the size increases noted above may not apply to 1/8" scale plans as they may have used the same fittings on both the 1/8" and 3/16" scale kits.

 

Regards,

Pete

Edited May 25, 2014 by Pete Jaquith

[Kurt Johnson]

Thanks Pete. Still in the planing stage now. Have to make up my templates, I could never figure why there aren't more models of this genre. I' d love to build a clipper, but space won't allow for it.

 

Kurt

[Kurt Johnson]

Pete, Are you saying that problem is with the fittings and that these items are the appropriate size on the plans?

 

Kurt

[Pete Jaquith]

Kurt,

 

On the 3/16" model I felt both the fittings and drawing were small (binnacle & anchor windlass). It was my judjment they were just too small. In my modeling, I try to consider each part and assembly in terms of its full size dimension. When in doubt, I compare with other plans/books on period practice (e.g. bulwark timberheads, cap rails, plank width, etc.; also applies to rigging lines & blocks). With this approach, I try to keep all parts/assemblies in proportion.

 

Regards,

Pete

Edited May 27, 2014 by Pete Jaquith

[SawdustDave]

Hi Pete....So glad I stumbled across this amazing build. Beautiful craftsmanship my friend. I learn so much from this kind of work by a pure artist. Thanks for sharing.

Dave

[Pete Jaquith]

Welcome to the Brigantine "Newsboy" 1854 build log,

 

As "Newsboy" is currently in storage awaiting my time to set masts and rig her, I have added a few summary pictures.  Thank you for your interest.

 

Pete Jaquith

Shipbuilder

Edited June 8, 2014 by Pete Jaquith

[rdondorf1]

Pete:  Could you describe the method used to recess the hull exterior above the waterline by 3/64" to accommodate the exterior planking thickness?  Did you devise special templates or did you use a thickness gauge to accomplish this?  I have 3/16" Newsboy in the box and would like to build her the way you're building her.  I'm a big fan of your work and I'm looking forward to the rest of this build log.  My compliments to the instructors at the Webb Institute, they taught you well!

[Pete Jaquith]

Thank you for your interest in "Newsboy" 1854. In reducing the topsides by 3/64" to accomodate hull planking the following process was followed:

 

>>> The 3/64" offset was laid out on the top of the bulwarks

>>> A waterline 1/8" below the copper line was laid out

>>> The subject waterline was groved using a 1/16" W x 3/64" D gouge

>>> The upper hull surface was shaved down by 3/64" using sharp gouges and flat chisels

>>> The upper hull surface was faired using emery boards (from beauty supply store)

>>> Throughout this process, the hull surface was checked using the original station templates

 

When you are ready to start "Newsboy" 1854 I would be glad to forward copies of my files and sketches (drawings and sketches are currently in storage).

 

Regards,

Pete

Edited August 26, 2014 by Pete Jaquith