trunnels on margin planks?

[hamilton]

Hi there:

 

I'm installing a margin plank in several sections, scarfed together. My question is whether there would have been visible trunnels at the scarf joints on the margin plank and if so, how they would be arranged. This is for the Fair Rosamund, 1831...

 

Thanks in advance!

hamilton

[russ]

The trunnels would have been no more visible on the margin plank than anywhere else on the deck.

 

Russ

[hamilton]

Hi Russ:

 

Thanks for the response, but this doesn't really solve my issue - are you saying there are no trunnels (or treenails) visible anywhere on deck or that the scarfs should be trunnelled the same way as the joints between the deck planks? Sorry if I'm being thick - I've just seen many modellers adding treenails to their decks....

hamilton

[russ]

If you want to add trunnels that is fine. On a real deck, they are not really that visible. On a model it is a personal choice to add them or not.

 

Russ

[dgbot]

To me adding trunnels is a personal choice.  Ona real vessel they are easy to miss.  On a model if not donw prooperly they detract fom the model.  Many modlers put them in and they ad a maritime measels effect.  They are either to big or n ot in contrast with the deck.

David B

[allanyed]

Hamilton,

What scale is your Fair Rosamund?  Trennals  (trunnels, treenails, trenails,  tomato, tomahto) for the deck planks were relatively small.  In addition, they were often seated below the surface of the deck planks then capped with a wooden cover piece so the end grain of the trennal was not exposed.

 

If you are at 1/4 scale and you want to use and show treenails, go for it.  They were probably no more than an inch diameter or less.  The smallest hole on my Byrnes draw plate is needed to get this small.  Not an easy task, even using bamboo.

 

If I was building at 1/8 scale, I would not show them as I have no way of making them small enough.  3/16 is a close call but doable (look at Ed Tosti's Naiad build log for evidence.)   IMHO, out of scale trunnels and hatch gratings are the easiest way to ruin the look of an otherwise fine model.

 

Allan

[augie]

Based on the plans for my current build (Passaro Confederacy 1:64), treenails run across the margin planks in line with the butt planking for the deck planks.  I would think that, at your scale of 1:53, including them would be most reasonable if that's your preference.

[muzzleloader]

Hamilton

This is the deck of the D. Fernando II e Gloria built in the 1830's

she is in Lisbon. That's my size 8 in the picture.

[hamilton]

Well it seems I'll have to give it some thought. I added treenails to my 1:25 scale Glad Tidings pinky schooner, but at that scale they looked appropriate. At 1:53 (a little smaller than 1/4) it might not be doable. I certainly want to avoid a pock marked deck....at the same time, if I can fashion a small enough treenail and if, once the deck is finished, they blend in well, I may go for it....I'll probably do a series of tests before finalising the decision anyway. 

 

Thanks all for the input and for the nice photos! 

hamilton

[druxey]

The 'treenails' in the D. Fernando II e Gloria are probably side-grain plugs over nails or spikes. You would not want end-grain wood on deck: moisture will wick in and promote rot in short order.

[russ]

I have seen where, in more wooden built ships, they used wood plugs over the counter sunk spike or nail and the grain of the plug ran the same as that of the surrounding deck planks.

 

Russ