ronv Posted September 4, 2014 Share #1 Posted September 4, 2014 I asked this question in my build log yesterday, with no luck. That post is already buried on page three. It is amazing how many posts on this forum daily. It is great. So... maybe it will get more attention here. I am rebuilding the AL swift which I originally built many, many years ago and this time I want to add a little more detail. I can't seem to find much information and my plans (probably not very accurate) were tossed years ago. I think I have discovered that these pilot boats had no stays or shrouds, so no standing rigging. Is this correct? That seems a little strange to me. But if so all the rigging would be the same, lighter color. Is that correct? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Seiler Posted September 4, 2014 Share #2 Posted September 4, 2014 Ron, If it had/has masts it almost certainly has to have standing rigging. Looking at some pictures of it online shows me that it has set of shrouds for each mast and a fore stay. Probably more. Its a pretty simple rig, so there is not much there. Quote Chuck Seiler San Diego Ship Modelers Guild Nautical Research Guild Current Build:: Colonial Schooner SULTANA (scratch from Model Expo Plans), Hanseatic Cog Wutender Hund, John Smith Shallop Completed: Missouri Riverboat FAR WEST (1876) Scratch, 1776 Gunboat PHILADELPHIA (Scratch 1/4 scale-Model Shipways plans) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronv Posted September 4, 2014 Author Share #3 Posted September 4, 2014 Hi Chuck. Thanks for your reply. My assumption that no standing rigging is present is based on an old-old single sheet plan of "Katy of Norfolk" Virginia Pilot Boat from a Model Shipways kit. It appears that Katy is very similar to Swift. A note on the plan says "references- Chapelle. "The Baltimore Clipper. Salem 1930"... Chapelle "American Sailing Craft. New York 1936" and Steel "Naval Architecture. 1804". A note on the top of the page while discussing how to rig the stay sail says" There were no stays on these vessels. Both jib and topmast stay sails were set flying as shown." (which I also don't understand, but that is another topic LOL.). In another place under rigging notes it says "Though two shrouds a side are shown for each mast, these vessels normally had none. Your model is correct if they are not rigged"... So, confusion abounds at least for me. But it is fun. I am learning something new. At my age, they say keeping your mind active is important. This is definitely doing that. Today I learned what a stay sail is... sort of. LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ Posted September 4, 2014 Share #4 Posted September 4, 2014 The Virginia pilot boats did not have any standing rigging. Later, when fitted for other services, particularly naval service or in case of an ocean voyage, they set up stays and shrouds. But for pilot service, no standing rigging. Russ trippwj and testazyk 2 Quote T'aint a hobby if you hurry Completed projects Cross section model by Russ 1/48 scale Biloxi schooner model restoration 1/24 scale Biloxi oyster skiff 1/24 scale Biloxi schooner 1/48 scale POB Current project Biloxi lugger Captain Roy 1/48 scale POB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronv Posted September 4, 2014 Author Share #5 Posted September 4, 2014 Cool... Thanks Russ. All one color rigging lines then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaryKap Posted September 8, 2014 Share #6 Posted September 8, 2014 Hey Ron - I have the plans for the Artesania Latina "Swift" Virginia Pilot boat 1805 in front of me as I am writing this. The plans are from around 1985, and they show two shrouds on each mast, and a stay running from the tip of the bowsprit to the top of the foremast, and then to the main mast. Might not be historically accurate, but that's what they show. Its your ship. I would be happy to take a photo of the plan if you would like, but won't be able to do it until tomorrow. <<Gary>> justsayrow 1 Quote current build: SYREN nearly done: Fair American, Benjamin W. Latham future builds: Emma C. Berry completed builds: Rattlesnake, Newsboy, Sultana Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronv Posted September 9, 2014 Author Share #7 Posted September 9, 2014 Thanks for the offer Gary, but I'm going to follow the "Katy" plan mentioned before. It also shows the shrouds but I suspect that was just thrown it to add interest to the kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.