Scratch Build George Law rigging question

[Boat Doc]

I'm currently researching configurations and drawing plans to scratch build a 1:48 scale SS George Law (aka SS Central America). Images I have found of other models and drawings show very little detail as far as rigging goes. To me this rigging appears incomplete.

 

 

Does anyone have any insight or suggestions as to where I might find information about rigging standards for steamships cir. 1850 - 1860?

[JerseyCity Frankie]

Its an era that is underrepresented in the hobby. There is certainly a need for more information about this transitional period as it is fascinating and has some real oddball pairings of ships and rigs. I wish I could remember the name but I recently saw a modelers plan of an early 20th century ocean liner that had square rigged sails AND a catapult for a seaplane. I would LOVE to imagine a scenario where the seaplane pilot is aloft helping to furl the sail, then gets the word the ship is in range and he must  return to the deck, suit up and fly the mail ahead to New York.

[JerseyCity Frankie]

My only title I can think of is Unerhill's Masting and Rigging of the Clipper Ship and Ocean Carrier. Not because it has any content relating to transitional steam and sail vessels, it has NONE. But it does cover steel wire rope and chain and the iron fixtures that would be utilized on ships like the one you are talking about, ships from the late stage of sail. I think Underhill and his several books are considered the best source for late stage sail and riging information.

[druxey]

If sails were to be bent to the square yards, one would need the usual assortment of blocks for buntlines, clueless and leechlines attached. Also there would surely be footropes. I believe there were also jackstays fitted during this time period. Presumably there would be mast hoops and brail blocks for the fore and aft sails as well.

[Boat Doc]

My only title I can think of is Unerhill's Masting and Rigging of the Clipper Ship and Ocean Carrier. Not because it has any content relating to transitional steam and sail vessels, it has NONE. But it does cover steel wire rope and chain and the iron fixtures that would be utilized on ships like the one you are talking about, ships from the late stage of sail. I think Underhill and his several books are considered the best source for late stage sail and riging information.

Thank you I will look up Underhill's book.

[Boat Doc]

If sails were to be bent to the square yards, one would need the usual assortment of blocks for buntlines, clueless and leechlines attached. Also there would surely be footropes. I believe there were also jackstays fitted during this time period. Presumably there would be mast hoops and brail blocks for the fore and aft sails as well.

I agree, first thing I noticed were no foot ropes! Any idea where I might find some good images and of diagrams of this rigging?

[druxey]

There are many good books on period rigging. Underhill is certainly one. Another you might consider is Longridge's Cutty Sark.

[Jaager]

There are several books that cover this period - Lever, Nares, Meade, Biddlecombe, Brady   - 

This vessel is contemporary with the clippers and the rigging would be rope. 

I think that the rigging would be the same as the 1850's clippers and packets.  The steam is the add-on.

They probably did not totally trust the steam, and on a long voyage - given the efficiency of the engines - could carry no cargo but fuel coal if they used the engines for anything but getting into a harbor or a dead calm.

[brunelrussell]

I have noticed in photographs of the paddle steamer Arago And some others that the lower yards were actually lowered to the deck when the ship was presumably idle.  Perhaps they bent the sails then and didn't need footropes.  Don't know about the sails higher up.

[Roger Pellett]

You might want to look into First Atlantic Liners by Peter Allington.  This covers early sail steam vessels.

 

Roger