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USS Constitution MS2040

I am lucky enough that I live in Beverly Mass. Founding Home of the U.S. Navy. I grew up in North Cambridge, Ma.
The Constitution has always been near me, except for my four and a half years upon a DD out of San Diego, Calf.
Today she is a sad site to see. The Ship was had her masts being rebuilt. They finish one mast and they start another.
Rot is the big problem. She has not been fully rigged since about 2020. They hope to have Her fully rigged for 2026.
I think it's a long shot. They just do not have enough shipwrights to do the job.
Lets hope for the best!
Then they have to set the 2032 rebuild. That will include a number of Ribs that have to be replaced. that will be about 3 years
in the dry dock in the Charlestown Navy Yard. God knows what that will entail?
I hope I can see that dry dock period.
By the way, I volunteered in the Model Shop of the Constitution Museum
Tim Murphy
 
I really appreciate the positive feedback -- also thank you Tim for the update on the ship. I had that on my list to do - well, it seems now I am glad I did not plan to do that visit this year to see the Conny. The last time I went to see her was a while back maybe before 2018 or so. All the cannons taken off - all the yards were taken down. I guess that must have been the beginning of the renovation or restoring. Man, I would have thought it would have been completed by now - that is really kind of upsetting to see an american icon taking so long to get done.

So, back to my project. Yes, by now, I am seriously considering selling my Conny as it is now - both Wales are nearly done. At least this will be a good starting point if someone wants to take up the task.

Why? usually, difficulties do not get to me like this. So, what is going on? Is it age (I am 67). I have some arthritis developing in my right hand and I can only build for about an hour and I have to take a long break. I feel like I want to move on to other short term models. Should I just press on. I love rigging, I hate planking the hull. Then on top of that, the hull has to be coppered. Now, Dry Dock Model and Parts has some very nice SCALE copper plates that have the simulated rivets. I bought two just to see if I want to continue this route, but that was many months ago.

If anyone wants to make an offer, I will consider it. The original kit box will be sent with all remaining parts. The Hull as is will be packed along with it - all in one container. Only in USA shipping. I might even consider paying for the shipping.
 
Donnie, I am 82 with stiff fingers, recovered from esophageal cancer , (thought the chemo and radiation were going to kill me), have ckd...each day I thank God for another day to spend with my awesome wife and four sons and one beautiful daughter...and am going from plastic to wood, using Mid Wests three kit comb.
If you love it, keep modelling. Take a break from the Connie, breaks are great for rejuvenating the soul. What ever you do, follow the path that's right for you!
 
Donnie, try a 3d puzzle for relaxing, quick, easy and look great, look for the Vatican puzzle or the US Capital, fun to do, look great and a relaxing respite from the wood!
 
Donnie said:
I am going to depart completely away from the Practicum I am following and (even the plans) as I wish to have more of a modern look of the hatches. Therefore, I am building up my own frame - but - keeping in spec with the height which is 7/16" in height.
I removed all the grates from the lazer cut piece and made my own frame.

Here are the sizes I used:
5/64 x 1/8 for the grating trim. (as this trim is the exact thickness of the grates).
1/8 x 1/4 for the frame
1/16 x 1/16 for the hatch supporting cleats.




I used RED OAK stain and GOLDEN OAK for the project. I think it looks very close to the real thing. Nothing has been glued down yet.
Click to expand...
It is great that we have the original ship as a reference.
 
Fred, The Constitution as she sits today in the Charleston Navy Yard is not much of a reference. Throughout the Nineteenth century she underwent a number of major repairs, each time incorporating the latest advances in warship design. This is understandable as she was considered either an active member of the fleet or a Midshipman training vessel until the early Twentieth century.

In the 1920’s she underwent another major repair. There are photos of her in drydock with all of her planking removed. Unfortunately, the Navy did not and has never since taken the opportunity to remove and replace these anachronistic features. Most noticeable is her Victorian era boxed in head structure, and too high quarterdeck bulwarks.

During this 1920 repair the Navy did document the ship and the resulting plans are available to the general public. The available kits are based on these plans showing her 1920’s appearance.

In the 1990’s she was repaired again to ready her for her brief and highly publicized performance under sail. While the Navy spent large sums of money on this, the budget did not include an effort to return her to her appearance when she fought to defend our interests.

The US National Park Service has very strict rules for historic preservation. These require structures including ships seeking National Historic Landmark Status to be restored to their “Period of Historic Significance.” In Constitution’s case this would probably be the period around 1812. Unfortunately since she is owned by the Navy they don’t have to follow these rules. Instead she is used as a publicity and recruiting tool, where the uninformed public thinks that she’s “cool”.

Roger
 
Donnie said:
I really appreciate the positive feedback -- also thank you Tim for the update on the ship. I had that on my list to do - well, it seems now I am glad I did not plan to do that visit this year to see the Conny. The last time I went to see her was a while back maybe before 2018 or so. All the cannons taken off - all the yards were taken down. I guess that must have been the beginning of the renovation or restoring. Man, I would have thought it would have been completed by now - that is really kind of upsetting to see an american icon taking so long to get done.

So, back to my project. Yes, by now, I am seriously considering selling my Conny as it is now - both Wales are nearly done. At least this will be a good starting point if someone wants to take up the task.

Why? usually, difficulties do not get to me like this. So, what is going on? Is it age (I am 67). I have some arthritis developing in my right hand and I can only build for about an hour and I have to take a long break. I feel like I want to move on to other short term models. Should I just press on. I love rigging, I hate planking the hull. Then on top of that, the hull has to be coppered. Now, Dry Dock Model and Parts has some very nice SCALE copper plates that have the simulated rivets. I bought two just to see if I want to continue this route, but that was many months ago.

If anyone wants to make an offer, I will consider it. The original kit box will be sent with all remaining parts. The Hull as is will be packed along with it - all in one container. Only in USA shipping. I might even consider paying for the shipping.
Click to expand...
Donnie,

I am 71 years old, and my wife and I celebrated our 50th anniversary a few months ago. I do suffer minor arthritis in both hands but I still spend hours modeling. I hope that I never quit, at least until I have breathed my last. But, pain is a limiting factor if we allow it!
 
Roger Pellett said:
Fred, The Constitution as she sits today in the Charleston Navy Yard is not much of a reference. Throughout the Nineteenth century she underwent a number of major repairs, each time incorporating the latest advances in warship design. This is understandable as she was considered either an active member of the fleet or a Midshipman training vessel until the early Twentieth century.

In the 1920’s she underwent another major repair. There are photos of her in drydock with all of her planking removed. Unfortunately, the Navy did not and has never since taken the opportunity to remove and replace these anachronistic features. Most noticeable is her Victorian era boxed in head structure, and too high quarterdeck bulwarks.

During this 1920 repair the Navy did document the ship and the resulting plans are available to the general public. The available kits are based on these plans showing her 1920’s appearance.

In the 1990’s she was repaired again to ready her for her brief and highly publicized performance under sail. While the Navy spent large sums of money on this, the budget did not include an effort to return her to her appearance when she fought to defend our interests.

The US National Park Service has very strict rules for historic preservation. These require structures including ships seeking National Historic Landmark Status to be restored to their “Period of Historic Significance.” In Constitution’s case this would probably be the period around 1812. Unfortunately since she is owned by the Navy they don’t have to follow these rules. Instead she is used as a publicity and recruiting tool, where the uninformed public thinks that she’s “cool”.

Roger
Click to expand...
Thanks Roger,
As a member of the USS Constitution Model Shipwright Guild, we have this discussion frequently. It is still great to have a ship from the 18th century still in the water and available for the public to visit. Even if there is a very small amount of the original ship, as most of it has been replaced over the years. All though it is currently closed during the government shut down.
 
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