BALDER, Vlaardingen Herring Lugger from 1912, scratch build scale 1:50 Plate-On-Frame

[BradNSW]

You earn the three S's! Superb, Stupendous, Stunning!!

We always get excited when you post progress on this wonderful, unique and VERY WELL-DONE replica!!

 

[Peter Voogt]

Beautifully detailed stoves, Peter!

Fantastic work and detail at that small scale.
Bill

SEMPLICEMENTE ECCEZIONALE!
SIMPLE OUTSTANDING!

Always exceptional!

You earn the three S's! Superb, Stupendous, Stunning!!
We always get excited when you post progress on this wonderful, unique and VERY WELL-DONE replica!!

Thanks for this replies with nice compliments, Guys. That keeps me motivated.
Regards, Peter

 

[GrantTyler]

But to be honest I don’t think there are many modellers able to produce such fine work as yours and to this degree.

True story

 

[Peter Voogt]

True story

Thanks, Grant.

 

[Peter Voogt]

AL-FI is definitely looking over my shoulder when I'm building the Donkey Boiler.
Based on the drawing, I've estimated the dimensions: height 28 mm and diameter 14 mm. Let's see if this will be a successful attempt:

1: Starting point: a piece of 12 mm beech.
2: Under the fire room door and above the boiler shutter, secured with two bolted clamps.
3: I started cladding the boiler for insulation and safety. I used 1.05 x 0.65 mm slats. This was actually waste from sawing the deck planks. But who saves anything ........ With the example drawing next to it.

I had already blackened the slats themselves with black Schmincke Aero Color Professional. To sand off the fibers once dry before gluing the pieces to the boiler, which then would make it difficult to sand. A pigment ink that I also used a lot on my Bluenose. Because this is thin, I had an idea... wouldn't this be suitable for stoves? I first tried it on the back, which isn't visible. With a result that I'm satisfied with:

I lightened the photo a bit because all the black obscures many details. But fortunately also an unevenness of the parts.
After two coats, it achieved a smooth, matte finish. Ovens that are cherished by the crew and cleaned and maintained from time to time with "stove black." Yes, I remember that from the past. My mother used it to maintain the coal stove in our house. And I remember cleaning the windows with wads of newspaper. That still works very well, by the way. But that's beside the point .....
Regards, Peter

 

[Daniel20]

Very inventive with the donkey boiler, I wonder how it got its name.

 

[dockattner]

And I remember cleaning the windows with wads of newspaper.

My grandmother tasked me with the same. I recall clean windows and dirty hands from the news-print...

 

[Peter Voogt]

Very inventive with the donkey boiler, I wonder how it got its name.

Thanks, Daniel. What I can find is that below deck workers such as stokers and fireman were also called donkey-men.
But I'm also curious about the origin.
Regards, Peter

 

[Peter Voogt]

My grandmother tasked me with the same. I recall clean windows and dirty hands from the news-print...

First the newspaper brings the story from someone else to you and in its second life it now brings the black from ......

 

[Peter Voogt]

Yesterday I had a pleasant day in the area where I grew up in my youth. An organization in Maassluis, together with one in Vlaardingen, organizes their so-called "Rondje Zoet en Zout" ("Fresh and Salt Tour"):

You first travel by horse and carriage through the Vlietlanden region of Vlaardingen to an old rest stop along the old tow canal route between Vlaardingen and Delft near Schipluiden:

Everything is very relaxed; cars simply wait until everyone has disembarked. Also a lovely rest stop for cyclists along a beautiful cycling route.

Then a transfer to a tow barge to sail across the canals to Maassluis. That's the 'Fresh water':

In my post about 'De Spil' (The Spil), I already wrote about the old tow canal routes. In this photo, you see a bridge whose characteristics are preserved. On the water side, the railing extends all the way to the ground on both sides. In the past, ships were pulled through the canal by a rope, and thanks to this construction, the rope didn't get caught on the railing. There are also bridges with a lower railing on the water side fencing for the same purpose.

Maassluis has long been the home port of the Smit towing company. Several well-maintained seagoing tugs are still moored in the inner and outer harbors:

The Furie, the only seagoing steam tug still sailing:

The Hudson:

The Elbe:

All beautifully lined seagoing tugs. A travel tip: Maassluis has the "Tugboat Museum," with many beautiful ship models.

Then the Balder arrived in the harbor. The beginning of the voyage on the "Salt Water":

First, a quick turnaround in the harbor before mooring.

Before departure, a brief harbor closure:

Just like three weeks ago during "sHaring the City." The MS Rotterdam is currently on three-weekly cruises from Rotterdam.

Sailing is not an option at this busy gateway to the Rotterdam ports, the 'Nieuwe Waterweg':


In the background, you can just see the white structure of the Maeslantkering barrier, which can close off the Nieuwe Waterweg at high tide. This ensures that Rotterdam and the surrounding area stay dry.

I got some time to measure a few things:

The chimneys for the stoves and Donkey Boiler I am now working on.

And I was also allowed to use the tiller for a while. Keeping the Balder on course:

A hand tackle on either side of the tiller helps with steering when heavier forces are applied.

After a good hour, the port of Vlaardingen came into view. A lock provides access to the inner harbor:

With its high bow, the helmsman doesn't have a clear view of what's directly ahead. The Balder has two volunteers authorized to sail her. Here, one gives instructions to the other: a touch starboard, a touch port, straight ahead...

It all fits just fine.

A very relaxing afternoon, together with my two sisters and our partners.
Hopefully you appreciate this short photoshoot. Perhaps it might serve as inspiration.
Regards, Peter

 

[DomCee]

A very splendid way to spend some time Peter!

 

[GrantTyler]

Yesterday I had a pleasant day in the area where I grew up in my youth. An organization in Maassluis, together with one in Vlaardingen, organizes their so-called "Rondje Zoet en Zout" ("Fresh and Salt Tour"):
View attachment 535756
You first travel by horse and carriage through the Vlietlanden region of Vlaardingen to an old rest stop along the old tow canal route between Vlaardingen and Delft near Schipluiden:
View attachment 535757
Everything is very relaxed; cars simply wait until everyone has disembarked. Also a lovely rest stop for cyclists along a beautiful cycling route.

Then a transfer to a tow barge to sail across the canals to Maassluis. That's the 'Fresh water':
View attachment 535758
In my post about 'De Spil' (The Spil), I already wrote about the old tow canal routes. In this photo, you see a bridge whose characteristics are preserved. On the water side, the railing extends all the way to the ground on both sides. In the past, ships were pulled through the canal by a rope, and thanks to this construction, the rope didn't get caught on the railing. There are also bridges with a lower railing on the water side fencing for the same purpose.

Maassluis has long been the home port of the Smit towing company. Several well-maintained seagoing tugs are still moored in the inner and outer harbors:
View attachment 535759
The Furie, the only seagoing steam tug still sailing:
View attachment 535760
The Hudson:
View attachment 535761
The Elbe:
View attachment 535762
All beautifully lined seagoing tugs. A travel tip: Maassluis has the "Tugboat Museum," with many beautiful ship models.

Then the Balder arrived in the harbor. The beginning of the voyage on the "Salt Water":
View attachment 535763
First, a quick turnaround in the harbor before mooring.

Before departure, a brief harbor closure:
View attachment 535764
Just like three weeks ago during "sHaring the City." The MS Rotterdam is currently on three-weekly cruises from Rotterdam.

Sailing is not an option at this busy gateway to the Rotterdam ports, the 'Nieuwe Waterweg':
View attachment 535765
View attachment 535771
In the background, you can just see the white structure of the Maeslantkering barrier, which can close off the Nieuwe Waterweg at high tide. This ensures that Rotterdam and the surrounding area stay dry.

I got some time to measure a few things:
View attachment 535767
The chimneys for the stoves and Donkey Boiler I am now working on.

And I was also allowed to use the tiller for a while. Keeping the Balder on course:
View attachment 535768
A hand tackle on either side of the tiller helps with steering when heavier forces are applied.

After a good hour, the port of Vlaardingen came into view. A lock provides access to the inner harbor:
View attachment 535769
With its high bow, the helmsman doesn't have a clear view of what's directly ahead. The Balder has two volunteers authorized to sail her. Here, one gives instructions to the other: a touch starboard, a touch port, straight ahead...
View attachment 535770
It all fits just fine.

A very relaxing afternoon, together with my two sisters and our partners.
Hopefully you appreciate this short photoshoot. Perhaps it might serve as inspiration.
Regards, Peter

Good afternoon Peter. What a pleasant way to spend a Saturday. It must be quite a benefit to go on the boat you are building. Get all those little things just right. Cheers Grant

 

[dockattner]

How wonderful, Peter. I'm happy you got to experience all that!

 

[Daniel20]

Wonderful photography Peter. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Jimsky]

What a wonderful day to unwind and connect with Mother Nature, Peter. By the way, how did you come to meet your vis-à-vis? I'm curious about the story behind your encounter.

 

[Peter Voogt]

A very splendid way to spend some time Peter!

Good afternoon Peter. What a pleasant way to spend a Saturday. It must be quite a benefit to go on the boat you are building. Get all those little things just right. Cheers Grant

How wonderful, Peter. I'm happy you got to experience all that!

Wonderful photography Peter. Thanks for sharing.

What a wonderful day to unwind and connect with Mother Nature, Peter.

Thank you for the quick replies, my friends! Just posted and already this .....

By the way, how did you come to meet your vis-à-vis? I'm curious about the story behind your encounter.

To get a good impression of all the construction stages and the components of the objects, I visit the Balder quite regularly. I also have excellent contact with the board and the volunteers. Naturally, they kept me informed of all the activities. And just like with "sHaring the City," they invited me to be there with my model. They'll be doing this more often in the future.
This is the third year they've been doing this "Zoet en Zout' tour. You just have make a booking on time, because the Balder is certified to carry 12 passengers. I have no idea how many crew members are required/allowed. Maybe they counted me as one of them yesterday .....

The Balder will also be a guest at the --> World Port Days <-- in Rotterdam in early September. Beforehand, they'll be real sailing the Balder on the 'Hollands Diep'. She'll also be sailing offshore across the North Sea:

Unfortunately, then I'll be spending a week traveling through Switzerland with my Admiral on various trains ...... I don't think I should bother her about a trip cancellation.
I'm certain the Balder will sail many more times, and I'll be there.
Regards, Peter

 

[Jimsky]

This is the third year they've been doing this "Zoet en Zout' tour. You just have make a booking on time, because the Balder is certified to carry 12 passengers. I have no idea how many crew members are required/allowed. Maybe they counted me as one of them yesterday .....

I'm not the least bit surprised - the way you command the helm in that photo speaks volumes. It’s a quiet but powerful testament to your connection with the vessel. By the way, I am wondering: why are there two handles, next to each other, on the helm?

 

[Steef66]

These trips are the best. Must be a great day for you.

 

[Peter Voogt]

By the way, I am wondering: why are there two handles, next to each other, on the helm?

It are just 2 belaying pins. Perhaps this photo will make it clearer:

This was the moment we were just leaving the harbor in front of that marker post, and just started to steer to port.
The running end of the port tackle is looped over the tiller and he's slung it around his back and holding it in his right hand. The running end of the starboard tackle is also gripping the same. A moment later, he releases the port rope and pulls with the pin on the tiller and on the starboard rope to get the tackle to help turning the rudder. If the forces last longer, he could temporarily secure the rope with a turn around the pin.
On the right, my Admiral watches with great interest the hard work required for these kinds of maneuvers, while I can comfortably capture it in a photo.
And there are 2 belaying pins to secure both ropes when the tiller could be hold in position for longer time.
PS: In the old light behind the mast, they've now ingeniously accommodated all the necessary navigation equipment. Once moored, it can be folded up and you'll no longer see it.
Regards, Peter

 

[GreenArcher]

After the rather intensive weeks leading up to the "sHaring the City" meeting, where I wanted to show my Balder in a somewhat presentable way with the spray-painted hull plates, I needed some time to get new energy.

I started working on both stoves. They are solid sheet steel stoves:
View attachment 534783
The left one is in the galley and the right one is in the forecastle.

The galley, however, is in the starboard section:
View attachment 534784
That's why I was already planking the alcove and adding a section of flooring. That will be the only part of this construction section that's been fitted out.

And the position of the stove in the forecastle:
View attachment 534785
For the detail-lovers: the stove has four lashing eyes for extra securing in rough weather. And a few of the "stoppekiste" have been replaced with ones in a more acceptable color .......

It will be a while before I spray-paint both stoves black. First, I still have to make the two stovepipes. In the galley, that won't be much of a problem. However, the one in the forecastle also opens onto the starboard side ....... so that will have to be divisible as well ..........

To avoid cleaning the air-brush to often, I'm now going to start working on the Donkey Boiler:
View attachment 534786
Which I'm building based on this drawing and an old photo. That will be the next challenge ......
Regards, Peter

After the rather intensive weeks leading up to the "sHaring the City" meeting, where I wanted to show my Balder in a somewhat presentable way with the spray-painted hull plates, I needed some time to get new energy.

I started working on both stoves. They are solid sheet steel stoves:
View attachment 534783
The left one is in the galley and the right one is in the forecastle.

The galley, however, is in the starboard section:
View attachment 534784
That's why I was already planking the alcove and adding a section of flooring. That will be the only part of this construction section that's been fitted out.

And the position of the stove in the forecastle:
View attachment 534785
For the detail-lovers: the stove has four lashing eyes for extra securing in rough weather. And a few of the "stoppekiste" have been replaced with ones in a more acceptable color .......

It will be a while before I spray-paint both stoves black. First, I still have to make the two stovepipes. In the galley, that won't be much of a problem. However, the one in the forecastle also opens onto the starboard side ....... so that will have to be divisible as well ..........

To avoid cleaning the air-brush to often, I'm now going to start working on the Donkey Boiler:
View attachment 534786
Which I'm building based on this drawing and an old photo. That will be the next challenge ......
Regards, Peter

Very nice project, I like very much, I had such a similar stove until 1995.

Regards Reinhold