Staghound...Extreme clipper 1850 by rwiederrich 1/96

[GIG1810]

Hey Rob,

wow, very nice work again. But I'm really amazed that she had such a long jib boom. The madness..... op work, as always ...

 

[rwiederrich]

Hey Rob,

wow, very nice work again. But I'm really amazed that she had such a long jib boom. The madness..... op work, as always ...

Yeah...her bowsprit/jibbooms together were over 85ft long. Not entirely unheard of for that early clipper design. Part of the extreme clipper idea was to set a ridiculous amount of canvas....to capture as much wind as possible...to speed them along. As mentioned in other places, the flying jib was used on earlier packets and frigates. McKay, most likely incorporated this feature in his design of Staghound. From what I gather, it wasn't till Lightning was built, (four years later), that McKay re-introduced the flying jibboom again...in a more modified form.
Thanks for the fine compliments. I will be remaking the flying jibboom to mimic a more robust and extended doubling design. One McKay most likely used on her.
Pics will follow.

Rob

 

[rwiederrich]

Rob,
If we didn't have rock-solid documentation from multiple sources about the full length of the bowsprit it would appear that we're being excessive. In this case, relocating Cornelius McKay's small sail plan is a godsend as it confirms the spars of Stag Hound.

So true Rich. And we can also deduce from this, that McKay drew heavily from the rigging practices of the time...and as they quickly evolved...his designs followed suite. Flying jibbooms were popular in some rigging designs and not so with others. Proof....that the aim was to achieve the fastest combination of hull and sail plan. Resulting in many examples of *try this with that* mentality. To go faster, hulls shapes evolved....Rigging evolved, sail plans evolved. We can see clearly, that the first of the California clippers drew from earlier successes, laid down many years earlier......but became obsolete in the wake of rapidly developing new and efficient ideas.

Rob

 

[rwiederrich]

I remade the flying jibboom.

Rob

 

[rwiederrich]

Added the bobstays.

Rob

 

[rwiederrich]

I added the temp masts to prep for mast lengths and doubling distances.

Rob

 

[Peter Voogt]

I remade the flying jibboom.

Rob

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Added the bobstays.

Rob

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I added the temp masts to prep for mast lengths and doubling distances.

Rob

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A impressive jibboom, Rob. And the bobstays give her some elegant lines. And the impression of the masts ……. She is great!
Regards, Peter

 

[ClipperFan]

So true Rich. And we can also deduce from this, that McKay drew heavily from the rigging practices of the time...and as they quickly evolved...his designs followed suite. Flying jibbooms were popular in some rigging designs and not so with others. Proof....that the aim was to achieve the fastest combination of hull and sail plan. Resulting in many examples of *try this with that* mentality. To go faster, hulls shapes evolved....Rigging evolved, sail plans evolved. We can see clearly, that the first of the California clippers drew from earlier successes, laid down many years earlier......but became obsolete in the wake of rapidly developing new and efficient ideas.

Rob

Rob, what's also apparent from the few contemporary pieces of art we have of her is that this 22' flying jibboom extension was soon ditched after her launch, since they depict a shorter bowsprit. The one concern I would have of a such a long spar would be the chance of burying it in the massive seas of Cape Horn... in such a case it could lead to bringing down the top hamper of her foremast.

I remade the flying jibboom.

Rob

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Rob, your reworked flying jibboom looks more sensible and far more secure as I'm sure there would have been a recessed area in the cap to secure it too. Crazy how long this is. Even with multiple sources of confirmation it just looks so lengthy compared to what we're familiar with.

 

[rwiederrich]

Indeed. It was nearly routine for alterations to be made to original rig designs. Like I mentioned earlier and as you yourself mentioned just now. Driving an overly extended jibboom into a raging wave caused many dismasting of clippers.

The McKay drawing of her sail plan, clearly shows her vary long flying jib……as she was most likely originally designed. That is how she will be represented here.

Rob

 

[ClipperFan]

Indeed. It was nearly routine for alterations to be made to original rig designs. Like I mentioned earlier and as you yourself mentioned just now. Driving an overly extended jibboom into a raging wave caused many dismasting of clippers.

The McKay drawing of her sail plan, clearly shows her vary long flying jib……as she was most likely originally designed. That is how she will be represented here.

Rob

Rob, by the time she's fully rigged with her very lofty masts and very long bowsprit combined with her 40" at half-floor body, people will finally see what an extreme clipper was.

 

[GIG1810]

Rob, by the time she's fully rigged with her very lofty masts and very long bowsprit combined with her 40" at half-floor body, people will finally see what an extreme clipper was.

I think I can already see what an incredible ship this was. But I also recognise how Rob builds it wonderfully here in the build report with the greatest care and love. Simply world class! Respect!!!

 

[rwiederrich]

Thanks Gentlemen. I try to do my best. And I've surely made my share of mistakes and taken many shortcuts to get to where I am currently with this build.
I apologies for not being so active as of late. I have been helping my daughter and son-n-law move across town. I hope to be spending more time in the shipyard and finishing up some minor details as I prepare for the making of the lower masts.
I'll probably make all the masts ....before I begin with the mizzen first(as is my habit), to rig the yards and then move forward. One full mast at a time.

Rob