A long time ago when the world was still new, I had a new wife and a large house that needed major renovation. (The house that is). It came complete with a large attic and with no TV as a distraction I needed to fill my down time with something other than house repairs and decorating and so claimed the attic as my own space.
I was a frustrated sailor. I'd wanted to go to sea at 16 but The Mother put a very firm stop to that. Now, with a lot of hindsight, it was the best thing she ever did for me, but needless to say I really didn't appreciate that at the time!!
I had always fancied myself as Horatio Hornblower so I decided to build a model sailing ship. My inspiration was a picture on the wall torn from a magazine I think, of HMS Captain. I decided to call her Cassandra.
I had few tools, lots of balsa wood, a new fangled electric jigsaw and no plans of the ship whatsoever. With no internet I scoured our local library for information to no avail. The maritime museum in Liverpool hadn't been invented so I made the plans and build up as I went along.
I had intended for it to be radio controlled but couldn't afford the kit so had to settle for a simple sailing model.
I was so proud at the local model show at our boating lake. On her first outing she sailed beautifully, more or less in a straight line! One obnoxious child had a plastic submarine with a motor in it. He deliberately aimed it at my ship with every intent of hitting her amidships. Just as a collision seemed inevitable and the child was beside himself with glee, she backed her topsails, came to a halt allowing the submarine to pass under her bows and promptly went ahead again turning the sub upside down. The child had a chilly paddle to retrieve his toy. Such karma!!
After a few more outings and a few more ships - HMS Erebus, a first world war monitor with 12" guns and radio control, an SS Grreat Britain paddle steamer with internal lights and a poor 1800 frigate that sank after hitting ice and then about 1980 I finally hit the big time. My boss bought a yacht. After many years I have finally ended up having all the sailing I ever want with my own bed to sleep in when I've had enough. Thanks mum!
I have owned a 43' gentleman's yacht, a motor ketch called Soleil d'Or. If you want to check her out she is on the British register of historic ships. Sadly she got too expensive and time consuming whilst I was busy running 3 passenger boats so she had to go. I still sail in a little tiny Westerly Warwick and am a Master Boatman and Yachtmaster. The best cure for sea sickness is to sit under an apple tree.
Back to Cassandra. I have treasured her. She has moved house with me numerous times, been investigated by cats, dogs and children and now we seem to have finally come to rest in South Wales. After all her travels she is in a bit of a state. Her rigging is worn out and fragile. Her main mast was broken and repaired twice by my father (not a model maker!). I was going to let her gently fall to pieces but having enjoyed myself so much with The Covid Ship I have decided to give her a make over.
Where to start??? I've taken the masts off. Easily done as she was designed to go in the back of the car without them. The decks are very sad so I am renewing them along with all the deck furniture. Just for starters!
I hope to post pictures - if I can find them and copy them - of how she was on the water. In the mean time here are a few of how she is right now.
I was a frustrated sailor. I'd wanted to go to sea at 16 but The Mother put a very firm stop to that. Now, with a lot of hindsight, it was the best thing she ever did for me, but needless to say I really didn't appreciate that at the time!!
I had always fancied myself as Horatio Hornblower so I decided to build a model sailing ship. My inspiration was a picture on the wall torn from a magazine I think, of HMS Captain. I decided to call her Cassandra.
I had few tools, lots of balsa wood, a new fangled electric jigsaw and no plans of the ship whatsoever. With no internet I scoured our local library for information to no avail. The maritime museum in Liverpool hadn't been invented so I made the plans and build up as I went along.
I had intended for it to be radio controlled but couldn't afford the kit so had to settle for a simple sailing model.
I was so proud at the local model show at our boating lake. On her first outing she sailed beautifully, more or less in a straight line! One obnoxious child had a plastic submarine with a motor in it. He deliberately aimed it at my ship with every intent of hitting her amidships. Just as a collision seemed inevitable and the child was beside himself with glee, she backed her topsails, came to a halt allowing the submarine to pass under her bows and promptly went ahead again turning the sub upside down. The child had a chilly paddle to retrieve his toy. Such karma!!
After a few more outings and a few more ships - HMS Erebus, a first world war monitor with 12" guns and radio control, an SS Grreat Britain paddle steamer with internal lights and a poor 1800 frigate that sank after hitting ice and then about 1980 I finally hit the big time. My boss bought a yacht. After many years I have finally ended up having all the sailing I ever want with my own bed to sleep in when I've had enough. Thanks mum!
I have owned a 43' gentleman's yacht, a motor ketch called Soleil d'Or. If you want to check her out she is on the British register of historic ships. Sadly she got too expensive and time consuming whilst I was busy running 3 passenger boats so she had to go. I still sail in a little tiny Westerly Warwick and am a Master Boatman and Yachtmaster. The best cure for sea sickness is to sit under an apple tree.
Back to Cassandra. I have treasured her. She has moved house with me numerous times, been investigated by cats, dogs and children and now we seem to have finally come to rest in South Wales. After all her travels she is in a bit of a state. Her rigging is worn out and fragile. Her main mast was broken and repaired twice by my father (not a model maker!). I was going to let her gently fall to pieces but having enjoyed myself so much with The Covid Ship I have decided to give her a make over.
Where to start??? I've taken the masts off. Easily done as she was designed to go in the back of the car without them. The decks are very sad so I am renewing them along with all the deck furniture. Just for starters!
I hope to post pictures - if I can find them and copy them - of how she was on the water. In the mean time here are a few of how she is right now.
