Bonhomme Richard - Pear Cross section kit (with scratch duplicate using alder) Unicorn Model

Completed rigging the first cannon in "battle ready" configuration. The Inspector asked Midshipman Newbee why the figure 8 knots on the ends of the in/out-haul lines? He explained that Petty Officer Brutis said the knots keep the line from accidently going through the blocks. PO Brutis also said this is the way the lines are quickly laid during battle stations. They only get faked in "neat and tidy" circles during in-port inspections by the Squadron Commander. The inspector said PO Brutis is doing well, "showing you the ropes"!
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Shipyard will be "Going Mobile" again on Tuesday for a month. We're visiting the US breadbasket (Kansas and Iowa) before returning to the basement workshop in Colorado, to hole up for the winter.
 
Well, Unicorn got back to me on the block shortage. They said to contact ZHL, who I bought the kit through.

SOOO...I sent ZHL and e-mail and am hoping they will reply and be able to provide the missing 8 single and 8 double blocks so the cannon rigging can be completed!
 
Tobias,
It appears you spent some time reading through my build log. I appreciate your interest and time. Also the great number of likes. Coming from someone with your skills and talent it gives me confidence and encouragement to continue both the log and the model!
 
BradNSW said:
Tobias,
It appears you spent some time reading through my build log. I appreciate your interest and time. Also the great number of likes. Coming from someone with your skills and talent it gives me confidence and encouragement to continue both the log and the model!
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Brad,
you are absolutely right, your construction diary is simply fantastic, very interesting and informative. Your work reflects this in all phases of construction. On the one hand, it is the protocol itself and the fascination that you travel a lot, the discussion and your research, an absolutely great overall package. As for the manipulation of the guns, I can send you a few pictures tomorrow that I found in the Artillerie de Mar France 1650-1850.
 
BradNSW said:
Completed rigging the first cannon in "battle ready" configuration. The Inspector asked Midshipman Newbee why the figure 8 knots on the ends of the in/out-haul lines? He explained that Petty Officer Brutis said the knots keep the line from accidently going through the blocks. PO Brutis also said this is the way the lines are quickly laid during battle stations. They only get faked in "neat and tidy" circles during in-port inspections by the Squadron Commander. The inspector said PO Brutis is doing well, "showing you the ropes"!
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Shipyard will be "Going Mobile" again on Tuesday for a month. We're visiting the US breadbasket (Kansas and Iowa) before returning to the basement workshop in Colorado, to hole up for the winter.
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Stunning Brad
 
Amazing what they could do with ropes and tackle! So many configurations, from lifting the cannon from the carriage, to securing them against the bulkhead, for heavy seas!! The dimensions of the different cannons agree closely with what I've been using from Boudroit's BHR book. THANKS!!!
 
I bet the gun crews didn't have books to show them the many ways to secure a gun and carriage when at sea! The gun captian must have a good memory of process and procedures.

I have read somewhere the guns were secured hard to bulkhead more than 50% of time at sea and only made ready if a battle was soon to happen.
 
In-haul lines too short to show the cannon "run-in" for reloading???

Below photos show that the in-haul lines on this deck of the BHR kit would not be able completely pull the cannon in far enough to reload. Green space needs to be equal or greater than the red line.

I wanted to have one battery in the reload position.

inhaul line length BHR.jpg

The distances need to be like this drawing, where the red "in-haul" length IS Greater than the green line.
inhaul line length book.png

This "error" seems to be common on many models and kits. I will play with smaller blocks, less serving on the blocks (maybe even moving the eyebolt back to get more room). Hopefully I will be able to create enough room playing with the items in blue below:
inhaul line length BHR.jpg
 
Boudroit drawings also have the space for the in-haul ropes being too small to actually get the cannon barrel inside the hull to reload. B must = A plus room for two blocks, the rope and two attachment hooks. Assuming the blocks and hooks are 6 inches each, B must be at least a 1ft or 12inches more than A.

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From the drawings:
A = 1.23 inches
B = 1.26 inches

1.26-1.23 inches = .03 inches (divided by 1/4" scale = .12 feet or slightly less than 1.5 inches).

So, just like my model, we are at least a foot short from being able to haul in the cannon, so the muzzle is inside the gunport for reloading.

Is it possible the cannon protruded outside the port by a few inches during reloading?
 
BradNSW said:
Is it possible the cannon protruded outside the port by a few inches during reloading?
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I think so, Brad. On some ships, reloading was done only from outside, whereas some ships had a dedicated platform, and others reloaded through the gunport itself.
 
Rigging of the four cannons is complete. Three in the firing position and one is hauled in for reloading (or maybe maintenance?). As you see, the in-haul lines cannot bring the barrel of the cannon completely inside the gunport.
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Next, the shipyard will attempt to make and stage some of the tools found at the cannon stations (rammer, powder horn, worm, bucket, etc)
 
One gun station is complete. It is being prepared for a "training shot".

The training gun has:
1. A Ladle "in the barrel" delivering a load of powder.
2. A Sponge and Reamer on the deck, ready for action, after the cannon is discharged.
3. A water pail for the sponge. Wider at the bottom for stability. Also a cover, with a handle to keep water from sloshing onto the deck.
4. Been "hauled in" for the loading portion of the training exercise
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The other stations are "run-out" and not doing training. Each have their water pail staged. The "tools" (ladle, sponge, reamer) will be hung in the overhead.
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Shipyard at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchison, KS with 85 other big trucks that pull their trailers around the country! Lots of workshops and sharing of ideas...kind of like a ship modeling convention!
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