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Thanks Albert and thanks everyone for the likes and for looking in. Just when I get a good head of steam, I’ll be taking a break for five days. We’re going up to the mountains to go hiking with the family.
Bill
Bill
Yes, there were changes to the transom over time. The lower picture that shows the two windows in the transom is the earlier one. One source I read mentioned that there was an accident at one point when someone put the bow of a whaleboat astern through one of the windows. At that point the windows were removed and the two small round scuttles replaced them. I am unsure and can't say when the carved eagle was mounted on the transom. It appears contemporaneously with the round scuttles in all the pictures I've ever seen. I've never seen the eagle on the windowed transom.
As with most working vessels, changes were continuous throughout the Morgan's working life. I have been unable to locate/re-locate information on the hurricane house, although I have a recollection reading somewhere that it was added following her launching, But for the life of me, I can't recall where in my library it might be. The hurricane house is the boxed in poop deck structure that contains the galley and, IIRC at the moment, the bosun's cabin. It just doesn't look like it was designed along with the rest of the ship, although it makes perfect sense as it provides shelter for the helmsman and additional flat storage for boats and spars.
I have also read in a book on the Morgan that as launched she carried her windlass directly abaft the foremast, but that the windlass was later relocated on the foredeck forward of the foremast. While at first glance, one might expect the windlass where it is currently found in the bows, placing it aft of the foremast would make perfect sense because that's where it would be most convenient for use at sea handling the flensing hooks and gear and the windlass would get far more use in that enterprise than in handling the ground tackle. Notably, the Morgan's anchor rode chains are led aft to the chain locker chain pipes located on deck to port and starboard of the mainmast. While there's perhaps some advantage to weight distribution stowing the chain amidships, it would seem that there would be sufficient other weight stowed to counterbalance the chain were it to be stowed further forward. It does seem to be un-seamanlike to have the anchor chain laying on deck between the windlass forward and the mainmast, right through the middle of the tri-works area.
If anybody can provide more information on what the Morgan looked like as built in 1840, I'd be very interested to know. The Morgan is one of my "back burner" research projects for a future scratch build depicting her as she was originally when launched. (The world is full of Morgan models of her later configurations.) I have the old Marine Models plans which were drawn up in the late 1930's, IIRC, shortly before she was transferred to Mystic Seaport. I don't have the Mystic Seaport drawings, although they are as she is presently, or as of her last major restoration, I believe, which isn't exactly what I'm looking for. If anybody can steer me to some relevant information, I'd be much obliged.
Hello everyone,
Back from our getaway to the mountains. Now it's back to work.
I've gotten the planksheer installed. Now I am working on the bulwark stanchions and the main rail. I decided to set the main rail in place, before I set the stanchions. In the picture, you can see where I have glued blocks, at the correct height for the main rail, on top of the planksheer to where I will set the main rail into place. After the main rail is in place, I will install the stanchions. In the second picture, I have made a jig to insure the stanchion angle is correct and that the stanchion is placed in the correct position to allow correct placement of the bulwark planks.
Bill
Back from our getaway to the mountains. Now it's back to work.
I've gotten the planksheer installed. Now I am working on the bulwark stanchions and the main rail. I decided to set the main rail in place, before I set the stanchions. In the picture, you can see where I have glued blocks, at the correct height for the main rail, on top of the planksheer to where I will set the main rail into place. After the main rail is in place, I will install the stanchions. In the second picture, I have made a jig to insure the stanchion angle is correct and that the stanchion is placed in the correct position to allow correct placement of the bulwark planks.
Bill
Hello everyone,
I've gotten half of the bulwark stanchions and main rail into place. My little jig (I had to modify it for it to work correctly) worked well in getting everything aligned correctly.
Bill
I've gotten half of the bulwark stanchions and main rail into place. My little jig (I had to modify it for it to work correctly) worked well in getting everything aligned correctly.
Bill
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2022
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- 1,475
- Points
- 443
This looks very smart. It’s a part of the build that some struggle with so I’m watching carefully. I like your alignment jig.
Are the stanchions keyed into the rail as well as the plank sheer or are they a simple butt joint?
Hi Smithy,
The stanchions are just butt jointed. I'm not sure why the planksheer has indexing holes, because they are smaller than the stanchions.
Thanks everyone for the likes.
Bill
The stanchions are just butt jointed. I'm not sure why the planksheer has indexing holes, because they are smaller than the stanchions.
Thanks everyone for the likes.
Bill
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2022
- Messages
- 1,475
- Points
- 443
Oh. I assumed the stanchions were laser cut to fit those holes. How odd.
I have found that there are a lot of oddities with this kit. This kit has been around for quite some time and it may have gone through a lot of changes throughout the years. Just a guess.
Bill
Bill
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- Dec 3, 2022
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- 443
Same as the Morgan herself then.
Hello everyone,
I have the main rail, bulwark stanchions and the stern frames installed. I don't like the way the stern frames turned out, so I will be replacing them. The inner stern rails did not align well with the outer stern rails. After that, I am going to start on planking the stern.
Bill
I have the main rail, bulwark stanchions and the stern frames installed. I don't like the way the stern frames turned out, so I will be replacing them. The inner stern rails did not align well with the outer stern rails. After that, I am going to start on planking the stern.
Bill
Hello everyone and thanks for the likes.
I have started working on the stern. Most of the planking is in place. I need to determine how the planking wraps around the bottom of the stern. I haven't seen any pictures that clearly shows how this is accomplished.
Bill
I have started working on the stern. Most of the planking is in place. I need to determine how the planking wraps around the bottom of the stern. I haven't seen any pictures that clearly shows how this is accomplished.
Bill
- Joined
- Oct 9, 2020
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- 2,160
- Points
- 488
Looks like a fun kit to build.
Your framing looks great. Congratulations
Your framing looks great. Congratulations
- Joined
- Oct 9, 2020
- Messages
- 2,160
- Points
- 488
I wonder if it is done the same way as the Constitution? Here is how the Constitution is done. The plank is wrapped around as shown by the tape and ends at the rabbit
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The counter( I think that's what it is called) tucks under. I'm not sure if the planking follows it around.
Bill
Bill
Hi Bob,
Great pictures! That clears up everything. Thanks for the pictures.
Bill
Great pictures! That clears up everything. Thanks for the pictures.
Bill
Hello everyone,
I've gotten the stern all planked. I still need to do some finish sanding and adjustments. Thanks Bob again for the pictures. They made it clear to see what needed to done.
Bill
I've gotten the stern all planked. I still need to do some finish sanding and adjustments. Thanks Bob again for the pictures. They made it clear to see what needed to done.
Bill
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2022
- Messages
- 1,475
- Points
- 443
Nice job! It seems that the stern was the tricky part. The run of the hull planks into the stern looks relatively easy.
Do you expect planking troubles at the bow? Is it bluff or fine, I can’t remember.
Hi Smithy,
Thanks. I agree, the stern appears to be the key to planking. I needed to get the stern done first. I would call her a bluff bow. At the moment, I don’t see any problem with the bow. The way the planking wraps around the stern will have its challenges.
Bill
Thanks. I agree, the stern appears to be the key to planking. I needed to get the stern done first. I would call her a bluff bow. At the moment, I don’t see any problem with the bow. The way the planking wraps around the stern will have its challenges.
Bill