Clipper Ship Build Thoughts

Rob, your description of your house sounds and looks a lot like mine. Congratulations on 40 years and the blessing of an understanding and supportive wife. After all: Greater love hath no woman than she would give up large portions of her abode to her husband's ship models (paintings) etc. etc. :rolleyes:

Pete
 
Bill-R said:
Hello everyone,

Doing some more research on the Flying Cloud. Looking at the deck furniture, information always shows parts being painted blue. Does anyone know what shade blue it is. Looking at historical paint colors, the shade of blue that is presented appears, to me, to be too bright for that time period. What are your thoughts?

Bill
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Bill,
The 1850s was between late Greek Revival and early Victorian for paint shades. Here's 3 Benjamin Moore samples from those eras. Pearl is not white but more like a mother-of-pearl shade. From JE Buttersworths pieces, it appears to be a shade close to very light yellow. This 1st sample is Greek Revival Maritime White.
Next is Bracken Blue, from Colonial Williamsburg collection.
Last is Victorian era Maritime Blue. Whichever choice is made, it's very clear Donald McKay really liked this choice, almost all of his vessels are pearl offset with white, waterways blue. Even his Sovereign of the Seas was buff colored, offset with white and her waterways also were blue. I would find a shade you feel most comfortable with, with this caveat that shades look darker on smaller objects. These three shades give you a general idea of authentic exterior colors of the 1850s.

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Back about 1991 Eric Ronnberg published an article in the Nautical Research Journal about Nineteenth Century paint colors and how to make subtle modifications for scale effect. An abridged form was at one time included on the Guild’s website and is included in volume II (?) of their shop notes. I highly recommend it.

There are also websites that explain how to mix old colors by the names that they were once called. For example a popular color was “straw,” a mixture of yellow and white. Pearl might be included.

Roger
 
Interesting……Crothers claims pearl is slightly bluish white……almost an opaque blue/white….. Of course , with white offsets/highlights.

Personally, I prefer a more naturally warn look to my colors. Faded by sun and waves .

Rob
 
rwiederrich said:
Gongrats to both Peter and Bill. A true milestone. A true testament to your enduring and faithful love for the woman you chose to live life with.

I'm going on my 40th this month myself...and as you both attested too, my wife too, supports my hobbies. Far more then I deserve...since my house's decor is more of that of a museum, then the simplicity of a day to day functioning home.
I have three large models in my library and Glory of the Seas at its entrance. Now I'll have to find room for the Staghound.

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Rob,
Congratulations to you and your sweetheart on your coming 40th Anniversary! It's definitely life's best blessing to have a wonderful lifelong companion. She must truly appreciate a maritime presence. Then again, everything you do is "top shelf" so at least you don't give her anything to be disappointed in.
 
Funny……she always likes to show off my models and my library. She calls it the, “Eye Spy room”. You can sit in it for hours and search for hidden treasures. She sometimes complains , but, always is first to show off everything.
Especially when she says, It took him 2-5 years to finish this.

Just my living room from our love seat.

Rob

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Bill-R said:
Thanks for the color information. I agree that the pearl would have a little yellow mixed in with the white.

Bill
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Bill,
You're welcome. What I found surprising is how the 1850s falls between Greek Revival and Victorian, so that either era could be appropriate. These shades aren't necessarily what I would choose, only to give you an idea of a direction to do your research. My only suggestion is that the blue was most likely complimentary with both pearl and buff.
 
rwiederrich said:
Funny……she always likes to show off my models and my library. She calls it the, “Eye Spy room”. You can sit in it for hours and search for hidden treasures. She sometimes complains , but, always is first to show off everything.
Especially when she says, It took him 2-5 years to finish this.

Just my living room from our love seat.

Rob

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Rob,
I have a strong suspicion your better half is your biggest cheerleader too.
Seriously, Peg and I have stayed in eastshore bed & breakfasts that have been nowhere as impressive as your home. Thanks for sharing these beautiful images of your museum like home.
 
As a restorer of antique furniture, my specialty was restoring old finishes, mostly shellac. There was the aesthetic of the original as it was made to be. Then the aesthetic imparted by the years. My job was not to make it look like new, but to conserve and preserve the patina, texture and color that only the years could impart. Yet return the piece to the customer in a beautiful as well as useful condition with all the beauty that only the years could impart intact.
So, Rob, I have a particular appreciation for your appreciation of the look of finish exposed to and informed by the years and elements of use.

My wife, as well as yours, is the first to show everything off to new visitors. We are, indeed, fortunate. Thumbsup

Pete
 
Peter Gutterman said:
As a restorer of antique furniture, my specialty was restoring old finishes, mostly shellac. There was the aesthetic of the original as it was made to be. Then the aesthetic imparted by the years. My job was not to make it look like new, but to conserve and preserve the patina, texture and color that only the years could impart. Yet return the piece to the customer in a beautiful as well as useful condition with all the beauty that only the years could impart intact.
So, Rob, I have a particular appreciation for your appreciation of the look of finish exposed to and informed by the years and elements of use.

My wife, as well as yours, is the first to show everything off to new visitors. We are, indeed, fortunate. Thumbsup

Pete
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Peter,
I agree with Rob and you about the lovely patina of age that imparts antiques with such a mystique. I witnessed this first hand when our family explored the deeply beautiful rear cabin of the lost Maine Downeaster Benjamin F Packard. I also remember the organically beautiful knotty pinewood finish of my late Father-in-Law's completely home built Cape Cod. That home too had such a wonderful aviance. To be able to restore such valuable pieces and not mar the antiquity as well is quite a tribute to your talent.
 
Hello everyone,

Today is a day at sea on our vacation. We are headed to Holyhead Wales from Dover England. With some free time, I thought I would take the opportunity to do a research.

I have been trying to determine the shape of the waterway for the Flying Cloud. Would anyone know of a diagram of the waterway profile for the Flying Clouds?

Thanks,
Bill
 
Bill-R said:
Hello everyone,

Today is a day at sea on our vacation. We are headed to Holyhead Wales from Dover England. With some free time, I thought I would take the opportunity to do a research.

I have been trying to determine the shape of the waterway for the Flying Cloud. Would anyone know of a diagram of the waterway profile for the Flying Clouds?

Thanks,
Bill
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Hi Bill,
According to the specs supplied by Donald McKay's shipyard to Duncan McLean his publicist friend, upper deck waterways on Flying Cloud were 12" × 14". I'm including some Glory of the Seas bulkhead pics so you can see the real appearance was more rounded and molded, to protect crew injuries. There's not a lot of pics of this area. In the pic, look directly below the boy. At the base of the bulkhead, that's the waterway. It's a big block topped by a round, double molded piece on top. What amazed us in our evaluation of many, many contemporary photos is how far more complex and ornate McKay's ship actually was.

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