Companionway details ?, Armed Virginia Sloop

[mark99]

The attached screen grab is more or less how it is described in the ‘building’ book

Some builds show the large hinged panel as one piece, others as several planks

Single piece would simplify the construction but it seems like a rather wide plank

Thoughts?



Second, the hinge makes sense, and the fixed part would give a place for the hinged section to rest on, but seems like a large leak area

Would this have been water proofed in some way?

 

[jamesjn82]

Hi,

Good references are some of the Cutters in the National Maritime Museum Collection (Hornet 1763) shows this style of companion lid, others could be a sliding type which would omit the need for ironwork. If you go to the NMM website type in search Cutter 1763 plans and you should get some good results.

This particular vessel the Virginia Sloop is actually based on a French "Cutter" of 49 French feet - so the deck is all conjecture, the original would likely be open decked throughout as some larger French privateers are open decked (Epreuve, Chevert and Escorte being prime examples). The hancings on the original plan show the same style as French vessels.

Maritiem Digitaal NL

Back to the companion and deck layout in general: You could in theory split the lid in half and fit appropriate hinges so when open it would rest on the other half, this would allow light and air in while the surrounding structure would keep out any water on deck. No vessel was truly watertight and ingress was always expected.

I imported the original drawing into AutoCad a while ago after buying the Chapelle version of the Virginia Sloop plan, I came to the conclusion that I would enlarge the sloop from its original size to create the Armed Virginia Sloop.

Attached is my interpretation of the companion on a Rhode Island Sloop 1725, its currently WIP and as you can see I am not a professional modeller (I do this in my spare time). My decision was based on trying to minimise iron work, so the lid is made to slide with wash boards simply slotted into the doorway. There is more detail work I need to finish and adjustments needed (such as the plank texture needing to be horizontal for example).

Also attached is my take on the Bermuda Sloop ca1740, I have seen this sloop built with a round tuck stern but the wales are always adjusted to fair into the transom (Rob Napiers version shows this and a few others). My interpretation was originally a square tuck but then altered it to the round tuck seen in the pictures. The wales are still as shown on the NMM drawing (and Chapmans plate) and I believe the shape has came out quite well.

Again with this the deck layout is open to interpretation and speculation: so my take on it is three hatches, a fore hatch, main hatch and aft (companion currently under construction) as too many openings would weaken the deck from the sea. I have positioned the cabin stove (cylinder is a reference) aft of the pump well to heat the cabins and forward of the pump well I have placed the galley stove (wooden type stack with repositionable cowl). The galley would also heat the cabins that run either side of the main hold to the bow. If you look at the Cutters plans I mentioned you will see why I went this direction.

With the chimney stacks around the pumps there is space over the main hatch for a possible 12ft boat. The bitts near the mast are just references as the Mediator 1745 shows these forward of the mast.

The hinges on the door of the companion could be HL hinges or Cockshead Hinges, while the lid hinges could be gunport lid hinges.

Regards,

James

 

[mark99]

On the companion way hatch, I ended up doing it about like the model I am copping from

I did run the planks fore and aft, and I added a leather seal over the joint

 

[mark99]

Some images of where I am, finished except for planning on adding bump maps to some of the textures and water for some exterior shots



In this model, I have kept most of the rigging from the purchased model and most of the small fittings, and 2 of the sails

 

[mark99]

another

 

[Uwek]

Looking very good - and very interesting renderings
Maybe you adjust the head cover of the companion? your will work only when there are on left and right side metal rails inserted into the sides
if the head was completely out of would you have to change it appr. like this one



unfortunately I did not find a better example

 

[mark99]

I am not sure I understand

This is close to how it is shown in book and model instructions

The main portion would be sturdy, it forms a U and the aft roof would hold it together

The upper hinged part would be made on a frame, you can see the frame below the edges of the planks

 

[Uwek]

I was only commenting this one

 

[jamesjn82]

Looking very good - and very interesting renderings
Maybe you adjust the head cover of the companion? your will work only when there are on left and right side metal rails inserted into the sides
if the head was completely out of would you have to change it appr. like this one

View attachment 362827

unfortunately I did not find a better example

View attachment 362826

Thanks for the suggestion, however my inspiration came from a 18th century compass box and a sliding scuttle shown on the Charles Yacht 1675 (Van de Velde ). I wanted to envision how it would be made without using iron components (treenails/trunnels as fixings) in 1725 Rhode Island.

Regards,

James