Hello to all,
By way of an introduction, my name is Don Long. I live in Mesa, Arizona. Donnie has been after me since March to start a build log for my Santisima Trinidad by OcCre. I have been hesitant to do so for several reasons. First, I didn’t think I would have that much to offer. Second, I had major surgery to one of my lungs recently and have not gotten fully up to speed yet. Third, I wanted to get my work shop finished so I would have a decent place to build the ST. Finally, I have been doing a ton of research on the ST which has taken most of my time.
I have wanted to build a wooden model warship since I was 7. I am 66 now and finally am living the dream. I am fascinated by this ship. I have looked at many build logs, especially Donnie’s. My goal is to build the ST as she appeared last, at the Battle of Trafalgar (actually just before the battle started). That means proper colors, full sails, etc. The Spanish Naval Ministry Regulation of 1772 stated the hull was to be black with yellow bands. During my research, I found a documented account by midshipman William Badcock. Badcock was aboard the HMS Neptune when the Spanish and French ships began to develop their line the day of the battle. He was noted to say:
“At this point the enemy were forming their double line in the shape of a crescent. It was a beautiful sight when their line was completed: their broadsides turned towards us showing their iron teeth, and now and then trying the range of a shot to ascertain the distance, that they might, the moment we came within point-blank open their fire upon our van ships – no doubt with the hope of dismasting some of our leading vessels before they could close and break their line.
Some of the enemy’s ships were painted like ourselves – with double yellow sides, some with a broad single red or yellow streak, others all black, and the noble Santisima Trinidad with four distinct lines of red, with a white ribbon between them, made her seem to be a superb man-of-war… She was lying under topsails, top-gallant sails, royals, jibs, and spanker; her courses were hauled up, and her lofty, towering sails looked beautiful, peering through the smoke as she awaited the onset. The flags of France and Spain both handsome, chequered the line, waving defiance to that of Britain.”
It’s not often you hear such praise coming from someone about their enemy. At any rate, I found a drawing of the ST that seems to coincide with the midshipman’s statement.
At the present time, I have the skeleton built and the lower deck glued in. I need to varnish it and do some painting before I glue in the main deck.
I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am to finally start this project. I look forward to sharing my successes and failures with you. Hopefully some of the information will be useful to others.
By way of an introduction, my name is Don Long. I live in Mesa, Arizona. Donnie has been after me since March to start a build log for my Santisima Trinidad by OcCre. I have been hesitant to do so for several reasons. First, I didn’t think I would have that much to offer. Second, I had major surgery to one of my lungs recently and have not gotten fully up to speed yet. Third, I wanted to get my work shop finished so I would have a decent place to build the ST. Finally, I have been doing a ton of research on the ST which has taken most of my time.
I have wanted to build a wooden model warship since I was 7. I am 66 now and finally am living the dream. I am fascinated by this ship. I have looked at many build logs, especially Donnie’s. My goal is to build the ST as she appeared last, at the Battle of Trafalgar (actually just before the battle started). That means proper colors, full sails, etc. The Spanish Naval Ministry Regulation of 1772 stated the hull was to be black with yellow bands. During my research, I found a documented account by midshipman William Badcock. Badcock was aboard the HMS Neptune when the Spanish and French ships began to develop their line the day of the battle. He was noted to say:
“At this point the enemy were forming their double line in the shape of a crescent. It was a beautiful sight when their line was completed: their broadsides turned towards us showing their iron teeth, and now and then trying the range of a shot to ascertain the distance, that they might, the moment we came within point-blank open their fire upon our van ships – no doubt with the hope of dismasting some of our leading vessels before they could close and break their line.
Some of the enemy’s ships were painted like ourselves – with double yellow sides, some with a broad single red or yellow streak, others all black, and the noble Santisima Trinidad with four distinct lines of red, with a white ribbon between them, made her seem to be a superb man-of-war… She was lying under topsails, top-gallant sails, royals, jibs, and spanker; her courses were hauled up, and her lofty, towering sails looked beautiful, peering through the smoke as she awaited the onset. The flags of France and Spain both handsome, chequered the line, waving defiance to that of Britain.”
It’s not often you hear such praise coming from someone about their enemy. At any rate, I found a drawing of the ST that seems to coincide with the midshipman’s statement.
At the present time, I have the skeleton built and the lower deck glued in. I need to varnish it and do some painting before I glue in the main deck.
I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am to finally start this project. I look forward to sharing my successes and failures with you. Hopefully some of the information will be useful to others.
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