Endurance hull work

[harrynz]

Hi guys. I've attached a photograph of the Endurance in dry dock ( though she may still have been the Polaris at this stage). It seems she has metal (?copper) plating on her stem and keel. Also, I don't know what is happening to her hull where large sections of planking on both lower sides seem to have been removed. Plus, looking at the hull closely there seem to be several different thicknesses showing. Can anyone throw any light/explanations on these points?
Cheers Harry.

 

[Smithy]

Thanks for the interesting photo. The lower hull was covered with a thick band of ironwood prior to the Antarctic trip and this is presumably that very tough wood. It was to resist lateral ice pressure so no need for it to cover the very bottom. Metal sheathing on the prow was fairly standard for ice sailing.