HIGH HOPES, WILD MEN AND THE DEVIL’S JAW - Willem Barentsz Kolderstok 1:50

[Daniel20]

Well, happy very belated birthday Heinrich! I love this post about Vladistav Zhdan. While his models are certainly AL-FI on steroids very beautiful indeed, I always maintain if its appealing to my eye I like it with some respect to historical accuracy knowing all the while a true exact model at a given scale is not possible when it comes to these ships. Thats why I have no problem bending the rules when I feel it necessary. At the same time my hat is off to all who try for exact duplication, they too produce some of the most beautiful ships as well.

 

[Heinrich]

Well, happy very belated birthday Heinrich! I love this post about Vladistav Zhdan. While his models are certainly AL-FI on steroids very beautiful indeed, I always maintain if its appealing to my eye I like it with some respect to historical accuracy knowing all the while a true exact model at a given scale is not possible when it comes to these ships. Thats why I have no problem bending the rules when I feel it necessary. At the same time my hat is off to all who try for exact duplication, they too produce some of the most beautiful ships as well.

Dear Daniel. Thank you for the birthday wishes, my friend. I think you have absolutely nailed it (to coin a phrase from our friend, @GrantTyler) by describing Zhdan's models as being "Al-Fi on steroids". I am sure that if he could understand this, he would love it, because it is a perfect reference to him accentuating those parts of the ship that he believes are the ones giving it character and life.

 

[janos]

Well, I think to be able to judge the authenticity of Vladislaw Zhdan's models we should have plans, paintings or similar from the time of the ships themselves. And we know, that these do not exist or are not in a usable format. So for me what counts is that his models are extremely beautiful, authentical and believable. So from me 11 out of 10 to Vladislaw.
János

 

[Heinrich]

Well, I think to be able to judge the authenticity of Vladislaw Zhdan's models we should have plans, paintings or similar from the time of the ships themselves. And we know, that these do not exist or are not in a usable format. So for me what counts is that his models are extremely beautiful, authentical and believable. So from me 11 out of 10 to Vladislaw.
János

This is my point exactly, Janos. In the absence of any substantial evidence, who is to say that Vladislav's interpretation is wrong? I am glad that you like his models - I had a feeling you would, as you are a true artist yourself!

 

[Heinrich]

DE MERCURIUS OF ENKHUIZEN (NOT THE SHIP OF BARENTSZ)

Those of you who are familiar with my logs will know that I have spent the last two and a half years relentlessly researching and building two variants of the Barentsz’s ship. The fact is that researching and finding out as much as I can about the three polar expeditions of Barentsz has become such an integral part of my life, that building any other ship from a different era and/or nationality feels weird.

This is not meant to take anything away from the HMS Pandora which I am currently building. The Modelship Dockyard kit of the Pandora is superb and the ship itself must have been one of the most beautiful vessels ever to have roamed the oceans. However, each time I took a break or waited for the glue to dry, I found myself back behind my laptop searching for new information on the Dutch Polar Expeditions of 1594-1596.

Whilst I have given up on finding any conclusive evidence that will point to a definitive identity of Barentz’s ship during the last and fatal (to Barentsz and a few of his men) 1596 expedition, my enthusiasm for the ships that partook in these expeditions remained untainted.

Of these ships there I regard the Swane of Zeeland and the Mercurius* of Enkhuizen - which both partook in both the 1594 and 1595 expeditions – as the two stalwarts. Of the two I have the most information on the Swane pertaining to her acquisitioning, how she was equipped for the journeys, who had sailed on her and how she handled and fared during the expeditions. Of the Mercurius I have less information. Other than her description as a “Vlieboot” of approximately 50 lasten and the crew who sailed on her, I have no further information. Of neither of the ships do I have plans or even a visual representation – other than the illustrations which appeared in the journals of Gerrit de Veer.

*Please note that Mercurius refers to the Vlieboot from Enkhuizen and should in no way be confused with the Mercurius (of Amsterdam) which Barentsz captained during the first expedition. During the First Expedition (1594) the Enkhuizen Mercurius was captained by Brandt Ijsbrandtsz Tetgales with Jan Huygen van Linschoten as Commis. During the 1595 expedition she was under the command of Thomas Willemszoon.

So, imagine my excitement when I found out this morning that the Maritime Museum in Rotterdam houses a model which is claimed to be the Mercurius of Enkhuizen. Shown in the configuration of the 1594 (First) Expedition and built by J.B. Martein in 1963, the model depicts a three-masted (cross-rigged main- and foremasts and a mizzen mast with lateen sail) vlieboot with a bowsprit and a total of six sails. Both fore- and main masts are secured by means of stays, five and six shrouds with ratlines respectively, and deadeyes. The mizzen mast features only two shrouds without ratlines and no stay.

The underwater of the wooden hull is painted in white harpuis and features three wales. Armament consists of two cannons on either side. A red and white strip underlines the lower bulwarks while a strip of alternating white and green triangles flanks the upper bulwarks. On deck, in front of the mast, a sloop is lashed above the front grate that gives access to the hold. Behind the large mast is another grate, with behind it a capstan with four spokes and a bilge pump. On the flat transom is a blue trapezoid with an image of the Roman god, Mercury. The main mast carries a yellow flag with a Red Lion in the middle.

 

[Robertd]

You all know the “Duyfken” was a similar ship.
I just finished reading the latest book by Graeme Cocks: Through darkest seas. This book is all about the building of the Duyfken and the voyages which have been made with this ship.
One of the main characteristics of this ship was/is her superb sailing quality and the ability to reach a speed up to seven knots.
Small, but fast. These were real yachts!

I can recommend this book to everyone!
View attachment 424675
Isbn 978-0-9925078-3-1

Hans

I am just reading it Hans , there is another book about the build of the replica : To build a ship by Robert Garvey

 

[Kolderstok]

I am just reading it Hans , there is another book about the build of the replica : To build a ship by Robert Garvey

Thank you
I’ve got that one in Dutch, it has really nice photos in it!

 

[Canoe21]

DE MERCURIUS OF ENKHUIZEN (NOT THE SHIP OF BARENTSZ)

Those of you who are familiar with my logs will know that I have spent the last two and a half years relentlessly researching and building two variants of the Barentsz’s ship. The fact is that researching and finding out as much as I can about the three polar expeditions of Barentsz has become such an integral part of my life, that building any other ship from a different era and/or nationality feels weird.

This is not meant to take anything away from the HMS Pandora which I am currently building. The Modelship Dockyard kit of the Pandora is superb and the ship itself must have been one of the most beautiful vessels ever to have roamed the oceans. However, each time I took a break or waited for the glue to dry, I found myself back behind my laptop searching for new information on the Dutch Polar Expeditions of 1594-1596.

Whilst I have given up on finding any conclusive evidence that will point to a definitive identity of Barentz’s ship during the last and fatal (to Barentsz and a few of his men) 1596 expedition, my enthusiasm for the ships that partook in these expeditions remained untainted.

Of these ships there I regard the Swane of Zeeland and the Mercurius* of Enkhuizen - which both partook in both the 1594 and 1595 expeditions – as the two stalwarts. Of the two I have the most information on the Swane pertaining to her acquisitioning, how she was equipped for the journeys, who had sailed on her and how she handled and fared during the expeditions. Of the Mercurius I have less information. Other than her description as a “Vlieboot” of approximately 50 lasten and the crew who sailed on her, I have no further information. Of neither of the ships do I have plans or even a visual representation – other than the illustrations which appeared in the journals of Gerrit de Veer.

*Please note that Mercurius refers to the Vlieboot from Enkhuizen and should in no way be confused with the Mercurius (of Amsterdam) which Barentsz captained during the first expedition. During the First Expedition (1594) the Enkhuizen Mercurius was captained by Brandt Ijsbrandtsz Tetgales with Jan Huygen van Linschoten as Commis. During the 1595 expedition she was under the command of Thomas Willemszoon.

So, imagine my excitement when I found out this morning that the Maritime Museum in Rotterdam houses a model which is claimed to be the Mercurius of Enkhuizen. Shown in the configuration of the 1594 (First) Expedition and built by J.B. Martein in 1963, the model depicts a three-masted (cross-rigged main- and foremasts and a mizzen mast with lateen sail) vlieboot with a bowsprit and a total of six sails. Both fore- and main masts are secured by means of stays, five and six shrouds with ratlines respectively, and deadeyes. The mizzen mast features only two shrouds without ratlines and no stay.

The underwater of the wooden hull is painted in white harpuis and features three wales. Armament consists of two cannons on either side. A red and white strip underlines the lower bulwarks while a strip of alternating white and green triangles flanks the upper bulwarks. On deck, in front of the mast, a sloop is lashed above the front grate that gives access to the hold. Behind the large mast is another grate, with behind it a capstan with four spokes and a bilge pump. On the flat transom is a blue trapezoid with an image of the Roman god, Mercury. The main mast carries a yellow flag with a Red Lion in the middle.

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DE MERCURIUS OF ENKHUIZEN (NOT THE SHIP OF BARENTSZ)

Those of you who are familiar with my logs will know that I have spent the last two and a half years relentlessly researching and building two variants of the Barentsz’s ship. The fact is that researching and finding out as much as I can about the three polar expeditions of Barentsz has become such an integral part of my life, that building any other ship from a different era and/or nationality feels weird.

This is not meant to take anything away from the HMS Pandora which I am currently building. The Modelship Dockyard kit of the Pandora is superb and the ship itself must have been one of the most beautiful vessels ever to have roamed the oceans. However, each time I took a break or waited for the glue to dry, I found myself back behind my laptop searching for new information on the Dutch Polar Expeditions of 1594-1596.

Whilst I have given up on finding any conclusive evidence that will point to a definitive identity of Barentz’s ship during the last and fatal (to Barentsz and a few of his men) 1596 expedition, my enthusiasm for the ships that partook in these expeditions remained untainted.

Of these ships there I regard the Swane of Zeeland and the Mercurius* of Enkhuizen - which both partook in both the 1594 and 1595 expeditions – as the two stalwarts. Of the two I have the most information on the Swane pertaining to her acquisitioning, how she was equipped for the journeys, who had sailed on her and how she handled and fared during the expeditions. Of the Mercurius I have less information. Other than her description as a “Vlieboot” of approximately 50 lasten and the crew who sailed on her, I have no further information. Of neither of the ships do I have plans or even a visual representation – other than the illustrations which appeared in the journals of Gerrit de Veer.

*Please note that Mercurius refers to the Vlieboot from Enkhuizen and should in no way be confused with the Mercurius (of Amsterdam) which Barentsz captained during the first expedition. During the First Expedition (1594) the Enkhuizen Mercurius was captained by Brandt Ijsbrandtsz Tetgales with Jan Huygen van Linschoten as Commis. During the 1595 expedition she was under the command of Thomas Willemszoon.

So, imagine my excitement when I found out this morning that the Maritime Museum in Rotterdam houses a model which is claimed to be the Mercurius of Enkhuizen. Shown in the configuration of the 1594 (First) Expedition and built by J.B. Martein in 1963, the model depicts a three-masted (cross-rigged main- and foremasts and a mizzen mast with lateen sail) vlieboot with a bowsprit and a total of six sails. Both fore- and main masts are secured by means of stays, five and six shrouds with ratlines respectively, and deadeyes. The mizzen mast features only two shrouds without ratlines and no stay.

The underwater of the wooden hull is painted in white harpuis and features three wales. Armament consists of two cannons on either side. A red and white strip underlines the lower bulwarks while a strip of alternating white and green triangles flanks the upper bulwarks. On deck, in front of the mast, a sloop is lashed above the front grate that gives access to the hold. Behind the large mast is another grate, with behind it a capstan with four spokes and a bilge pump. On the flat transom is a blue trapezoid with an image of the Roman god, Mercury. The main mast carries a yellow flag with a Red Lion in the middle.

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Hello Heinrich, I am just catching up on your great build, I do congratulate you on an excellent job you have you have done on your little ship. Just love those sails as they look so very realistic. Good luck on your new adventure yes she was a fine looking ship much like the Bounty.
Regards Lawrence