HMS Medea (28) (1778) 1/48 scratch build

[Masters Mate]

A long time between drinks, but I have been busy making chain plates, rope and preparing for the shrouds on the foremast. There is quite a story behind my beginning the rigging and I will relate it in a day or two.

Not museum quality but my first (and probably last) attempt and I have enough confidence now to continue until the foremast is fully rigged.







I tried really hard to do the lashing above each deadeye but with .25mm poly thread required for the scale it was taking me too many tear downs and re-does and in the finish I resorted to super glue and now I have asthma again (despite wearing PPE). I worked on trying to get the deadeyes level as well, but in the end I had to accept that with a working ship at sea there would ultimately be differences in height due to stretching of shrouds over time.

Next job is the spreaders (?) for the shrouds and then the hundreds of clove hitches for the ratlines.

 

[mtbediz1]

I worked on trying to get the deadeyes level as well, but in the end I had to accept that with a working ship at sea there would ultimately be differences in height due to stretching of shrouds over time.

I use the jig in the photo to keep the deadeyes in line. I nail the deadeyes to the jig and tie the shrouds to the deadeyes in this position and then remove the tied deadeye from the jig. You can try this jig on main and mizzen mast.

 

[Masters Mate]

I use the jig in the photo to keep the deadeyes in line. I nail the deadeyes to the jig and tie the shrouds to the deadeyes in this position and then remove the tied deadeye from the jig. You can try this jig on main and mizzen mast.

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That looks like a great idea. It would certainly have helped me and I can see how it would have helped with the lacing as well. Thanks for sharing. In fact, I think I might even do the foremast again if my effort annoys me enough!!

 

[dockattner]

Hi Ian,

Looks good! FYI there are CA's that are free from off-gassing and that I am able to use without a reaction. I'm sure you could find something in OZ.

Here is an example: https://www.amazon.com/Super-gold-t...00DD1QJ&psc=1&ref_=pd_bap_d_grid_rp_0_45_pr_i

 

[Masters Mate]

Hi Ian,

Looks good! FYI there are CA's that are free from off-gassing and that I am able to use without a reaction. I'm sure you could find something in OZ.

Here is an example: https://www.amazon.com/Super-gold-t...00DD1QJ&psc=1&ref_=pd_bap_d_grid_rp_0_45_pr_i

Thanks Paul. I will look into it. I have tried many brands and I'm beginning to suspect my asthma may be caused by my psychological reaction to dangerous chemicals. I've had a lot of exposure over many years as a farmer and it doesn't take much to set me off these days.

 

[Masters Mate]

OK. Time to spill the beans...

Soon after I published Champion of the Quarterdeck: Admiral Sir Erasmus Gower 1742-1814, I was fortunate to receive a favourable book review from leading naval historian, Professor Emeritus John B Hattendorf, in the US Naval War College Review. https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/nwc-review/vol72/iss3/13

Despite John’s busy schedule and our mutual health setbacks, we continued to correspond and in May 2018, I wrote:

My wife and I are preparing to downsize and move into a retirement complex and I intend to embark on another episode of messing about in boats - to build a scale model of HMS Medea (28) on the plans of Enterprise. As I'm already doubtful of my ability to properly rig such a craft when complete, I have decided to omit the main and mizzen masts and toss a tangle of sails and rigging over the side - just as Medea might have looked after being dis-masted in 1783. Messing about in boats indeed!

John replied soon after, adding this footnote:

Best wishes for the scale model of Medea. That sounds like a delightful challenge. Your solution to the rigging problem is brilliant.

So this has been my plan all along. I have practised my shaky skills on the port side of my build, then attempted to show a respectable interpretation on the starboard side for display.

Having struggled mightily with the shrouds of the foremast, my decision made years ago now feels right. I am developing a diorama of Medea as she was in December 1783 after a severe storm off the Azores. The main mast will be broken off half way up. The mizzen will be broken close to the quarterdeck and all that rigging, sails and 30 men will be cast into the sea on the port side.

Something different, but also something which has continued to satisfy my curiosity and has lead me into this friendly, knowledgeable and skillful group we call Ships of Scale.

Onward and overboard!

 

[BradNSW]

Concur with Professor Hattendorf on your solution: Brilliant!

It will be fascinating to see how you show/depict the mess of lines, spars, topmasts, pulleys, etc that would be the result.

It's quite probably that some was cut away and cast adrift, but much was recovered to the deck to facilitate makeshift repairs enroute to safe harbor. This post battle/storm damage is where the Boatswains earned their pay!!!

Look forward to following your new endeavor!

 

[Masters Mate]

Concur with Professor Hattendorf on your solution: Brilliant!

It will be fascinating to see how you show/depict the mess of lines, spars, topmasts, pulleys, etc that would be the result.

It's quite probably that some was cut away and cast adrift, but much was recovered to the deck to facilitate makeshift repairs enroute to safe harbor. This post battle/storm damage is where the Boatswains earned their pay!!!

Look forward to following your new endeavor!

Thanks Brad. My project doesn't have full support from my family yet but they will yield eventually. I still have to do a fair amount of rigging to make the wreck look realistic so in the end it might be harder than doing a standard model!

 

[mtbediz1]

Thanks Brad. My project doesn't have full support from my family yet but they will yield eventually. I still have to do a fair amount of rigging to make the wreck look realistic so in the end it might be harder than doing a standard model!

I understand you don't want to mess with the standard rigging equipment too much, but I think it would be harder to make it look wrecked.