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merry Christmas and Happy new year my friend
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La Créole 1827 by archjofo - Scale 1/48 - French corvette
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2019
- Messages
- 475
- Points
- 373
I wish you all a happy new year full of inspiration, patience, and joy in model making.
May every project bring a piece of history to life.
PS: The figurehead is, of course, hand-carved by me.
Only the face… the Olympic god of beauty briefly intervened, because he thought my version was 'too realistic'…
May every project bring a piece of history to life.
PS: The figurehead is, of course, hand-carved by me.
Only the face… the Olympic god of beauty briefly intervened, because he thought my version was 'too realistic'…
Happy new year to you as well, Johann!
Please do the same, Johann! Happy New Year!
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2019
- Messages
- 475
- Points
- 373
After a longer lull in my build log, the wind is finally picking up again – at least as much as a retiree’s heavily occupied schedule allows…
Boulines on the Fore Yard – Bulins de la vergue de misaine
The question of how the boulines were correctly attached to the fore yard – especially when the sails were furled – can, in my view, only be answered convincingly by considering several sources together. A helpful starting point is Harland’s illustration showing a seaman lowered along the leech of the sail in order to detach a bouline from the bridles.
This scene makes clear how direct and practical these connections were in everyday use. On closer inspection, the bouline appears to be attached to the bridles by means of a toggle – a method frequently documented in early 19th‑century French rigging tradition, known for its quick handling and high reliability.
A look at the museum model of La Créole in the Musée de la Marine is also instructive. There, the boulines on the fore yard are secured with simple seizings.
Source: Musée de la Marine, Paris
To me, however, this execution seems more like a modeller’s simplification. While many details of the model are rendered with great care and historical accuracy, the seizings in this particular spot appear to be a pragmatic choice by the model builder rather than a necessarily authentic representation of actual practice on board. That does not mean it could not have been done this way – only that it is not compelling evidence.
A much clearer picture emerges from the main topgallant yard of L’Océan (1806). Here, the boulines are unmistakably secured to the sprits with toggles – an arrangement fully consistent with French tradition and entirely logical from a structural standpoint.
Source: Musée de la Marine, Paris
Interestingly, the model of L’Océan from 1806 shows both methods side by side: some boulines are clearly attached to the bridles with toggles, while others are simply looped around the yard with a fixed eye. The available sources do not offer a convincing explanation for this variation. Such inconsistencies are not unusual in historical rigging and likely reflect differing practical requirements or contemporary habits. A definitive interpretation is therefore not possible; the observation remains an intriguing but ultimately unresolved detail.
For the fore yard of my model, these findings together form a coherent picture: attaching the boulines with toggles appears not only historically plausible but is supported by several independent sources. Moreover, the toggles on the bridles were present anyway when the sails were bent, so their use with furled sails seems entirely logical to me.
For these reasons, I have chosen the toggle method, which aligns with both French practice and the technical logic of the rigging.
As so often in historical rigging, a certain degree of ambiguity remains. My chosen solution therefore reflects my own source‑based interpretation without claiming to be the only possible one.
Implementation on the model will follow shortly…
Boulines on the Fore Yard – Bulins de la vergue de misaine
The question of how the boulines were correctly attached to the fore yard – especially when the sails were furled – can, in my view, only be answered convincingly by considering several sources together. A helpful starting point is Harland’s illustration showing a seaman lowered along the leech of the sail in order to detach a bouline from the bridles.
This scene makes clear how direct and practical these connections were in everyday use. On closer inspection, the bouline appears to be attached to the bridles by means of a toggle – a method frequently documented in early 19th‑century French rigging tradition, known for its quick handling and high reliability.
A look at the museum model of La Créole in the Musée de la Marine is also instructive. There, the boulines on the fore yard are secured with simple seizings.
Source: Musée de la Marine, Paris
To me, however, this execution seems more like a modeller’s simplification. While many details of the model are rendered with great care and historical accuracy, the seizings in this particular spot appear to be a pragmatic choice by the model builder rather than a necessarily authentic representation of actual practice on board. That does not mean it could not have been done this way – only that it is not compelling evidence.
A much clearer picture emerges from the main topgallant yard of L’Océan (1806). Here, the boulines are unmistakably secured to the sprits with toggles – an arrangement fully consistent with French tradition and entirely logical from a structural standpoint.
Source: Musée de la Marine, Paris
Interestingly, the model of L’Océan from 1806 shows both methods side by side: some boulines are clearly attached to the bridles with toggles, while others are simply looped around the yard with a fixed eye. The available sources do not offer a convincing explanation for this variation. Such inconsistencies are not unusual in historical rigging and likely reflect differing practical requirements or contemporary habits. A definitive interpretation is therefore not possible; the observation remains an intriguing but ultimately unresolved detail.
For the fore yard of my model, these findings together form a coherent picture: attaching the boulines with toggles appears not only historically plausible but is supported by several independent sources. Moreover, the toggles on the bridles were present anyway when the sails were bent, so their use with furled sails seems entirely logical to me.
For these reasons, I have chosen the toggle method, which aligns with both French practice and the technical logic of the rigging.
As so often in historical rigging, a certain degree of ambiguity remains. My chosen solution therefore reflects my own source‑based interpretation without claiming to be the only possible one.
Implementation on the model will follow shortly…
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2019
- Messages
- 475
- Points
- 373
Continuation: Fore Yard Boulins – Boulines de la vergue de misaine
After further research, I moved away from securing the boulins with the sails taken off in the way I had originally shown on the model. That earlier version followed English practice more closely:
In the meantime, I have settled on the variant now implemented on the model, as it corresponds much more closely to French practice and is therefore historically more accurate. The following photos show the current arrangement on the fore yard in detail.
Beforehand, during additional research, I systematically examined the shape and construction of the toggles.
The compilation of different toggles illustrates the wide range of forms and manufacturing techniques — from simple wooden toggles of the Viking era to turned pieces from the 19th century.
For the model of La Créole, however, the toggles documented on the models of L’Océan (1806) and La Créole in the Musée de la Marine are the most relevant. Both display a characteristic French design.
The following images show how the toggles were made from dogwood. The wood is extremely hard and fine‑grained, making it ideal for these tiny pieces.
The final close-up shows the toggle together with a rope that has been fitted with a fully scale‑accurate, real spliced eye — exactly as shown on the model. The splice ensures:
To be continued…
After further research, I moved away from securing the boulins with the sails taken off in the way I had originally shown on the model. That earlier version followed English practice more closely:
In the meantime, I have settled on the variant now implemented on the model, as it corresponds much more closely to French practice and is therefore historically more accurate. The following photos show the current arrangement on the fore yard in detail.
Beforehand, during additional research, I systematically examined the shape and construction of the toggles.
The compilation of different toggles illustrates the wide range of forms and manufacturing techniques — from simple wooden toggles of the Viking era to turned pieces from the 19th century.
For the model of La Créole, however, the toggles documented on the models of L’Océan (1806) and La Créole in the Musée de la Marine are the most relevant. Both display a characteristic French design.
The following images show how the toggles were made from dogwood. The wood is extremely hard and fine‑grained, making it ideal for these tiny pieces.
The final close-up shows the toggle together with a rope that has been fitted with a fully scale‑accurate, real spliced eye — exactly as shown on the model. The splice ensures:
- clean load transfer without the bulk of a knot
- a scale‑appropriate appearance, since knots often look oversized on a model
- a historically correct connection, as can also be seen on the Paris museum models
To be continued…
This is a very impressive detail,
Your rigging overall is some of the best we have seen here. Well done!!!
I love how you insert the close up into the larger photo. Any hints you can give on how you do this would be appreciated.
Allan
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2019
- Messages
- 475
- Points
- 373
@Mirek
@AllanKP69
Hello fellow model builders,
Thank you for the kind comments and to everyone else for the likes.
Hi Allan,
I do this with Paint.NET, using the free version.
@AllanKP69
Hello fellow model builders,
Thank you for the kind comments and to everyone else for the likes.
Hi Allan,
I do this with Paint.NET, using the free version.
THANK YOU. Just downloaded it and will play around with it over the next few days. Don't be surprised if you get a DM from me though with questions.
Thanks again!
Allan
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2020
- Messages
- 6,241
- Points
- 738
Excellence personified.
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2019
- Messages
- 475
- Points
- 373
@AllanKP69
@shota70
@GrantTyler
Thank you so much for your kind comment,
and thank you to everyone else for the likes.
Rope tubs for halyards and sheets - Baille à drisse
I am currently securing the running rigging of the foreyard at the appropriate points. In this context, the loose ends of the foreyard sheets also need to be stowed.
On French ships of the first half of the 19th century, this was done in so-called bailles à drisse – roughly translated as rope tubs, in which the lines lay neatly coiled and ready.
In Dr. Eduard Bobrik's "Allgemeinen nautischen Wörterbuch" of 1858, they are mentioned as follows:
Contemporary handbooks clearly describe the function of these containers.
In the Manuel du Gabier (1827), it states:
"Les drisses doivent être lovées proprement et déposées dans la baille, afin qu’elle puissent filer sans embarras." (“The lines must be neatly coiled and placed in the container so they can run without snagging.”)
The Manuel du Matelot (1811) adds:
“ Les cordages de manœuvre sont rangés dans des bailles pour les préserver de l’humidité et du désordre. ”
(“The maneuvering lines are stored in containers to protect them from moisture and disorder.”)
This clearly defines their function: order, dryness, and free-running lines without dragging on the deck or becoming tangled.
The Manuel du gréement – frégate de 44 canons (1828) describes, by way of example, how these containers were moved as needed when a free run had to be ensured when a rope was being let out. This prevented loops from forming or the rope from snagging on the deck. This source proves that the baille à drisse was an active piece of equipment, its position adjusted depending on the maneuver situation—not merely a static storage location.
The shape of these containers is not described in detail in the texts, but the Atlas du Génie Maritime and several shipyard models in the Musée de la Marine (e.g., La Belle Poule) clearly show cylindrical, open baskets with vertical struts.
Source: Atlas du Génie Maritime
Source: Musée national de la Marine
Some time ago, I made such baille baskets for my 1:48 scale La Créole and presented them in the construction report.
For the construction of my baskets, I used a corresponding drawing from the Atlas du Génie Maritime as a guide. As with the historical shipyard model, I will install a total of five: two at the foremast, two at the mainmast, and one at the mizzenmast.
In the French Navy of the early 19th century, bailles à drisses were mobile wooden containers used for both the organized storage and dry keeping of running rope, particularly halyards and sheets.
1. Safe, dry storage of rope
Between maneuvers, the lines were neatly coiled and stored in these containers. This protected them from:
• Dampness on the deck
• Dirt
• Tangles
• Damage from chafing
The containers were therefore located in close proximity to the respective rigging, usually at the base of the mast or where the lines led onto the deck.
2. Organized handling during maneuvers
During sailing maneuvers, the containers served to neatly gather the running or hauled-in rope. They prevented:
• lines from dragging across the deck
• lines from wrapping around fittings or blocks
• loops from forming
• crew members from being hindered in their work
3. Situational Repositioning During Maneuvers
The Manuel du gréement (1828) describes a specific case on page 234 in which the officer has the containers briefly moved aside to prevent loops from forming and snagging when a halyard runs out.
This example demonstrates:
• The containers are not permanently mounted
• They are positioned according to the maneuver situation
• They are an active tool, not just a storage location
The described case is a practical example, but it confirms the fundamental function of these containers.
The initial temporary placement of a rope tub on the foremast shows the direction things are headed. The design with small feet lifts the container slightly off the deck, thus reflecting the practical logic also mentioned in the Manuel du gréement of 1828. The final placement of all five rope tubs will only take place after the rigging of the running rigging is complete and the belaying points have been cleaned up. These will later receive their coils, so the overall appearance will only be complete once the final setup is finished.
Until next time…
@shota70
@GrantTyler
Thank you so much for your kind comment,
and thank you to everyone else for the likes.
Rope tubs for halyards and sheets - Baille à drisse
I am currently securing the running rigging of the foreyard at the appropriate points. In this context, the loose ends of the foreyard sheets also need to be stowed.
On French ships of the first half of the 19th century, this was done in so-called bailles à drisse – roughly translated as rope tubs, in which the lines lay neatly coiled and ready.
In Dr. Eduard Bobrik's "Allgemeinen nautischen Wörterbuch" of 1858, they are mentioned as follows:
Contemporary handbooks clearly describe the function of these containers.
In the Manuel du Gabier (1827), it states:
"Les drisses doivent être lovées proprement et déposées dans la baille, afin qu’elle puissent filer sans embarras." (“The lines must be neatly coiled and placed in the container so they can run without snagging.”)
The Manuel du Matelot (1811) adds:
“ Les cordages de manœuvre sont rangés dans des bailles pour les préserver de l’humidité et du désordre. ”
(“The maneuvering lines are stored in containers to protect them from moisture and disorder.”)
This clearly defines their function: order, dryness, and free-running lines without dragging on the deck or becoming tangled.
The Manuel du gréement – frégate de 44 canons (1828) describes, by way of example, how these containers were moved as needed when a free run had to be ensured when a rope was being let out. This prevented loops from forming or the rope from snagging on the deck. This source proves that the baille à drisse was an active piece of equipment, its position adjusted depending on the maneuver situation—not merely a static storage location.
The shape of these containers is not described in detail in the texts, but the Atlas du Génie Maritime and several shipyard models in the Musée de la Marine (e.g., La Belle Poule) clearly show cylindrical, open baskets with vertical struts.
Source: Atlas du Génie Maritime
Source: Musée national de la Marine
Some time ago, I made such baille baskets for my 1:48 scale La Créole and presented them in the construction report.
For the construction of my baskets, I used a corresponding drawing from the Atlas du Génie Maritime as a guide. As with the historical shipyard model, I will install a total of five: two at the foremast, two at the mainmast, and one at the mizzenmast.
In the French Navy of the early 19th century, bailles à drisses were mobile wooden containers used for both the organized storage and dry keeping of running rope, particularly halyards and sheets.
1. Safe, dry storage of rope
Between maneuvers, the lines were neatly coiled and stored in these containers. This protected them from:
• Dampness on the deck
• Dirt
• Tangles
• Damage from chafing
The containers were therefore located in close proximity to the respective rigging, usually at the base of the mast or where the lines led onto the deck.
2. Organized handling during maneuvers
During sailing maneuvers, the containers served to neatly gather the running or hauled-in rope. They prevented:
• lines from dragging across the deck
• lines from wrapping around fittings or blocks
• loops from forming
• crew members from being hindered in their work
3. Situational Repositioning During Maneuvers
The Manuel du gréement (1828) describes a specific case on page 234 in which the officer has the containers briefly moved aside to prevent loops from forming and snagging when a halyard runs out.
This example demonstrates:
• The containers are not permanently mounted
• They are positioned according to the maneuver situation
• They are an active tool, not just a storage location
The described case is a practical example, but it confirms the fundamental function of these containers.
The initial temporary placement of a rope tub on the foremast shows the direction things are headed. The design with small feet lifts the container slightly off the deck, thus reflecting the practical logic also mentioned in the Manuel du gréement of 1828. The final placement of all five rope tubs will only take place after the rigging of the running rigging is complete and the belaying points have been cleaned up. These will later receive their coils, so the overall appearance will only be complete once the final setup is finished.
Until next time…
Cool detail to include, Johann! Well played.
I've watched your work on rigging and metalwork many times... I follow you on various forums and have 100,500 screenshots to quickly find the right manipulation... In short, I'm a fan! I'll try to do at least half as much as you do on my Alert, and I'll be happy if everything works out. I'm glad you show everything in such detail, thank you!
Great detailed parts, Johann. Even on those macro-pictures! And the metal work on the blocks ....... I don't even come close .......
Regards, Peter