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Weren't the chains fitted that way to prevent the loss of the rudder if it came detached avoiding it's loss.
Thanks Mick, 
Yes the rudder pendants, be they rope or chain, had two purposes.
1. If the tiller or its connecting mechanism broke, the pendants could be rigged to provide limited steering
2. Heavy seas could sometimes lift the rudder right off its gudgeons. The pendants tethered the rudder to the stern, preventing it from being lost.
I noticed one model of an 18th century ship at Preble Hall with a chain rudder pendant so did a little more research and found a comment that while rope was the common material up until about 1811 for English warships, chain was sometimes used in the second half of the 18th century if on wartime patrol. A caveat, the chain on the model at Preble Hall may or may not be original.
Allan
Yes the rudder pendants, be they rope or chain, had two purposes.
1. If the tiller or its connecting mechanism broke, the pendants could be rigged to provide limited steering
2. Heavy seas could sometimes lift the rudder right off its gudgeons. The pendants tethered the rudder to the stern, preventing it from being lost.
I noticed one model of an 18th century ship at Preble Hall with a chain rudder pendant so did a little more research and found a comment that while rope was the common material up until about 1811 for English warships, chain was sometimes used in the second half of the 18th century if on wartime patrol. A caveat, the chain on the model at Preble Hall may or may not be original.
Allan
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Beautiful build. Love the multiple stain colors.
The deck looks great. Did you add the helm?
Yes, I added the ships wheel & pedestal. That rearmost elevated deck had nothing on it from the kit. It looked quite bare compared to the other decks.
So, I thought ahead and bought the pieces from Cornwall in the UK before I even started the kit. I needed a new wheel anyway for my Blue Nose that was cheap plastic that disintegrated a while ago. The Cornwall offerings are brass and cast metal. Very nice quality.
Carved a strip of walnut to a wedge so the pedestal and wheel were level, since that deck was at an angle downwards. I also made a narrow grating to fill in the area between the wheel and the outmost stern where the lamp sticks out.
I think it looks pretty good. Can't always follow the kit 100%. Gotta use a little creativity. What I might also do is make a narrow ladder/step from the deck below to that upper deck. How else would a helmsman get up there to steer?
My son asked me why are those wheels backwards on both your ships? I had to explain the reason they are that way. He didn't believe me and thought I'd made a mistake on those builds.
So, I thought ahead and bought the pieces from Cornwall in the UK before I even started the kit. I needed a new wheel anyway for my Blue Nose that was cheap plastic that disintegrated a while ago. The Cornwall offerings are brass and cast metal. Very nice quality.
Carved a strip of walnut to a wedge so the pedestal and wheel were level, since that deck was at an angle downwards. I also made a narrow grating to fill in the area between the wheel and the outmost stern where the lamp sticks out.
I think it looks pretty good. Can't always follow the kit 100%. Gotta use a little creativity. What I might also do is make a narrow ladder/step from the deck below to that upper deck. How else would a helmsman get up there to steer?
My son asked me why are those wheels backwards on both your ships? I had to explain the reason they are that way. He didn't believe me and thought I'd made a mistake on those builds.
I’m building a Bluenose as well…
On the Buccaneer (which I rechristened Molino), I too added a grate, a set of stairs, and put some railings up like at the edges of the other decks. I also added a “rope” hand rail on the steps.
I’ll be honest, I was like your son, but looked it up before saying anything.
On the Buccaneer (which I rechristened Molino), I too added a grate, a set of stairs, and put some railings up like at the edges of the other decks. I also added a “rope” hand rail on the steps.
I’ll be honest, I was like your son, but looked it up before saying anything.
HughLo,
That looks really nice with the rail matching the rails on the other decks. I should have thought of that but did the 2mmx2mm strip on the deck edge as in the ship's plans. Then added the grating like you did, but put on the ships wheel.
I will add a ladder like you did and possibly add a rail that will be much narrower than the 2mmx4mm. Probably 1mmx2mm.
I'll take before and after pics. Can't have enough stuff on a pirate ships deck.
That looks really nice with the rail matching the rails on the other decks. I should have thought of that but did the 2mmx2mm strip on the deck edge as in the ship's plans. Then added the grating like you did, but put on the ships wheel.
I will add a ladder like you did and possibly add a rail that will be much narrower than the 2mmx4mm. Probably 1mmx2mm.
I'll take before and after pics. Can't have enough stuff on a pirate ships deck.
Aye matey. Since this is a mythical ship, I’ve taken or plan to take several liberties and had some fun. I want to add a “plank” but I’m not sure I can find a good spot
Aye, mythical it is at that, matey. Liberties abound to create whatever your wooden peg leg itches for.
Hmmm......a plank you say? Well, can't have it in the way of any blocks or pulleys on the side of the ship. Too many lines would be in the way. But a proper pirate ship needs a plank for the many captives and traitors to become shark chum.
I would say equal distance between the foremost and second cannon. A small ladder or step blocks up to the solid railing and a plank laid out.
I might actually do that when I finish the ladder and railing on the aft deck that has the ships wheel. I'm working on that now.
Hmmm......a plank you say? Well, can't have it in the way of any blocks or pulleys on the side of the ship. Too many lines would be in the way. But a proper pirate ship needs a plank for the many captives and traitors to become shark chum.
I would say equal distance between the foremost and second cannon. A small ladder or step blocks up to the solid railing and a plank laid out.
I might actually do that when I finish the ladder and railing on the aft deck that has the ships wheel. I'm working on that now.
Fabricated stairs and rail in front of helm. Went narrow and lower on the railing as not to block the helm or make it look small. Turned out pretty good thanks to the tip from HughLo.
Before and after pics, plus the POTC medallion mounted on the base between the stands. Yep, free to do whatever on this mythical ship.
Before and after pics, plus the POTC medallion mounted on the base between the stands. Yep, free to do whatever on this mythical ship.