Happy New Year to all 
coming along slowly, I used contact cement for the first few outer planks and it was very unforgiving so I switched over to white glue, much easer for me. I also learned that if there's a small gap between the outer planks a little a little sanding with white glue in the crack works nicely 
14 year old Thomas Nicholson awaiting his first ocean going voyage helped refit The Essex for it's ninth and final voyage. He said The Essex was black and ugly and looked old, who am I to argue