USRC Harriet Lane Model Shipways 1:96 scale circa 1863

What ho, shipmates!

Just in case things have started to sound like a requiem for my Harriet Lane build, I assure you that it is not so. I still have to complete the standing ends of the topping lifts - the only rigging aft that could not be done before the topping lifts passed through their respective blocks. Unless one of you has a way of pulling two double 2.5 mm blocks through a hole less than 1 mm in diameter - looking at you Paul, GrantROTF

Then there is rigging the boats to the davits. For me it will be a major undertaking. And then the port lids, and then the anchor, and then rope coils, signal flag halliards, jack, ensign and if I can manage it pennant. As to the anchor - the kit supplied version seems very very small relative to the size of the ship. I'll post some pictures seeking advice about size and rigging. I have done some research and discovered that a wooden stock is appropriate. But since the cable is chain rather than rope, shouldn't the chain be shackled to the anchor rather than to a great honking ring?

So, in the words of the immortal Yogi Bera: "It ain't over 'til it's over." On top of that I am preparing (not training as in running) for a 50 mile ultramarathon - I only have to cover 50 miles in 12 hours - which is cutting into my building time this weekend.

Blessings. Peace. Gratitude.
Chuck
 
Peter Gutterman said:
appy Anniversary!
My only regret looking forward to your completion of Harriet is that there won't be your Harriet Lane build log to follow after this!
Congratulations on both milestones Exclamation-Mark ExplosionBottleThumbsupThumbsup

Pete
Happy Anniversary!
My only regret looking forward to your completion of Harriet is that there won't be your Harriet Lane build log to follow after this!
Congratulations on both milestones Exclamation-Mark ExplosionBottleThumbsupThumbsup
Pete
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Jimsky said:
Happy anniversary, Chuck!
Click to expand...
Pete and Jim! Sorry. I did not mean to miss out on a direct and timely reply to your good wishes. I know that 16 years is nothing compared to some of our shipmates. In total, I have been married 26 years - almost half of my life. My current admiral of 16 years is the best commanding officer I have ever had or can ever hope to have!!! I pray this for all of our shipmates.

Blessings.
Chuck
 
What ho, shipmates!

Taking a break to post a couple of pics. Where are we? Well, all of the running rigging is complete and belayed. Made for a lot of activity aft and some hard spots to belay lines. If I had to do it again, I might leave the main topmast backstay until last - really in the way for some of the aft rigging and rigging the boats. I also added signal halliards.

So, two boats aboard, rigging the davit supports for the third and one more to go. My thanks to @Peter Gutterman Pete for pics of the davit support rigging from his Flying Cloud build. They make a wonderful detail and make the davits more secure than just CA and clenched stomach muscles. I relied on Mastini for the gripe rigging.

Boats and davits 2.jpg
Boats and davits 1.jpg

After the fourth boat, which may happen today all that's left are the port lids, anchor and flags and a few dozen rope hanks:rolleyes:.

Blessings. Peace. Gratitude.
Chuck
 
The Gavel said:
What ho, shipmates!

Taking a break to post a couple of pics. Where are we? Well, all of the running rigging is complete and belayed. Made for a lot of activity aft and some hard spots to belay lines. If I had to do it again, I might leave the main topmast backstay until last - really in the way for some of the aft rigging and rigging the boats. I also added signal halliards.

So, two boats aboard, rigging the davit supports for the third and one more to go. My thanks to @Peter Gutterman Pete for pics of the davit support rigging from his Flying Cloud build. They make a wonderful detail and make the davits more secure than just CA and clenched stomach muscles. I relied on Mastini for the gripe rigging.

View attachment 507858
View attachment 507859

After the fourth boat, which may happen today all that's left are the port lids, anchor and flags and a few dozen rope hanks:rolleyes:.

Blessings. Peace. Gratitude.
Chuck
Click to expand...
A impressive rigging on the aft deck, Chuck. Those 2 boats are nicely hanging on there davits.
Regards, Peter
 
Peter! Thank you! This is my first kit with boats on davits. The level of challenge was a bit surprising, particularly the order of attachment. To get the tension right all around and level the boats fore and aft and port and starboard the boat tackle, the gripes and the sheer pole lashing all had to be in place. I also had no idea how long it would take. Just to strop the blocks (32 total for all boats including davit support rigging) took about 5 hours with the hooks and the lines attached. Totally worth it! And I've added the experience to my fund! I was right when I wrote about the benefits of the second pair of boats in post #32 back in December 2023.

Thanks again for the compliment, Peter!

Blessings.
Chuck
 
The Gavel said:
What ho, shipmates!

Taking a break to post a couple of pics. Where are we? Well, all of the running rigging is complete and belayed. Made for a lot of activity aft and some hard spots to belay lines. If I had to do it again, I might leave the main topmast backstay until last - really in the way for some of the aft rigging and rigging the boats. I also added signal halliards.

So, two boats aboard, rigging the davit supports for the third and one more to go. My thanks to @Peter Gutterman Pete for pics of the davit support rigging from his Flying Cloud build. They make a wonderful detail and make the davits more secure than just CA and clenched stomach muscles. I relied on Mastini for the gripe rigging.

View attachment 507858
View attachment 507859

After the fourth boat, which may happen today all that's left are the port lids, anchor and flags and a few dozen rope hanks:rolleyes:.

Blessings. Peace. Gratitude.
Chuck
Click to expand...
I don't know how that turns out any better. Way to go, Chuck!
 
Hanging boats is not made easier, since by the time that it has to be done you can see the finish line. The temptation is there to take a short cut to get it done. You prevailed with your usual meticulous craftsmanship. All in all, you have turned this kit into the definitive model of Harriett Lane.

Well done!

Roger
 
dockattner said:
I don't know how that turns out any better. Way to go, Chuck!
Click to expand...
Roger Pellett said:
Hanging boats is not made easier, since by the time that it has to be done you can see the finish line. The temptation is there to take a short cut to get it done. You prevailed with your usual meticulous craftsmanship. All in all, you have turned this kit into the definitive model of Harriett Lane.

Well done!

Roger
Click to expand...
Paul and Roger! You guys always say the right things! I really appreciate the compliments and the kindness. Same to all of the rest of my shipmates who have taken time to emoji me! Thank you! I emoji you back very very much!

As our friend Grant would say "True story" on both counts. Paul, my heart agrees with you - my intellect and the naked perfectionist that tends to get loose has needed to be medicated and restrained. There are plenty of errors. And now that all of the boats are aboard I'll take a minute over the next couple of days and own them, the errors. The boats chapter of this saga will include, in part, a guide for any future builder and better pics of the whole shooting match.

Roger! Too right my friend! It became a mountain in my mind. Then, although I wasn't trying to take a short-cut, I found myself rushing yesterday and it took some of the joy out of it. So, I saved the last boat for today. Two hours to rig from the davit guys to belaying the boat tackle and the gripes. I thank you for the gift of considering my effort meticulous! My learning curve was somewhat slow - I didn't figure out the steps in the process until the last boat. ROTF

Blessings. Peace. Gratitude.
Chuck

Last Boat.jpg
 
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What ho, shipmates!

Here's the skinny: I have until Thursday lights out to advance the build. After that it's back to home improvements for spring break. My Admiral has been extremely patient and I promised to stop work on Harriet Lane and work on the house once spring break hit. I'd be really glad to have the port lids done. My question: should they be at a right angle to the hull or hanging all the way down like a completely open door. Looking at the Michigan seems like the right answer is right angles. @JerryTodd @Peter Gutterman Jerry and Peter, as my primary Civil War gurus I'm looking directly at you twoROTF This is not to exclude my other shipmates. This is an all hands request. Please confirm.

Blessings.
Chuck

Michigan Aft Gun Ports.jpg
 
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