USS Merrimack 1855 [COMPLETED BUILD]

threebs · Feb 22, 2023

Kurt Konrath said:
Maybe a nice photo or drawing of the ship as you plan to build her so we can see the look and lines of this nice build you have taken on.

There are few good images of the Merrimack. Some of the models I have seen of her differ in their stern and spar deck arrangement. There are many photos of her sisters Wabash and Minnesota though and I am using them as a guide. The National Archives is "suppose" to have a plan of Merrimack's spar deck, I even have a plan number and group number, but, the staff cannot seem to find it anywhere!

threebs · Feb 22, 2023

A model of her.

Kurt Konrath · Feb 23, 2023

She is a grand beauty, once you overlook that big black thing in middle of her deck!

threebs · Feb 23, 2023

While I await materials to finish the grating, I decided to install the cannon and rig up the breach ropes. Some of the pin rails are done and will go in after ALL the gun tackle is in.

threebs · Feb 27, 2023

Anyway, the rigging is done. I do not coil gun tackle ropes as that is not how they are usually stored for high seas travel. The tackle tails are wound around the falls. The Merrimack evidently had a secondary set of cat heads located where you see the beams laying across the wale cap. Also, she had an enclosed hammock storage which is why the entry side boards are painted on only one side. I finished the skylights and hatch gratings and installed them. When I post next, the cat heads will be in, the hammock storage will be in, the boiler room vents, and the pin rails will be in.

threebs · Mar 4, 2023

Work so far on the Merrimack's ships wheel.

shota70 · Mar 5, 2023

threebs said:
Work so far on the Merrimack's ships wheel.

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wonderful work, it going to be beautiful model

threebs · Mar 5, 2023

Thank you shota70! Merrimack's deck furniture is done. The wheel is only in place for photo. It gets bumped as I rig the lines and breaks, so it will go back on when the rigging is finished. The binnacle will most likely be changed.

threebs · Mar 8, 2023

One side of the Merrimack's chain wales is done. I painted the white stripes on. The line on the lower masts is used to figure the slant of the chain. The lower masts are NOT done, only a rough shape for now.