Yet another grating question

[Don Case]

I am finishing up the gratings on the Discovery1789. Most of the time I see gratings notched in the corner to allow the anchor cable to go through. To me that always looked like it would wear a lot. I did see one model that had holes drilled in the grating with nice grommets for wear. I also saw one that had a square hole with a square "grommet" that looked kind of cool. The question is which is more realistic. The square notch looks a little slip shod(to me) but it does allow the hatch to be removed. The holes look nicer but you couldn't remove the grating as long as the cable was there. Any input on this? I can't find any mention in the literature that I have.

 

[Roger Pellett]

Don, According to author John Harland, ships on long voyages did not sail with the cable attached to the anchor when outside of soundings. The gratings were of course portable, they could be replaced with solid hatch covers in bad weather and left off entirely during the daytime in fair weather. They could and were removed when handling the anchor to strike the cable below. You could, therefore show the weather deck gratings without the notch for the cable.

On the other hand, there is a model of HMS Victory with a large cut out for a main deck hatch grating; no reinforcing grommet. And, of course with the ship riding at anchor, the unused part of the cable would have to pass through the grating covered hatch.

That’s evidence, no specific answer.

Roger

 

[Don Case]

Thanks Roger. I think I will go with the corners cut out. When the Discovery was in this area if she was not anchored for a few days she was anchoring daily. It just doesn't makes sense(to me) for them to go to all the work of stowing the anchor cable one evening only to break it out again first thing in the morning. In the summer months night is only six hours. My main concern was whether there was a notch or holes for the cables.

 

[Roger Pellett]

Don, the term Soundings refers to water shallow enough that depth could be measured with a sounding lead. Once the ship sailed into deeper water, anchors were us less to the cable was stowed below out of the weather.

A ship exploring a coastline would be “ within soundings” so the anchor would be rigged to drop on short notice- cable attached. Your choice is, therefore, correct.

Roger