THE BUILD LOG PART IV is devoted to constructing the Spars or Yards and the RUNNING RIGGING. The 7 Whaleboats and all of their gear is covered in BUILD LOG PART V, the Cutting Stage and the Finishing Touches such as Bowsprit and Braces and the Base to complete the model are in BUILD LOG VI.
The model (in my opinion) should be completed through BUILD LOG PART III.
**COMPLETION OF BUILD LOG PART III: 3-26-2015**
**BEGINNING OF BUILD LOG PART IV: 3-26-2015**
**COMPLETION OF BUILD LOG PART IV: 11-24-2015**
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BUILD LOG PART IV:
THE SHIP MODEL SHOULD BE AT THIS STAGE OF CONSTRUCTION with the Standing Rigging completed
At this stage of the build, there was a bright blue sky and mild temperatures which provided for some great outdoor pictures of the state of the model, prior to any additions in BUILD LOG IV.
SPANKER GAFF & BOOM
Chosing a starting point is just that - a choice of where to start. The Mizzen Mast was chosen and the Spanker Gaff and Spanker Boom have been made. The Gaff is installed and the Boom is under construction. The Crossjack Yard is cut and shaped and all parts were turned on the Proxxon DB 250 Lathe.
Chosing a starting point is just that - a choice of where to start. The Mizzen Mast was chosen and the Spanker Gaff and Spanker Boom have been made. The Gaff is installed and the Boom is under construction. The Crossjack Yard is cut and shaped and all parts were turned on the Proxxon DB 250 Lathe.
On the Gaff, there are supposed to be 10 wood hoops, for attaching the Spanker and for raising and lowering it on the Gaff. The quality of the laser cut hoops was very poor, and they were not cut all the way through the wood, therefore, they had to be cut with an Xacto Blade. The pressure from the brand new sharp blade was enough where the parts got broken as can be seen in the photo. I managed to get 8 good ones out of 20, and that is what I wound up using There should be 10 and I wound up with 8. The Gaff is attached to the mast with the smallest size chain provided.
The Gaff Topping Lift is the small chain from the Mizzen Top to the eye at the end of the Gaff, and is a permanent attachment. The Boom Topping Lift is the .021" black rope attaching the Gaff to the Boom. These spars are controlled by the .012 tan ropes through 4, 1/8" Single Blocks painted white and attached at the stern and tied off to 2 of the cleats mounted inside the Hurricane House back in Build Log I.
The Boom and Gaff rigged.
This is documented pretty well on Drawing Sheet 5, but you have to look at 2 or 3 drawings and angles to figure it out. I also have photographs of the real ship showing this clearly and made more sense.
MIZZEN CROSSJACK SPAR
The Mizzen Crossjack Spar is constructed and hung on the Mizzen Mast. It is primarily used for bracing the Mains so it is permanently attached and turned on the lathe for accuracy. The Lifts are fixed and the Crossjack Guys are tied off at the aft corners to an eye which is why black ropes are used. Four Double Blocks are tied off on the yard (2 1/8" Double and 2 3/16" Double Blocks) to use with the mains and braces to follow later.
The Mizzen Crossjack Spar is constructed and hung on the Mizzen Mast. It is primarily used for bracing the Mains so it is permanently attached and turned on the lathe for accuracy. The Lifts are fixed and the Crossjack Guys are tied off at the aft corners to an eye which is why black ropes are used. Four Double Blocks are tied off on the yard (2 1/8" Double and 2 3/16" Double Blocks) to use with the mains and braces to follow later.
The Vangs rigged.
Before proceeding further with the Running Rigging, one needs to be familiar with the various terms and names of the lines to be installed. If you're not familiar with them then this table should help:
Once you figure out one yard the rest are the same.
You need something to hold the masts up: shrouds, stays, and backstays
You need to raise the yard = halyards or jeers
You need to hold the yard in to the mast = trusses or parrels
You need a line to control moving the yard horizontally = braces
You need a line to control the yard vertically = lifts
You need to hold the corner of the sail down = sheets and tacks
You need to haul the corner of the sail up = clew
You need to gather the foot of the sail up for furling = buntlines
You need to gather the sides of the sail up for furling = leech lines
There are variations in style and detail from era to era but the basics stay constant.
Fore and aft sails are slightly different:
Hoist the sail = halyard or uphaul
Lower the sail = downhaul
Hold the corner of the sail down = sheet
Some stay sails were trapezoidal so they had another line at the lower front corner = tack
Once you figure out one yard the rest are the same.
You need something to hold the masts up: shrouds, stays, and backstays
You need to raise the yard = halyards or jeers
You need to hold the yard in to the mast = trusses or parrels
You need a line to control moving the yard horizontally = braces
You need a line to control the yard vertically = lifts
You need to hold the corner of the sail down = sheets and tacks
You need to haul the corner of the sail up = clew
You need to gather the foot of the sail up for furling = buntlines
You need to gather the sides of the sail up for furling = leech lines
There are variations in style and detail from era to era but the basics stay constant.
Fore and aft sails are slightly different:
Hoist the sail = halyard or uphaul
Lower the sail = downhaul
Hold the corner of the sail down = sheet
Some stay sails were trapezoidal so they had another line at the lower front corner = tack
YARDS OR SPARS
MAIN LOWER SPAR
Choosing to start with the Lower Main Yard rather than start at the top seemed like a logical progression. It seems that starting at the top yard and working down would have too many lines in the way and make it more difficult to rig, however it should be the builder's choice. Finishing the Mizzen Crossjack finishes the Mizzen Mast with the exception of lines (Braces) that run back to it from the Main Mast and are shown in BUILD LOG VI.
MAIN LOWER SPAR
Choosing to start with the Lower Main Yard rather than start at the top seemed like a logical progression. It seems that starting at the top yard and working down would have too many lines in the way and make it more difficult to rig, however it should be the builder's choice. Finishing the Mizzen Crossjack finishes the Mizzen Mast with the exception of lines (Braces) that run back to it from the Main Mast and are shown in BUILD LOG VI.
The Gaff Downhaul block is hooked to the Outhaul and both are hooked to a rope sling tied through an eye on the mastcap. The Spanker Head Outhaul and Downhaul are also tied off. These are belayed to the proper pins 63 -64 on the mast Spider Band. All lines are described in the Mystic drawings showing proper belaying pins and numbers for the rigging lines. Sailors had to know these locations and numbers to work on sailing ships. The Vangs are rigged with a 1/8" Single Block and tied off at pins 139 and 140 installed on the rail near the Hurricane House in Build Log I. The Spanker Foot is rigged and tied off to pin 117.
The Downhaul and Halyard shown lashed together at the mast cap (top center).
The Halyard shown at the top hooks to the mast top.
The completed Mizzen.
THE MAIN LOWER YARD
Turning the Main Lower Yard on the Proxxon DB 250 Lathe using the 4-Jaw Chuck. The yard was not identified for proper size dowel and not referenced in the plans. The closest I could figure out by the measurements is that it is 1/4" in diameter. It requires a lot of turning and shaping as well as milling sheaves in the ends. It is also long and requires going through the hole in the lathe when turning the ends.
The turned Spar, Main Lower Yard, with the iron bands (heavy card stock) and iron Truss dry fitted for inspection.
Dryfitted First Yard
Adding the Jackstays (laser cut cherry) to the Main Lower Topsail yard, 1/8" single lift blocks, Footropes and Stirrups, Topsail Sheet blocks (metal), rigged with the smallest chain in kit , through the sheave holes, the Halyard Chains continue down and attach to 2 - 3/16" Single Blocks, the Thimbles are eyes set aft of the jackstays, chain sling and iron bands to the ends. This is completed on the bench and then painted and hung.
Blocks 1/8" Single and Double are stropped to the Main Top for rigging the Bunt and Leech Lines once the yard is hung.
Painted and hung off and ready to begin rigging.
The Main Sheet chains and blocks belayed to proper pins using .008" rope and pin 63 and 64 on the Fife Rail.
The lifts are rigged to 3/32" single blocks, stropped and hooked to the wire installed earlier on the mast cap. The Leech and Bunt lines are knotted and run through the Thimbles on the Spar and 1/8" Double and Single Blocks attached through the 2 eyes on each side of the Top, then belayed to proper pins below. The lifts run through the center hole in the fairleads on the mast and belay to pin 59 and 60 and the Leech & Bunt lines belay to pins 65 and 66 on the Fife Rail 3 lines per pin Port and Starboard.
The Main Lower Lifts.
This is all that will be done to this yard at this time. The Clew Lines and Braces will be done as the build continues. The Braces are added once the Mast Spars are completed in BUILD LOG PART VI.
MAIN LOWER TOPSAIL YARD
The Main Lower Topsail Yard has been turned and mostly finished. While turning the yard the decision was made to go ahead and turn the remaining yards on the Proxxon DB 250 Lathe to prep them for hanging and rigging. The pictures show the lower yards dry fitted to the Fore and Main masts but not secured or prepped.
The Main Lower Topsail Yard has been turned and mostly finished. While turning the yard the decision was made to go ahead and turn the remaining yards on the Proxxon DB 250 Lathe to prep them for hanging and rigging. The pictures show the lower yards dry fitted to the Fore and Main masts but not secured or prepped.
The Main Lower Topsail Yard is prepped and dry fitted.
The Main Lower topsail prepped and glued to the mast.
MAIN LOWER TOPSAIL
The yard is pre-rigged with the Lower Clew Lines to belay to pin 75 once mounted to the mast. Be sure to leave enough line to be able to tie to the pins easily.
The yard is pre-rigged with the Lower Clew Lines to belay to pin 75 once mounted to the mast. Be sure to leave enough line to be able to tie to the pins easily.
The Main Lower Yard prepped on the bench.
MAIN LOWER TOPSAIL YARD
The Main Lower Topsail Yard is mounted to the mast and the port and starboard Clew Lines are rigged and tied off to the proper belay pins 83 and 84 respectively (picture below).
The Main Lower Topsail Yard is mounted to the mast and the port and starboard Clew Lines are rigged and tied off to the proper belay pins 83 and 84 respectively (picture below).
I was fortunate enough to visit Mystic Seaport and the Morgan on 8-20-2015 for a photo opportunity. I took over 400 pictures of mostly the Rigging. These are posted in the Gallery Section under "The Morgan As of August 2015".
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(BUILD LOG PART IV HAS RESUMED AS OF 11-13-2015)
MAIN UPPER TOPSAIL YARD
Preparing the Main Upper Topsail Yard - a little out of of focus...
Preparing the Main Upper Topsail Yard - a little out of of focus...
Main Upper Topsail Yard almost ready to install.
The chains, blocks, Footropes and lines are pre rigged on the bench and are ready to be mounted to the Tub Parrel already mounted to the mast.
A piece of 0.6 mm chain is tied to the stropped 3/16" Single Block, and a piece of .008 tan line is attached to the other end of the block. This one end of the Chain Halyard, which will be used to tie off the Halyard at the right length for the slightly raised Main Upper Topsail Yard.
The yard is now glued and hung off on the metal Tub Parrel and is hoisted to the desired height by the Chain Halyard which goes through a sheave hole in the mast, then is attached to a "flying" block on the aft side. The block handles the chain that goes through it and then is tightened through another block rigged to the block mounted on the starboard channel. This is then belayed to pin 99 and the other end of line run to a Bullseye and then to an eye on the port side channel. This yard could be mounted all the way down to the iron band around the mast near the Lower Topsail Yard if desired. I chose to move it up the mast about a half inch for a number of reasons mainly for a little room for the rigging, and I wanted to show that it was moved up and down the mast.
The yard has not been squared yet, and there are lifts, and clews to go.
The Chain Halyard 3/16" block is shown (center block in picture)
The Main Upper Topsail Yard is now squared up, The Downhauls and Topgallant Sheet Lines are run and the Fixed Lifts are installed. Tan line is used because even though they are fixed lines, they aren't permanently in place since the yard travels up and down on the mast leaving them slack when the yard is in the up position. Therefore, they must remain flexible and not tarred.
The Lifts shown here.
The Downhaul Lines are run through the 2nd hole in the double block and belayed to pins 87 and 88 and the Topgallant Sheet Lines (attached to the chains) are run through the other hole in the double block and belayed to pins 55 and 56. The Lifts are fixed, meaning they are permanent lines that are not really working lines, but they are tan rope and not tarred or black. The lifts are just left to sag when the yard is raised. In this configuration the yard is slightly raised and the lifts are taut.
Starboard Profile. The Main Upper Topsail Yard is completed.
MAIN TOPGALLANT YARD
The Main Topgallant Yard will be the last yard on the Main Mast. There has been quite a lot of controversy over this over the decades. Some photographs and/or drawings, show a Royal Yard without the other Lookout Ring and some don't. As mentioned in the beginning of the build, this is a Double Topsail Bark Rig and does not have a Royal on either the Main or Fore Masts but has two Lookout Rings one on each Fore and Aft Masts.
MAIN TOPGALLANT YARD
The Main Topgallant Yard will be the last yard on the Main Mast. There has been quite a lot of controversy over this over the decades. Some photographs and/or drawings, show a Royal Yard without the other Lookout Ring and some don't. As mentioned in the beginning of the build, this is a Double Topsail Bark Rig and does not have a Royal on either the Main or Fore Masts but has two Lookout Rings one on each Fore and Aft Masts.
The Main Topgallant Yard is started and a Yoke has been carved to mount the yard to the mast with a Bead Parrel (see plan Sheet 4, Hull & Spar Details).
The Main Topgallant Yard has been finished, painted, glued and hung off on the mast. It is supported by the Chain Halyard, passing through a sheave in the mast and tied off to a 1/8" Block on the aft side.
The Main Mast with all Yards attached.
Starboard View
The Topgallant Clew Lines are run and belayed to pins 89 and 90, and the Topgallant Lifts are Fixed to the eyes on the end of the yard - use tan line as this is Running Rigging even though it's a fixed line.
The Chain Halyard is rigged in several layers of chains and line and belayed to pin 100. The Main Mast and Yards are now completed with the exception of the Braces which will be rigged in BUILD LOG VI.
FORE MAST - FORE LOWER YARD
The Fore Mast, Fore Lower Yard is the next yard to be constructed. It is prepped on the bench the same as the Main Lower Yard and most of the details are the same. Use the details from the Main Mast for the Fore Mast and reference Sheets 4,5 and 6 of the Sheet Drawings for all details.
FORE MAST - FORE LOWER YARD
The Fore Mast, Fore Lower Yard is the next yard to be constructed. It is prepped on the bench the same as the Main Lower Yard and most of the details are the same. Use the details from the Main Mast for the Fore Mast and reference Sheets 4,5 and 6 of the Sheet Drawings for all details.
The Fore Lower Yard is partially detailed and dry fit for reference.
Dry Fitted.
I have been wanting to properly hang the anchors and secure them with chains and since I'm now working in the bow area it's time to get it done...I put it off for some reason (procrastination) and really don't know why. Both anchors are positioned on the Anchor Pads on the rail, and secured with a chain wrapped around the anchor Fluke and tied to eyebolts on the ceiling.
The Starboard Anchor can be seen with the security chain draped over the Fluke and tied off to 2 eyes in the ceiling.
The yard is prepped with eyes, jackstays, chains, blocks and the iron topsail sheet block (metal) and is now ready for paint.
The yard is painted, hung off on the mast and glued. It has not been squared or rigged yet.
She's starting to look a lot like a ship.
The 1/8" Double and single blocks for the Buntlines are stropped and hung off on the eyes under the mast top. The Halyard Chain, run through the sheave in the mast is tied off and ready to be tied to the yard when it is attached to the mast.
The pre rigged yard is now ready to be permanently attached to the Fore Mast.
The yard is now glued in place and the Halyard Chain is attached to the center eye on the yard and tied off to the eye on the Fore Mast under the mast top.
The Fore Lower Topsail Sheet Chains, 3/16" Single Blocks and Lines are now rigged. The Line is .021" and is tied to the eyes previously installed on the deck port and starboard, then run through the blocks and tied off to pins 13, 14 respectively.
The 1/8" Single Blocks are tied to an eye at the end of the yard, then run through a 1/8" Single Block stropped with loops on both ends and hung on the 2 hooks on the mast cap previously rigged when stepping the mast back in Build Log III, running it through the aft Fairlead on each side of the Foremast, then belayed to pins 19 and 20 respectively.
Both Port and Starboard Lifts shown here, which squares the yard to the mast. Note the hook on the mast cap.
The Fore Lower Yard.
Buntlines are run by tying a large knot on one end of line and threading through the Thimbles on the yard then run through the 1/8" Double and 1/8" Single Blocks previously attached to the Fore Top, the port and starboard lines are then belayed to pins 17 and 18 (3 lines per pin P&S).
The belay points on the Fore Spider Band.
The Fore Sheet and Clew Lines are run after serving together a 1/8" Single and a 3/16" Single Block. The Clew Line originates at the 1/8" Block on the yard runs through the other 1/8" block then returning to the 1/8" block on the yard, then down to pin 23 repeating this for the Port side belaying to pin 24.
The remaining tackle 3/16" Single block originates at an eye in the rail, running through the block, returning to a sheave hole in the rail belaying to pin 53 repeating on Port side belaying to pin 54.
This completes the Fore Lower Yard.
FORE LOWER TOPSAIL YARD
FORE LOWER TOPSAIL YARD
The yard was previously turned on the Proxxon DB 250 Lathe, the sheaves and Truss holes were then milled into the yard. The Truss (metal) is then glued into the yard (could be made from brass). The loop part of theTruss has been removed leaving only the Truss part. This will glue into the 2 triangular parts that are now part of the mast. This is exactly the same procedure used in building the Main yards.
The Jackstays, steel bands (card stock) and eyes have been added.
Dry fit for reference.
The yard is pre rigged and ready to hang. Note the unique rigging of the Sheet Lines, a chain is knotted from the back side run through the milled sheave in the end of the yard, seized to a 1/8" Single block for Port & Starboard. The .012 line is tied to the Steel Truss on the Port side, run through the Port Block tied to the chain, then back to the Starboard block, back to the 1/8" Double block (inside sheave) then cut long enough to belay to the proper pin once hung on the mast. There is also a chain halyard for hanging the yard (1/2" long) tied to the eyes on the yard and the mast.
The yard is hung off and the Fore Upper Topsail Sheet Lines Starboard are rigged and belayed to pin 35, and the Clew Lines are rigged and belayed to pins 25 and 26. The Buntlines are knoted and run through the Thimble, then through the 1/8" Single blocks tied to the mast and then belayed to pins 27 and 28.
This completes the Fore Lower Topsail Yard.
THE FORE UPPER TOPSAIL YARD
The Upper Topsail Yard is prepped and ready to paint.
The yard, prepped and painted and ready to hang.
The Upper Topsail Yard attached to the Steel Tub Parrel (metal installed earlier) on the mast (again, could be made from brass).
The yard, squared with the Topgallant Sheet Lines run and belayed to pins 15 and 16. The Topgallant Downhaul Lines are run and belayed to pins 29 and 30.
The Fore Upper Topsail Yard is completed.
The Fore Topgallant Yard
The Fore Topgallant Yard
The Fore Topgallant Yard is painted, prepped and ready to hang off on the mast. The Chain Halyard is shown in the foreground.
Frontal View with all yards mounted.
Overall view showing all yards and rigging complete and in place. The Foremast is now complete.
Fore Upper Topsail Halyard, chain runs through a 3/16" block drilled out to accommodate the chain, to a bullseye tying to an eye on the Port Channel, the starboard side ties to a 3/16" Single block. The line originates at an eye on the starboard channel and a 3/16" Single Block belaying to pin 43.
Port side showing block for Upper Topsail Halyard. Needs to be straightened up.
Starboard view with all yards installed.
There is still work to be done on the Bowsprit as well as the Braces to complete the Running Rigging, but all pieces that required construction are completed at this point with the exception of the Cutting in Stage which is not that complicated. The only thing left are blocks and lines to complete the rigging, which is, Stay Sail Downhauls, Footropes on Bowsprit, Bowsprit Net, Furling Stops on the Jib Boom and the Braces. BUILD LOG PART VI covers this stage of construction.
There is still work to be done on the Bowsprit as well as the Braces to complete the Running Rigging, but all pieces that required construction are completed at this point with the exception of the Cutting in Stage which is not that complicated. The only thing left are blocks and lines to complete the rigging, which is, Stay Sail Downhauls, Footropes on Bowsprit, Bowsprit Net, Furling Stops on the Jib Boom and the Braces. BUILD LOG PART VI covers this stage of construction.
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CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN !
THIS COMPLETES BUILD LOG IV
Once again, another milestone has been accomplished. If you have reached this far you are now approaching the Finish Line. This has all been scratch built.
***BUILD LOG PART IV Completed: 11-24-2015***
Please proceed to BUILD LOG PART V
CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN !
THIS COMPLETES BUILD LOG IV
Once again, another milestone has been accomplished. If you have reached this far you are now approaching the Finish Line. This has all been scratch built.
***BUILD LOG PART IV Completed: 11-24-2015***
Please proceed to BUILD LOG PART V
