Been a while since I posed any progress picture, but between working and restoring an old truck I keep forgetting to post. I’m finishing up the Jib Boom and forestay rigging today. Will start rigging the years with footroops. Tying the ratlines seems to tak forever. One thing I’ve learned is you need a good sippin’ whisket. I tried Jack Daniels Honey but I found it still has the sour mash edge to it. the Wild Turkey is a LOT smoother. They good together like nothing else.
Sorry that should be Yards, too much whiskey?
Sir,
I would suggest, instead of whiskey, a half pint or “2 gills” of rum.
Cut with cool water… or not. It depends on how much rigging you have to do.
I would also suggest also adding a bit of lime juice. You don’t want to get scurvy, you know.
Fare thee well and God bless America.
Sincerely,
Captain Isaac Hull
USS Constitution.
U.S. Naval shipyards
Norfolk, Virginia.
1812
Looking good Jake!
The rigging is what put me off on my build many, (many), ((many)) years ago.
Been thinking about pulling my old Constitution out and working on it, but it looks like there’s enough Constitution builds going on right now.
It’s been many years since I’ve spoken to my friend Jack Daniels, haven’t tried the new honey. a good friend of mine likes it quite a bit.
Adrian
Jake
That looks very clean, crisp, and smooth… The ship looks good too!
Jake; bourbon and models don’t mix. Must be why I don’t model much.
LOL
Makers Mark at a minimum. I’ve been drinking a little Knob Creek, Buffalo Trace and Bulleit Rye now and then.
You are further along on yours than I am on the Victory you sold me. Must be the Royal Navy Rum.
Your Frigate looks great, more pics please. Did your kit have the crew? They are a big plus on that kit.
Regards, Bill
Nice, Big Jake, what era does your build represent?
I "think I’m doin ghte 1812 version with the solid mid-ships bulwards. (as she sits today) unless they changed it already. I was told they are going to removed them and go back the the wrought iron stantions and netting. (LIke the type the kit comes with, whichI never did like).
BTW I have all the build pictures in this webshots album.
home-and-garden.webshots.com/…/579191039SNookZ
Jake
I “think” I’m doing the 1812 version with the solid mid-ships bulwards. (as she sits today) unless they changed it already. I was told they are going to removed them and go back the the wrought iron stantions and netting. (LIke the type the kit comes with, which I never did like).
BTW I have all the build pictures in this webshots album.
home-and-garden.webshots.com/…/579191039SNookZ
Jake
Has anyone built the 1/96 Revell kit with : two of the aft windows cut open & cannons added, the transum board cut open in two placess & cannons added, a port & starboard cannon added at the fore mast, and a chace cannon on both sides of the bow sprit ? I saw this depicted in an oil painting entialted : the long rietreat. this was when the Constitution was becomed in port with the British fleaght,and was roowing its ancurs out in its ships boats - dumping them - and winching them back in, to pull the ship away from the British fleat.
Jake -
They did indeed remove the solid bulwarks at the waist (and lowered the high bulwarks along the spar deck)…
It was determined that the 1927 restoration based the solid version on plans and photos from the 1850’s. It was mistakenly thought that it would stiffen the longitudinal strength of the ship to counter the buoyant forces that induce hogging. In reality all it did was introduce about 40 tons of stress down to the keel.
It was never, unfortunately, correct for the War of 1812 glory years.
We do, however, see that in 1812 the waist did have canvas cloth stretched across the front of the railing and painted black:
This is a close up of a contemporary paining commissioned by Commodore Isaac Hull himself and supervised by his purser Thomas Chew. The photo isn’t quite sharp enough to show the detail of the fabric wrinkles of the stretched canvas that you can see represented on the actual painting (collection of the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem MA). Note the yellow stripe - that is a whole other topic…!
Santa - it would be very interesting to see someone build a Connie as she appeared during her great escape from Broke’s squadron to start the war. The account from Moses Smith, who was on board that day, suggests that the number one 24 pdr gun was hoisted up from the bow of the gun deck and positioned at the stern to join the 18 pdr chase gun pointing out the holes hastily whacked into the taffrail. The stern gallery windows were also apparently smashed out to allow for a few of the 24 pdrs to fire astern. I don’t think there is any other evidence to support the two long guns up on the bow during that escape.
Thanks