Model Sailing Ship Sitemap

01. Introduction - The theme of this little book is essentially Hobbyism. I have used model ship building as an example because it has brought me personally a great deal of contentment and many rewards. Other types of modelling are equally satisfying as long as they involve hand work-There is also an element of complete control to modelling; only the urge within governs the working hours. It does not interfere with social activities or restrict our lawful occasions. Time has no tide except the workman's own moods.

02. Changing Scene - The present revolutionary trend in Model Shipbuilding is more than a renaissance. New sources of information have been provided by research workers: new emphasise has been placed on the value of a rewarding hobby; an entirely new concept of craftsmanship has emerged during the past fifteen years. Marine archaeology, employing new technology, has enriched the knowledge of the craftsman. Historical significance and beauty have, in many cases, replaced popularity and sentiment.

03. Primary Course - The selection of models for the Primary Course is restricted mostly to fore and aft rigged vessels, which are simple to rig, and do not confuse the beginner. The inclusion of Joe Lane to be rigged at the final part of this course is meant to provide the student with some knowledge of square rigging, without getting too involved with multiplicity of rigging too soon.

04. Model Ship Anatomy - The most effective form of tuition that I know of is for the student and teacher to build a model ship together, from raw materials to completion and from keel to truck; improvising their patterns, plans and sketches in the process. Scaled drawings alone do not teach the why and wherefore of a ship's structure. There is no substitute for actual practice in mechanical construction because, in the process of fashioning each simple part, visualization of the next one ahead is understood, which is denied to the casual reader. Only experience can provide the knowledge to comprehend the anatomy of a ship.

05. Nautical Atmosphere - Successful model shipbuilding is not all mechanics. Modelers should possess a background knowledge of essential nautical practices that serve them well in the process of modeling. Good workmanship is very important, because when flagrant errors and nautical boners occur, the finished product looks ridiculous and amateurish.

06. Intermediate Course - These well known nineteenth century American clippers have been selected as examples of study during the 2nd Phase of Model Building, because they represent an age of splendor, performance and historical significance. Aside from the construction of them, there is a patriotic pride of possession attached to each one of them.

07. Masterpiece - I have selected the five ships illustrated for the final phase of model building, because they represent different periods of construction and are all famous.

None of them present any major building problems to an experienced modeler because complete details are available.

08. Modeling Sea Venture - The Drawing 59, and the specifications in the text, details information in two scales. Viz: the 12" model which is fully detailed on the drawings, scaled at 10' to the inch, and the 24" model which is scaled at 5' to the inch. References to measurements in the text designated "your scales" mean the scale you are using. Hence, one foot on your scale would be one 1/10th of an inch on the rule if you build the 12" model, and 1/5th of an inch if you build the 24" model.

09. Precious Model Ships - The principal object of this chapter is to reveal and provide leads and contacts to sources of information for those modelers who are interested in research work. The models exhibited were all dug up out of the dust of time. No plans or pictures of them existed and no one knew what they looked like. They are all national treasures of great historical importance, or precious symbols that appeal to descendants of bygone shipmasters, builders or operators.

Glossary Nautical Terms - ARQUEBUSSES Old fashioned blunderbusses about 3" bore for scouring the deck with shot, nails or metal parts; murderous at close range.

B. P. Between perpendiculars; from stem to stern post.

BEAKHEAD That part of the fore deck extending beyond the stem head.

BOARDING Vertical planks overside for boarding an enemy ship, obsolete after 1591.

Appendix - Model kits and parts are available from many sources. The yellow pages of your local telephone book provide a list of these suppliers. If, however, you require a variety of items, the general supplier is the most practical, because he stocks materials from many manufacturers and you can obtain all your requirements from one source. This is a great advantage if you have to shop by post. I mention two firms for the modeler's benefit because both have a general catalog containing everything needed and have served me promptly and well for many years.

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