How to convert a Nexus Sloop to a Bomb Ketch.

[Bligh]

British Bomb Ketch.



The “bomb” is a floating weapons platform, usually adapted from a small, two-masted ketch. The whole ship is constructed around a single large-calibre mortar.
Strongly-built bomb ketches must withstand the recoil of repeated mortar discharges. Often chains replace the rigging ropes nearest the mortar to prevent muzzle blast damage. They are the only naval vessels to carry and use explosive shells, making them a hazardous assignment. As a mark of all their explosive qualities, they often had volcanic names! The fact that the ketch should be at anchor in order to fire accurately also makes them easy targets for any return fire.
Bomb ketches are not good sailing ships. The mortar has to be on the centre line, with a clear vertical field of fire. This means that the masts had to be aft of their ideal positions, making the ship handling qualities rather poor. With these limitations in mind, however, they are a powerful addition to any admiral’s firepower. The ability to deliver shells by indirect fire (lobbing shells into fortifications, for example) is very useful.
Historically, the bomb ketch was a French invention, but other nations perfected the idea. The British mounted the mortar on a rotating platform so that it was no longer necessary to move the whole vessel to change aim. “The Star-Spangled Banner”, the US national anthem, commemorates these ships with the line “the bombs bursting in air.”

With this in mind I decided it was time to provide my Fleet with this most useful addition.


Firstly I carefully removed the masts from the Sloop, and discarded the redundant Main mast.


Then I drilled a hole at 45 degrees in the foredeck and fitted the Mortar barrel.



Next came a careful paring away of part of the Poop Deck with a chisel to shorten it's length. The black portion shows the remove. Be careful not to remove the bulwarks as well.



Follow this with filing back the bulwarks to about two thirds the original length.



Carefully remove the top sail from the Mizzen mast.
Drill a hole for a metal peg to secure it to the deck.



Repeat for the Foremast which will now become the new Main mast.
Then drill holes in the deck for the new masts.



Shape extra Gib sail from redundant Mainmast.




After painting the mortar black and repainting the deck, trial masts for fit.



Glue in all masts and Bowsprit.



Now all the ship needs is a new flag, set of cards and ship card.

Rob.

[Redcoat]

Good job Rob!
Interesting boat, I suppose it could just shoot sideways, right?

[Comte de Brueys]

Intersting project, Rob.

Don't know if I could do this to one of my sloops...

What's the name of this mortar ship?

[Union Jack]

Bomb vessels were usually named after volcanoes, or in some way suggestive of hell and fire.

1793 there were 2 bomb vessels
1799 there were 14
1805 there were 19
1812 only 13

Usually carried 2 mortars, 10ins, 13ins and by removing bulwarks could fire sideways.

Copied from the French who used them Africa, initially ketch rigged to fire forwards but proved to be unbalanced and poor sailing so reverted to being ship rigged by 1790 and fired sideways.

Neil

[Clipper1701]

Which sloop did you use?

[Bligh]

Which sloop did you use?

The sloop was Thorn as it is superfluous to my needs David.
Rob.

[Bligh]

Here are the cards.





Rob.

[Union Jack]

Great job on the cards Rob. Thought you would include the fore arc as the bomb sketch was designed to fire forward?

[Bligh]

Even I have my limitations Neil.
I am using the swivel platform method as the Games Mistress said to the Gardiner.
Here is the finished model complete with Ensign and its damage card etc.







Still working on the shell smoke effect!





I may alter the movement cards and stats if I ever get the time.
If not, it's only me playing the game so what!




Rob.

[Union Jack]

Cracking job Rob. Cracking.

[Bligh]

Thanks Neil.
It may now give me the courage to start on that Razee Frigate this winter.
Rob.

[Union Jack]

A quick copy cut and paste with the mortar forward firing arc on Rob. Use the other arc for the 6 pounder broadside. I'll have a bash later putting the other 2 arcs back on for you if you want?

Neil

[Bligh]

Thanks Neil.
That would be most useful.
Rob.

[Naharaht]

There is a 1970's/80's MICRO MATRIX 1/1000 SCALE WARGAME MAN O WAR BOMB KETCH metal model kit for sale on eBay. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3218497355...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

There are also three other auctions of 1/1000 scale Micro Matrix ships. Perhaps someone could convert them to Shapeways models.

[Union Jack]

To late ketch gone.

[Naharaht]

The frigate, the two third-rate ships and the first-rate ship are still available.

[Clipper1701]

indeed, waiting for my ship to come in Monday here in the desert : )

[TexaS]

Great work Rob!

Very inspiring pictures. I find I want to make one myself, but right now time is short.

[Torrence]

Splendid work!

And the "firing effect" is just brilliant!

[Clipper1701]

My ship came in! Although it has to wait for 6 IJN Destroyers get through the dry dock . . .

[Bligh]

What! You mean a whole two days Dave?
Rob.

[Bligh]

Here are a couple of shots I took at the weekend of a mortar being fired.









Rob.