My current project is to convert Thorn to a Baltimore Clipper. These are the new masts under construction. I must still cut them down and add topmasts and the foretopsail.
Ship sloop to Baltimore Clipper
My current project is to convert Thorn to a Baltimore Clipper. These are the new masts under construction. I must still cut them down and add topmasts and the foretopsail.
Can't wait to see it finished.
Oooo! Did someone say a clipper?
Nice! I expect it will look quite nice on the game table. Can't wait to see how she turns out!
"It's not the towering sails, but the unseen wind that moves a ship."
–English Proverb
They look like they are coming on very nicely!
Waiting for more pic...
Big boats take the glory, little boats make the sailor
Hmm I too look forward to seeing the finished boat
Hopefully I can post a progress picture or two tomorrow. For now, I am focusing on the masts. Thorn remains intact until the masts are deemed a success. It's getting close. I used the mizzen topsail from a previous Thorn for the Foretopsail on the schooner, and it looks great. I am painting the masts and sails now.
Not a great picture, but it shows the direction I'm headed, and my almost finished brig! The foremast will come off and be replaced with the foremast in the background. For now it remains so that I have a straight mast to square the main up with.
Very nice! I will be following in your foot steps. Just googled the Balimore Clipper and found this site, New to me, likely not to you pros. Ageofsail.net wonderful photos of the model of the ship and its history. Always something new . . .
It looks very promising, waiting for the next stages pic.
Good find DavidOriginally Posted by Clipper1701
Big boats take the glory, little boats make the sailor
I just found a spare Thorn in my boxes of ships! Sea Elves to the quarterdeck!
Looks great! Keep the photos coming!
"It's not the towering sails, but the unseen wind that moves a ship."
–English Proverb
I have stripped my Thorn and awaiting further instructions! May carve some hulls to match and make a "Clipper's fleet of clippers" - is that allowed?
Work has been getting in the way. More progress reports soon...
I am painting the masts prior to installation, and need to get to a hobby shop for more black! Hobby shops are in short supply in northeastern Maryland.
I made my masts out of carbon fiber rod, which I got from an RC hobby shop. The topmasts are a slightly smaller diameter than the courses, which are slightly smaller than the stock Thorn masts. The sails are styrene sheet. I added the twist by pulling them over a table edge. I moved the headsails aft to make the jib into a staysail, and am planning on adding a flying jib in front of the two, made from a leftover headsail from my Proserpine that was sacrificed for my brig.
Ah yes, "sacrifices must be made". I have a dismembered bits box, lavishly added to by finding a great deal on broken ships a while back, some stores were clearing them out at $3 each! Lots of bits . . . lots of possibilities!
Last edited by Clipper1701; 04-27-2016 at 21:44.
With the dearth of smaller craft, I can see many more conversions in the pipeline.
The carbon fibre mast idea is great.
How well does it glue?
Rob.
I use CA, and it glues very well.
Thanks Dobbs.
I will certainly look into getting some carbon fibre then.
Rob.
I think you will be very satisfied. It beats the heck out of aluminum rod.
Have you had the chance to experiment with the gun blacking on the shrouds? I have one set, and have not gotten to that project yet.
Incidently, On the Thorn hulls, I cut the platforms that the mizzen shrouds attach to off, as a schooner wouldn't have them. What are they called? I used to know, and for the life of me cannot remember.
I have gone through all my cupboards in the workshop and can't seem to find either my gun blacking or my Brass dulling chemicals. I think I may have lent them out, but will get some at the next Trader's Fair or event this Summer.
The platforms of which you speak are the mizzen channels supported below by the chains.
Rob.
I just came across this older YouTube video on the Pride of Baltimore and Pride II. It's fairly long so you may wish to skip through portions, but it is interesting and I certainly found it informative. Cheers!
"It's not the towering sails, but the unseen wind that moves a ship."
–English Proverb
Certainly historically interesting, plus the ship building process, and shots of the handling, sails settings in different conditions, etc.
Thanks for digging this out Jim.
Rob.
At long last, the schooner Enterprise and her as yet un-named semi-sister brig. A ship rigged sloop loiters in the background for comparison.
May I be the first to congratulate you on a very fine pair of vessels Dobbs.
I may well emulate your fine modelling skills in order to add more ships to my HEIC Squadron.
Rob.
And let me be the second! I will begin "operation clipper rigging" on Tuesday, as soon as I come to land again! Thanks for the inspiration, I have two in the dry docks awaiting my attention - the sea elves are rather pre-occupied with Yorktown and Enterprise . . .
Just ordered a Thorn for conversion.
Just hope it won't prove to be a thorn in my side.
Rob.
Wow, these are so cool! I'm so very tempted to try my hand as well. Congrats on a job very well done.
Really nice job. I'd rep you but I'm all out!
Well done, Dobbs! That was great modelling.
I'm guessing that brig used a 40 gun Hébé-class spanker? It looks better than mine that use a 74 gun ship's spanker. Mine also have to be a snau.
I will have to do a schooner or a Bermuda clipper sooner or later. They are beautiful.
You are correct, Jonas, I had an extra Proserpine. Now, the remains look more like Guerriere after meeting the Constitution!
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks