| See also: Wolfram zu
Mondfeld " Historic Ship Models " |
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OF BOOKS . . .
There is a great deal of material
available on rigging, much of it quite good. Some eras are not as well
covered as others, but for a little digging a fair amount of
information can be had on most types.
Old photographs too
are a good source. For instance the book "San Francisco Bay", by
Kemble, while not directed to modellers, contains quantities of well
reproduced photos of sail ships in their heyday. A magnifying glass
will reveal many rigging "secrets".
Rigging described in this booklet is necessarily condensed. There was a
variety of ways of doing things, according to local builders likings,
available materials and outside influences. Dating too must be somewhat
vague as often old ideas persisted long after introduction of better
ones. As example,
the deadeye vs. the more efficient turnbuckle.
OUR recommendations of a number of useful
books follow:
 Ancient
world — Egyptian, Greek, Roman ships and the Medieval —
"The
Ship" — B. Landstrom (Out of print)
16th
and 17th Centuries —
"17th Century Rigging" — R. C. Anderson
18th
Century and Early 19th Century —
"Elements of Most Making, Sail Making and Rigging" — Steel. A fine
book, excellent detail in well rendered engravings. Tables of rigging
line and block sizes, etc., for graduated ship tonnages.
"Anatomy
of Nelsons Ships" — N. Longridge. One of the finest books written and
illustrated for model makers. Concerns directly the building of a 1/4"
scale VICTORY model, c.1810, but the material is useable in
construction of all early 19th C. warships, and the crafts techniques
are applicable to all modelling.
19th
Century —
'"Young Sea Officers Sheet Anchor" — Darcy Lever. Diagrams of the work
of masting and rigging of a ship; the actual methods and principles.
Also the handling of a ship in all situations. This was a basic book
for seamen, and remained in print as a working manual the entire
century.
"Masting
and Rigging the Clipper Ship and Ocean Carrier" — H. Underhill. Fine
for mid- and late 19th C. Very good illustration and clear definition
of all parts of the full rigged ship at its zenith.
"Plank
On Frame Models" — H. Underhill. Construction in detail of the
brigantine LEON, 1870. Techniques applicable to all plank and frame
models. Two volumes.
"The
Bulk-Up Ship Model" — C. G. Davis. Plank and frame modelling of the
Revolutionary War brig LEXINGTON.
"
Seamanship" — Luce. Late 19th C. rigging and ship handling. Good
definitions and illustrations of sailing ship devices, the last days of
sail.
"The
Baltimore Clipper" — Howard I. Chapelle. The origin and development of
this handsome type which arose from economic and military needs.
Numerous plans, specifications.
"Modelling
the Brig-of-War IRENE"—E. W. Petrejus. In English translation,
undoubtedly the finest and most interesting reference on shipbuilding
and rigging practice of the early 19th century.
"The
Art of Rigging" — G. Biddlecombe. Just that as of 1848. A classic.
General . . .
"Boat
Building" —H. I. Chapelle. On wood construction. illustrations.
"History
of American Sailing Ships" — H. I. Chapelle. A fine reference, many
plans and illustrations.
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"History of the
American Sailing Navy" — H. I. Chapelle. A fine reference, many plans
and illustrations.
"The Shipwrights
Trade" — Abell. Design and construction techniques thru the ages.
Historic approach. (Out of print)
"Nautical Dictionary"
— Ansted. An excellent low priced dictionary. Old encyclopedias are a
good source of contemporary marine information, but their language may
be archaic and obscure.
"The Search For
Speed" — Howard I. Chapelle, 1967. A monumental, gripping work of our
foremost marine historian. An analysis of numerous designs and plans,
tied in with their historical significance.
"American Ship
Models" — V. R. Grimwood. Designs, details and text for 12 ship models.
Suitable for the advanced ship modeller.
Crafts Books . . .
"Modelling The Flying
CLOUD" — James Tate. The very good and detailed guide suitable to
building any mid-century clipper model. As originally printed in
Popular Mechanics Magazine.
"Sharpening Small
Tools" — Duplex.
"The Ship Model
Builders Assistant" — Charles G. Davis. Advice and design on ship model
fittings by a mature builder.
"Ships In Bottles" —
J. P. Lauder. Lucid description of a pleasant bypath in modelling. Note
that all the books mentioned above are in print and available as of
this date, 1968.
TOOLS...
Modelling from kits
can be done with a very few tools, but most workers enjoy the gradual
accumu' lation of specialized hand tools, often designed and made by
themselves for a certain job. Get good quality tools — they will
outlast you. The beginner can start his tool chest from the following
list:
Chisels — 1/8”, 3/8”,
and 1" widths, approximately. Keep razor sharp.
Dividers — with 2-3"
span.
Scale rule — steel,
6”.
Scriber — used also
as an awl, hole punch, etc.
Small plane —1”
blade. For smoothing long surfaces, thinning wood strips, shaping
spars, etc.
Pin vise —
lightweight to take the smallest drills ranging from 1/16" down to
No.75, which size is good for opening pin size holes.
Pliers — needle nose
and flat jaw, 4 or 5 inches long.
Tweezers — with firm,
accurate occlusion. Watch out for various suitable types.
Manicure scissors —
for rigging work. Jewelers saw frame and blades — for metal work if
called for. Spring clothes pins — as clamps. Shape the jaws if
necessary. Jewelers hammer.
Hand drill — avoid
ones with crude action and poor chucks. A small power tool, too is
useful.
Knives — such as
X-ACTO, with assorted blades. Small C-clamps — 1, 2" throats.
Magnifying glasses,
such as Magnifocuser, 8-10" focus for the delicate parts making. Small
files, assorted shapes such as round, square, oval, flat, etc. Useful
Books For Beginners —
G. Campbell,
"Neophyte ShipmodeIIers Jackstay"
G. Johnson, "Ship
Model Building"
W. Pratt, "Ship
Modellers Notebook"
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Contents
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Model
scale
Ship lines
The hull, woodworking
Holes in the hull
Gun ports
Decks, laying of
Rails and channels
Wales
Stern and galleries
Head and its rails
Figurehead
Rudder
Steering gear
Deck furniture
Windlass
Capstan
Hatches
Skylights
Hammock nettings
Painting the model, colors
Waterline
Rigging:
The spars
Tops,
crosstrees, cheeks
Mast,
boom, gaff, yards
Lower
and upper yards,
halliards
The
double topsail
Lifts,
footropes, sheets, braces, clew garnets
Yard
bands
Making the spars
Ironwork
Bowsprit, dolphin striker,
the doublings
Top, construction
Shrouds, deadeyes, lanyards
Books & Tools,
recommendations
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