Ship Model

The Sir Edward Hawke
Photo taken in 2009

Built by Donald R. Whittemore

A plank on frame model in ½ inch equals 1 foot scale
A Brig built at New York for the
British Navy in 1767

Model keel laid down May 30, 1992
Construction hours to date 1,708 hours

Dimensions
Length of keel 40 inches
Length at rail 46 inches
Length overall 76 inches
Foremast height 52 inches
Mainmast height 58 inches
Height overall 62 inches

Construction methods – Plank on frame
Ribs – Mahogany and poplar
Hull – double planked maple under poplar
Deck – double planked maple under birch
Hull below water line – 900 sheets of copper
Fastening for copper plates – 11,000 iron spikes
Trennals (wood pegs) – 16,000 birch pegs

Other materials: birch, maple, cherry, basswood,
mahogany, poplar, bamboo, brass, copper, lead, iron cotton and linen

Bow view from waterline, 2009.

Midship view from waterline, 2009.

Stern view from waterline, 2009.

Fore mast base with bits, jeers, pin rail and main mast forestays. The colored plastic are bits of plastic drinking straws used to color code the lines while rigging the yards to the correct pin in the rails, 2009.

Main mast base showing main hatches, bilge pumps, jeers, pinrails, Captain’s cabin and poop deck ladders. The colored plastic are bits of plastic drinking straws used to color code the lines while rigging the yards to the correct pin in the rails, 2009.

Main deck looking aft, 2002.

Main hatch, windlass and foremast, 2002

Poopdeck, tiller, binnacle and cabin skylight, 2002.

Foredeck, bowsprit, riding bits and bearding on the deck planks, 2008.

I have completed 90% of the running rigging.  Below are photos from April 2010.

Bow view looking aft. Not the forestays and hearts.  Pinrails have been added on the port and starboard bulkheads and most of the running rigging is in place. 4-6-10.

View from the poop deck rail looking toward the base of the main mast.  The braces and lifts are in place and I have started to coil lines on the pinrails.  You can see the sister mast and boom behind the main mast.  The fishing weights are holding the lines under tension during this operation.  4-6-10.

View from the base of the foremast showing the run of the braces. 4-6-10.

These are the steps required in making the cleats.  I use cherry for its tight grain and ease of carving.   I’ll need a couple of dozen of these, and it could be tedious work, but made easier by mass producing them.   I always make more than I think I’ll need and pick the best of the group before adding to the model.   Each cleat will fit on a dime.

A newly carved cleat on a dime. 4-6-10.

Next installment:

Once the running rigging is complete, I will start on the small boats which include the Captain’s gig, the launch and jolly boat.  Three anchors and tackle are next, followed by turning and casting the cannon barrels.  Mounting and installing the cannon follows this.  I have 1,700 hours to date and I think I’ll need another 300 hours to get all the remaining details installed.  Stay tuned!

Don