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Shelburne, 27 January 2008
Longboat Diary Entry Number 1
Your loyal scribe,
Jim Mahaney
This diary will use 12 Jan 08 as the “official” start date for construction of the two longboats. This is somewhat artificial since a lot of planning, logistical work and general preparation preceded that date. Nevertheless, everything needs an official start point and 12 Jan is as good as any.
Longboat Diary Entry Number 1
Your loyal scribe,
Jim Mahaney
This diary will use 12 Jan 08 as the “official” start date for construction of the two longboats. This is somewhat artificial since a lot of planning, logistical work and general preparation preceded that date. Nevertheless, everything needs an official start point and 12 Jan is as good as any.
Over the next several months, I will keep you abreast of the progress of the longboat construction. As well, I will look back at what we did before 12 Jan 08, I will add some historical perspective to the boats and I will introduce some of the builders. In all, it should be a fun journey - there is a lot to do and, for most of us, a lot to learn. I hope you stay tuned…..
So on 12 Jan, after much preparation - more on this in time - Bill Cox, our expert on building wooden boats, started drawing the lines for our longboats on paper laid out on the floor of the “mill building”. This building is one of several buildings once used in the construction of wooden boats at the former Cox Shipyard - more on this at a later date. We are very grateful to Ken Fisher of Rodney, Ontario and a member of 1812 Crown Forces North America, who supplied the plans for the boats. The initial picture in the top right of this page is a quick glimpse of a section of “our” longboat plans.
So on 12 Jan, after much preparation - more on this in time - Bill Cox, our expert on building wooden boats, started drawing the lines for our longboats on paper laid out on the floor of the “mill building”. This building is one of several buildings once used in the construction of wooden boats at the former Cox Shipyard - more on this at a later date. We are very grateful to Ken Fisher of Rodney, Ontario and a member of 1812 Crown Forces North America, who supplied the plans for the boats. The initial picture in the top right of this page is a quick glimpse of a section of “our” longboat plans.
On 14 Jan, several dory boards were moved from the mill building to the boat shop where they were cut to size for a steam box. It will be necessary to steam our longboat planks in order to bend them to the shape of the frames. The steam box is about 17” wide, 12” deep and approximately 25’ long, and will accommodate two boards at a time.
On 17 Jan, we moved the lumber for the keel, stem, transom, stern post and timbers into the boat shop. One thing that we have learned to date about building wooden boats is that everything is heavy - “light” was apparently not a word in the lexicon of boat builders!
Leaping ahead to 22 Jan, work started on the first keel. Bill and Milford Buchanan, our project supervisor, struck a chalk line and using a combination of power tools (not exactly authentic tools of past builders, but effective and efficient), hand tools and keen eyes, started the exacting work of squaring the keel. Work continued over several days as, at this point, we’re only working part-time on the project. By the next diary entry, the keel should be laid. The piece of oak for the keel measures approximately 6” by 3 ˝” and 19’ long.
On 17 Jan, we moved the lumber for the keel, stem, transom, stern post and timbers into the boat shop. One thing that we have learned to date about building wooden boats is that everything is heavy - “light” was apparently not a word in the lexicon of boat builders!
Leaping ahead to 22 Jan, work started on the first keel. Bill and Milford Buchanan, our project supervisor, struck a chalk line and using a combination of power tools (not exactly authentic tools of past builders, but effective and efficient), hand tools and keen eyes, started the exacting work of squaring the keel. Work continued over several days as, at this point, we’re only working part-time on the project. By the next diary entry, the keel should be laid. The piece of oak for the keel measures approximately 6” by 3 ˝” and 19’ long.
This picture shows Bill in the centre, describing some of the details important when drawing the lines to several of the volunteers who will help build the boats. The progress of drawing the lines will depend, in part, on the weather since the mill building is not heated!
Left to Right: Jim Mahaney, Ronnie Cox, Bill Cox, Milford Buchanan, Fred Greenwood.
Left to Right: Jim Mahaney, Ronnie Cox, Bill Cox, Milford Buchanan, Fred Greenwood.
For those of you with a keen eye, you should be able to find the keel in the centre of the photo. It took several men to carry it when it was originally delivered!
That’s it for now! I will try to update the file weekly or as important milestones are achieved. We gladly welcome comments from boat builders, interested bystanders or anyone else concerning our longboat project just Click on "Comment Here" at the top right of the page.
