The Longboats' Chronicle
Edition 4, Mar 29th.
Sponsored by:
Town of Shelburne
Municipality of Barrington
Transcontinental Media
Municipality of the District of Shelburne
Website sponsored and created by:
©copyright 2007/2008 The Official website of the Loyalist Landing 2008 Society.
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy
Nova Scotia Tourism, Culture and Heritage
South West Shore Development Authority
Clarence Betleyoun Fine Art
Major Sponsors:
UELAC
Loyalist Group Supporters
seven will be put on after we have turned the boat over. It’s just too cumbersome to put the remaining streaks on with the boat sitting upright - there is only about six inches of clearance between the keel and the floor.
Another couple of weeks have passed in the saga of the longboats and despite the continuing bad weather in these parts, good progress has been made on the first longboat. We have fastened the first five rows of planking on both the starboard and larboard sides, starting with the sheer streak and working down toward the keel. She’s looking more and more like a boat every day! There will be 12 streaks on each side when finished, but the remaining
The first picture shows the boat just before we attached the second part of the third streak. Notice the clamps at the ready.
The second picture shows us - with Bill in the forefront - in action putting the third plank on. The shape and size of each plank is determined by Bill using his spiralling batten, rule and immeasurable experience. Once the lines are drawn, the plank is rough cut on the table saw. A mate is then drawn and cut for the opposite side of the boat. By making identical planks, the symmetry of the boat is maintained.
The planks are then planed to the exact size and shape - fine-tuning, really. Special attention is taken to ensure the correct bevel, established by Bill with his trusty bevel gauge, is produced so that there is room for the caulking between the planks.
Planing is one job left to the most experienced builders among the team and Curtis Mahaney, shown in these next pictures, is one of the best at doing this work.
Planing is one job left to the most experienced builders among the team and Curtis Mahaney, shown in these next pictures, is one of the best at doing this work.
After we finished attaching the five rows of planking, the top part of the frames have been removed, the tops of the timbers have been sawn flush, the location of the seat risers and the seats have been determined, and, the hull has been sanded and “pentoxed”.
This next picture shows what “she” looked like at close of business on Friday, 28 March 2008. Work will continue on the inside of the boat next week.
This next picture shows what “she” looked like at close of business on Friday, 28 March 2008. Work will continue on the inside of the boat next week.
Before ending this entry, I would like our readers to keep in mind that the oars for the boats will be offered for sponsorship.
To help us defray the costs of building and equipping the Shelburne longboats, individuals/ groups will be able to sponsor an oar, or two or even more. For your money, we will welcome you to the “Order of the Oar” whereby your name will be inscribed on an oar and on a plaque, which will be kept in a suitable location for posterity. You would also have an opportunity to have your picture taken with your oar in one of the longboats. You might even get a chance to use the oar if circumstances permit. Prices have not been cast in concrete, but $160/oar, $300/pair will be close. If you are interested at this point, please either click for Oar Sponsorship Information or Drop us an E-Mail.
In closing, readers will recall that our longboat is off a plan for the Bounty’s launch, the one sailed by Capt Bligh to Timor after the mutiny. Yesterday, while flipping through our myriad TV channels, I noticed that “The Mutiny of the Bounty” - the 1980’s version was playing on Bravo. My wife and I could not resist watching it. While the movie is entertaining in its own right, I personally spent most of the time checking out the launch whenever it was in the viewing area. That’s what ours will look like……..
To help us defray the costs of building and equipping the Shelburne longboats, individuals/ groups will be able to sponsor an oar, or two or even more. For your money, we will welcome you to the “Order of the Oar” whereby your name will be inscribed on an oar and on a plaque, which will be kept in a suitable location for posterity. You would also have an opportunity to have your picture taken with your oar in one of the longboats. You might even get a chance to use the oar if circumstances permit. Prices have not been cast in concrete, but $160/oar, $300/pair will be close. If you are interested at this point, please either click for Oar Sponsorship Information or Drop us an E-Mail.
In closing, readers will recall that our longboat is off a plan for the Bounty’s launch, the one sailed by Capt Bligh to Timor after the mutiny. Yesterday, while flipping through our myriad TV channels, I noticed that “The Mutiny of the Bounty” - the 1980’s version was playing on Bravo. My wife and I could not resist watching it. While the movie is entertaining in its own right, I personally spent most of the time checking out the launch whenever it was in the viewing area. That’s what ours will look like……..
He maintains that a sharp plane is the key to a good job.
Lots of practice is key as well!
The planks are then fed into our steam box and after the appropriate period of steaming they are removed, hurried into the boat shop and put in place with a combination of clamps and wedges to ensure they are perfectly positioned. Once we are satisfied that we have achieved perfection, holes are drilled through the plank and into the timbers to receive the screws. Stainless steel screws are then used to secure each plank. It takes some 65-95 screws for each plank depending on the width of each one.
Lots of practice is key as well!
The planks are then fed into our steam box and after the appropriate period of steaming they are removed, hurried into the boat shop and put in place with a combination of clamps and wedges to ensure they are perfectly positioned. Once we are satisfied that we have achieved perfection, holes are drilled through the plank and into the timbers to receive the screws. Stainless steel screws are then used to secure each plank. It takes some 65-95 screws for each plank depending on the width of each one.
