30ft 1890's navy steam launch 1/6th scale

[crueby]

With the top/bottom halves of the keel glued together, how are you going to get the frames in? The inner keel is usually used to lock them in place once they are installed.   

[tghs]

they will come in from each side (may have internal tenon overlap) but along with the frames there is a floor timber connected to them that follows the frames about 1/3 of the way.. this keeps all in place,, I plan on steam bending 3/4" stock to get a frame blank,once the frame outline is cut it will be sawn in half giving a matched pair.. my thickness sander will take them down to the scale 1/4" thick..

[tghs]

the keel is wide as boats go, the long mortice will allow the floor timber to pass through turn and lock in (a little rounding on oposite corners) the frames lock it all in place,, also all the bottom points of the frames and timbers are removed to make water passages so water won't get trapped between ribs, also 3 cross keel passages .. trying to stay true to the 1900 plans as much as possible.. the stem and stern sections were glued to the keel today and will sit in the clamps overnight under Slim's watchful eyes (not having eyelids helps)

[crueby]

Great to have such detailed plans, right down to the limber holes.   

[tghs]

this 1900 standard designes for navy boats is a fantastic book, 15"x12.5"x1.5" I've had my gloved hands on one in a library rare book room, plans for everything from a 6ft work punt to a 40ft steam cutter,, pages for gear carried, hull furniture, staff heads and carvings.. I don't have it yet, but the deal has been cut.. the binding in the book I'm getting is gone, but this means the pages can removed and laid flat for scanning or photos.. (would hate to do this to a 123 year old book with a good binding)

[crueby]

That's an amazing find! Sounds like it will be good for a bunch more projects.

[Charles Lamont]

"Staving wash and cherry alternately" !

[tghs]

lots of great wood.. during this period the navy was trying to make everything in America, guns,steel, engines ,boilers and castings.. along with this was use of non-imported woods.. some ironwood (lignum vitae) was used for shaft bushings and steering drum.. there is a plan sheet for the spindle seat supports and the boat chest..

[tghs]

That's an amazing find! Sounds like it will be good for a bunch more projects.

  the strange one that isn't in the plan book but there are a few scant photos and writing mentions was a 24- 28ft steam powered whaleboat,, looks like a small compound engine mounted off the centerline so the prop would be alongside the rudder.. small boiler placed off to the other side of the center to balance things out.. looks like 2 of these were made as a test..

[tghs]

keel out of the clamps,, all looks straight,,  fit it on the mill, drilled and milled for the hoist fittings.. cleaned off the building board and swapped out the profile for the overhead plan, (it's glued down so the keel and ribs can the fixed down during the hull build) with a long shaft in the stuffing tube checked alignment  slim approves and said it was DEAD ON (he should know) and may get a bonus to his non-existing pay..

[MJM460]

Beautiful work and amazing detail, tghs.  Thanks for showing us in your detailed posts.

I am learning lots to help improve my next model.

MJM460

[tghs]

the needed fresh white oak lumber(northern Wisconsin, slow growth) for the ribs and other parts is on it's way.. working on a non-reactive steam box to keep the oak "white".. found the one photo of the steam whaleboat,1894.. she is an odd duck..

[tghs]

after some shaft and bearing galling,, new SS shaft and bearings,, cleaned shaft tube,, a block was made for the shaft  at the engine mounting point,, height, angle and center,, keeping the shaft long the tube was epoxied in place.. it lines up at both ends

[tghs]

started drawing out the rib placement on plans,, lots of lines to get me confused and make mistakes.. added some colors to add some contrast and help keep me straight.. had to get a larger drafting triangle, this is going to be a big hull..

[cnr6400]