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6. MODELLING THE "ROYAL ALBERT"

A Survey of the Work Involved in the Construction or a Characteristic Ship of the Line of the period 1700—Tools and Materials needed with some Notes on their Use.

The model bearing the title Royal Albert forms the chief  subject matter of the next few chapters, and is a fine example of what can be done by the novice.

One of the charms of old-time ship modelling is that it need not be done in a stuffy workshop, but can be carried on in any room, it does not make much "mess," no elaborate tools are required, and the work can be carried out by either sex; indeed for ladies it offers a fascinating and new hobby.

The Royal Albert was made throughout by two amateurs, much of it was done by the lady who appears in some of the photographs, and who took much trouble and care in the posing of action photographs to illustrate various stages and operations in the work.

The room in which the model was made is quite small, as can be judged by fig. 51 where the model and the bulk of the tools used in its construction arc visible. Consequently the novice need have no fear that an equally good model can be made; not only can it be done as well as the one illustrated, but by the aid of the numerous photographs, detail drawings and the folding plates presented with this book, it is possible to make a very much better model, complete with every small detail.

The model illustrated by the photographs is somewhat simplified, and a number of the ropes and other details have been omitted, but this simplification is no real detriment, the model itself looks well, is in good proportion and seale, and fairly complete in detail and equipment.

Fig. 51.  Model in Workshop.

Those who wish to reproduce every possible feature will find the requisite information in the detail drawings and in the text where various simplified portions are contrasted with the fullydetailed component.

Similarly, by using the general information on hull con­struction, masts, rigging and so forth, it should be readily possible for anyone who has successfully made the simple models described in earlier chapters to construct any other kind of old-time ship model. Some hints on finding the data about other types of old-world ships will be found in Chapter XVI., pages 200 to 202, to which reference should be made. One point that must be studied carefully is the contemporary practice on shipboard. It .is impossible to successfully apply all the details found in a ship of the period 1700 to a model representing a ship built, say, in 1650. For instance, it is incongruous to see the masts rigged in the fashion of, say, 1590 in a hull typical of the practice 50 years later. These points are, however, more likely to become apparent to the student and historian than to occasion great inconvenience to the ship modeller as the constructional methods in either case are very similar; it is more a matter of the arrangement of the rigging, proportions of sails, and the form of the hull than difference in methods of making similar parts.

Another factor to bear in mind when modelling a particular ship is that during her useful and active life she may have been considerably modified in rigging details.

Those who decide to make a model of any particular ship should therefore consider these matters carefully, and, having ascertained the requisite details, can with confidence adopt or adapt the constructional methods used in the building of Royal Albert.

The Royal Albert (fig. 52), is a type, rather than an exact replica, of a specific ship, but she represents with considerable fidelity a first rate or 100-gun ship such as were plentiful amongst the European maritime Powers about 1690-1710.

Much careful research was undertaken before preparing the full set of working drawings for this model. The author believes the details shown can all be justified by contemporary practice, but as the scope of this book is to give some instruc­tion on the construction of a model it would be out of place to deal in any lengthy or contentions manner with purely historical questions and disputes.

Fig. 52.  Finished Royal Albert.

Even amongst the elect of the students of old-time ships there exists considerable divergence of opinion as to the dates when this or that detail was first introduced or was last recorded. Almost every day some fresh discovery is made which adds to the store of knowledge on the subject; moreover, it has to be remembered that a ship had a perilous career in those days, and many of them were altered from time to time in their structural features and in the details of their rigging.

Not only so, but in its lifetime a particular ship of one nationality might be captured by another, be partly re-rigged, and be subsequently captured by some other Power, and by them again be modified. Hence there was the possibility of a ship being in commission which might exhibit detail features peculiar to various nationalities.

When preparing the designs for the Royal Albert all these and many other points and all available information was considered, with a view to constructing a model to an approximate scale of ⅛ in. equals 1 foot which would fairly represent a type of warship of the period 1690-1705. Those who wish to make an exact scale model of any specific ship can readily adapt the information and make such changes in detail as may be necessary to encompass their desires.

The peculiar nature of the work and the large amount of detail that can be embodied in an old-time ship model renders the task of making a perfect specimen almost the work of a lifetime. On the other hand, by a simplification of detail, allied with direct and simple methods of construction, it becomes possible for the amateur, working under normal conditions, to construct a very beautiful model, which to all intents and purposes can be taken as being a scale model. Technically, such a model would be classified as a "representa­tive scale model," because all the essential features are reproduced in such a way as to make the model look like the original.    Such a model conveys quite as good an impression of the original as a very exact scale model; it can—and should —possess that character, atmosphere or quality which make an instant appeal to the eyes and the senses, a quality that makes one feel it is a fine old ship, not merely a piece of clever craftsmanship.

Imbued with a spirit of determination to produce a worth while model, something that will be a treasure for the future, a delight to the eye, an ornament to the home, there need be no lingering fears of failure.

The time required for the construction obviously cannot be definitely stated, everything depends on the individual, but in general it may be taken that a very nice model can be made during six months of spare time.

The most orderly way of making the model is to build the hull, make the masts and spars, make the stern gallery, deck fittings and other details; assemble them as far as practicable, then do the rigging work and complete the model.

The materials and tools involved are as already stated few and inexpensive, materials need not cost more than a few shillings, while the cost of a kit of tools would not add more than £1 or so to the outlay. Actually the bulk of the requisites are to be found in the normal home; for a work bench any strong steady table such as a kitchen table about 3 ft. 6 ins. long and 2 ft. wide will answer well.

A small bench vice, with a clamp or two for fixing it to the table, a fretsaw and sawing table, small plane, small tenon saw, a few handled "firmer" chisels, including one 3/16 in. wide, one 3/8 ins. wide and one about f ins. wide, a carpenter's gouge, a pair of cutting nippers, a pair of long nosed small pliers, a large and a small pair of scissors, a small spokeshave, a large square bradawl, a ruler or straight-edge, a set square, dividers or compasses, one or two sharp-bladed penknives, a cabinet rasp, a few small files, including a 6-in. "warding" file, 6-in. square file and a 4-in. and a 6-in. round file, practically comprise the list.

To this will be required a bow-saw for cutting the planks for a laminated hull, a small packet of sandpaper of assorted grades, and some brushes, paints, adhesives and the like.

In addition, a large box of assorted pins, a few odds and ends of wood and card, a tube of Seccotine, a very fine chain from a toy watch or cheap jewellery, some tiny beads, panel pins 1 inch long, and a few small screws and nails.

Last to be mentioned but first in importance are the working drawings, which will be found inserted in a folder at the back of this book, and in the form of folding plates.

Each plate has been prepared to show a particular section of the work, and collectively they give all necessary information when supplemented by the diagrams in the text.

The materials employed in the construction of Royal Albert include the following, but others might be substituted:

Blocks.—Specially made, but commercial articles can be substituted.

Deck Erections.—Mahogany ⅛ in. thick.

Decks.—Bristol board (3 ply); white sycamore ⅛ in. thick.

Hull.—Yellow pine—5 pieces 25 in. long, ½ in. thick, 7 in. wide; 1 piece 25 in. long, ½ in. thick, 4 in wide; 2 pieces l 5/16  in. thick, 7 in. wide, 25 in. long.

Handrails.—"Stripwood" ⅛ in. by ¼ in.; thick Bristol board.

Masts and Spars.—Straight grained yellow pine.

Paints.—"Poster" colours.

Rigging.—Cotton, crotchet silk, plaited fishing line.

Varnish.—"Milburn's" spirit varnish.

Timber.—Is best obtained from the timber yard, and a courteous inquiry, coupled with a gratuity to the yardman, will almost always ensure getting well chosen and dry material free from knots and splits.

Fishing Line.—Can be had from any sports outfitters.

Bristol Boards.—Are obtainable from stationers and dealers in artist's materials.

Metal.—Usually the ironmonger or wireless dealer can supply, otherwise send to any reputable dealer in model maker's supplies, mentioning this book and the purposes of the material.

Blocks and Fittings.—Ready made can be had specially to suit this boat, from any of Messrs. Bassett-Lowke's shops in London, Northampton, Manchester and Edinburgh.

Paints.—From any good oil and colour merchants or dealers in artist's materials.

Cotton, Silk and Thread.—From any drapery establishment.

Fretwood.—Messrs. Hobbies Ltd., agents.

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