Building HMS Blandford (1719)

H.M.S. Blandford was a 20 gun ship, launched on 13th February 1719. Now for those who do not know, a quick definition of the word 'ship'. A ship is a three masted square rigged vessel. All other vessels are NOT ships. That may confuse some people and I do have to admit that the definition has changed over the years and centuries, but that was the definition during the great age of sail and a definition I still like, so will stick with.

Blandford was unusual in that she also had a row of oar ports along both sides, enabling her to be maneuvered in the calmest of weather.

I decided to build her as I think she was a beautiful ship and the Conway Maritime Press produced a book about her in their Anatomy of a Ship series. For this I have to thank the author, Peter Goodwin who produced a superb book from which this model has been built. I bought the book on the 17th September 1990 and began what turned out to be several years of research (or laziness), as the keel was not laid until 9th October 1994.

My construction method was not too complicated but I wanted to scratch build all of it, something which I had never done before and has been the cause of several lengthy delays over the years. Using the book, I copied the various drawings and lines and had them all re-scaled to 1.48th. The keel was made and frames made up from the drawings. These were attached to the keel, before the task of planking was done. The first layer of planks was done using 1mm thick lime strips. Once finished the whole thing was sanded and filled where necessary before the second layer of planking was applied. This was done using scale planks, again using lime strip. That will do for now. The photos, which I apologize for were taken before the great age of digital, so I have had to re do them, but they at least give you an idea of what went on. I must also apologize as my memory is not what it was and much of this work took place a long time ago.

Having planked the hull twice, I set too with the sand paper, a task which was much easier than trying to sand Neil's lifeboats, but never the less it took me some time till I got it right.

Way to go Barry love to see wood worked well and that certainly looks like its been given the care that it deserves mate. I for one will follow this ladies construction closely

After planking the next job was to install the sub deck. I wanted it to be strong to give some stability so I used 1/4 " ply for the job.

Into 1995 and it was time to cut out the gun ports and add the oar ports, which I had decided would all be closed, so having cut them out, I put the lids in.

The main deck was then planked using scale cut lime strip. It was caulked using black cord, normally used in rigging. The whole deck was then sanded smooth and given a couple of coats of mat varnish to seal it.

No wonder its taken so long to get this moved on that deck detail is just fantastic mate.

Rally nice Barry - you have made a great job of the planking - all the gaps look exactly the same size

which is the hard bit and the what often spoils a deck. :D:D



Geoff

Thank you guys. I will continue shortly....

Barry you're an artist great work.

Thanks guys. Onto the next bit. After fitting various exterior hull fittings like, channels and bill boards, stern cabin windows and steps, it was time to add some paint. White below waterline as this was the age before coppering of hulls. A powder blue and a red colour for some of the decoration.

The stern decoration caused me some problems as there is no specific description of how this would have looked on Blandford. I therefore decided on a simple and fairly common decoration, including a stern light that has a bulb in and works. Captains were responsible in a large part for the decoration of their ships and not all were wealthy so stern decoration would in many cases be kept simple as in this case. I cast the two figures in white metal and the gold filigreeing work was actually taken from a ladies hand fan.

This is simply fascinating Barry well worth following. the level of detail looks great.

Cheers Phil. I will keep going. Got lots of details to show yet...

Footski wrote:

Some more shots of the various bits and pieces....

This is the stern light, made up from balsa wood and some odd bits of brass.



One of the cast figures for the stern decoration. Not something I am very good at.



Some of the fittings. Cabin flooring, Channels, gun port lids, bulkheads and rudder. Also shown is the jig I use for cutting planks to the right length.



The inside of the stern cabin

Next time, I will show you how I made up the guns and carriages.

Once again some lovely detail there mate. BTW I've removed the duplicate post, not sure what you'd done as it looked like you'd posted a second time just "quoting" your initial post lol

phil winks wrote:

Once again some lovely detail there mate. BTW I've removed the duplicate post, not sure what you'd done as it looked like you'd posted a second time just "quoting" your initial post lol

Oops sorry Phil, I never noticed....

Barry - excellent. I have tried building this type of boat, from a kit, and gave up after one

Onto the guns. They were all turned using my Minicraft lathe attachment. The carriages were then made up as shown and the tompions were cut from dowel. They were rigged using block and tackle.

Interesting Barry - I have just listed my Minicraft Lathe attachment on eBay I really don't have a use for it.

Barrie

Oh I would be lost without mine....

Any way I forgot the swivel guns which were on the poop deck. Made in the same way as the main guns.....

As I've said before Barry absolutely tremendous mate.

Now to search Ebay for Barrie's minicraft lathe attachment

Phil,

If you are really interested its here http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290806388024?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Barrie

Thanks Barrie I have already found it mate and will think carefully about it over the next 5 days. it certainly looks a usefull tool I just need to see if I can justify spending any sort of proper price on it the current financial situation being what it is

Now Barry I formally hand the thread back to you mate

Excellent Barrie you are a true genius

Your doing a great job on her Barrie. Watching with interest.


Cheers

ken

Thanks Ken,

Okay more bits and pieces done....

A view along the main deck looking aft...


A shot of the ships wheel and main capstan, which was made up of 16 different pieces of walnut.


The completed belfry made of walnut....



....and the belfry in position on the foredeck.


All the guns made and put in position....

Looking great Barry, just love the variety of woods going into this , mind you looks like two of the ship yard workers are skiving on deck there mate you just might need a cat 'O' nine to liven the scurolous dogs up

They were so bad, I had them hung from the stern galleries!!

A really excellent job you are doing there Barry

Geoff