Something else to get excited about

I've been quite verbose about our preparations to cross the Chesapeake in the Monomoy Pulling Boat, but I haven't said much about the other projects underway at the dock yard. Soon after the Monomoy is finished and re-launched, our first gun is set to roll out of the shop.

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Our first piece is a 3-pdr Naval Gun, the sort used throughout the 18th century but most notably in the Revolutionary War. It was just about the smallest gun mounted on its own wheeled carriage, but don't let that fool you. The barrel weighs 250 lbs and is capable of lobbing a three pound ball (hence the nomenclature) more than half a mile! It is made of iron cast around a seamless steel tube (for safety) and is manufactured by Lion's Den Arms of Ontario, Canada. Her naval carriage weighs approximately 100 lbs and is being made from white oak. For more information check out the Naval Gunnery Links on the resources for sailors page of the NHS website.

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When completed, the gun can be situated on skids in the bow of a boat, or used ashore for saluting and drills. We plan to make her a regular sight at our live fire events, and when the marines bring out their small arms, the sailors will bring out the gun. I'd be amazed if there was much of the target left when the sailors were done with it. And I'm sure sailors will really enjoy showing off their "big gun" to all the ladies on the waterfront wherever we go.

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In other news, the sail for the Monomoy is wrapping up - grommets and cringles are now being installed, and she should be finished and flying within the next two weeks. There is a rough spar blank in the framing bay that I assume is going to become the yard for her before very long.

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The carpenters are mulling over an assortment of oars recently received, working out a process to standardize them for use in several different boats, as required. They're also stripping down the Monomoy oars in preparation for painting and re-leathering. Note for you guys - the new leather is here, check out the round package on my bench.

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So if you've only been following via blog, you're missing out on lots of other activity at the dockyard. With the constant work progressing on a daily basis (literally!) its difficult to keep track of it all here. So get in touch and come on out - see for yourself the gems our members are working on. And of course keep checking here for the latest and most significant developments as they progress.

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Will