Masts - the most popular spars in the Dockyard

Since the spar team has set out to laminate a lightweight mast for the Monomoy, we've had a lot of activity and discussion regarding these most essential of spars. And hey, what's not to love about masts? They are the basic facilitators of the back, arm and upper body fatigue preventing devices known as "sailing rigs" - something all oarsmen should be grateful for. From the technologically evolved to the most simplistic, there are a myriad variety with different uses, applications and methods of construction.

The most basic mast in the inventory is a "stand by" mast for the Monomoy which is made from a solid piece of Northern White Cedar. 15' 6" long and weighing in at 69 lbs, it is a force to be reckoned with. Honestly, I hope it becomes something else because the behemoth seems way too massive. But the numbers check out, so for now it is in reserve. Production was exceedingly simple - the spar crew went out behind the lofting bay, into the woods, selected the live tree of the correct size, then proceeded to chop it down. Still green, the tree was then stripped of branches and bark, and otherwise cleaned up. And while there hasn't been much in the way of shaping done, I'd wager it wouldn't take long to fit to the step.

The most advanced mast in the inventory is the primary mast for the same boat. Also 15' 6" long, it weighs in at just 22 lbs. The number crunching reveals only a negligible decrease in strength over a solid spar. Of course, between procuring choice lumber - all select pine - cutting, milling and planing the staves, scarphing, and laminating the mast, there are probably more than 50 man hours invested so far. So not as quick, but worth it if you have the time.

On a side note, the mast for the 24-foot Launch will be much larger and stouter than the Monomoy's - so that's something to look forward to (yikes!).

Of interest to the carpenter's crew - the fitting of the halyard sheave in the top of the mast is coming along - expect that to start soon. Parts are already spinning and chopping in the back - yes I can hear you back there and I know what you're up to. That's what I do.

BT

Side note - whoever is leaving coffee cups on my bench should know that I keep spilling boat soup in them. So no, that's not the coffee made badly, that's pine tar. Just sayin.

Will

Just in Time for Lunch- Low-Cost Provisioning Options

One of the recent items of debate being discussed by the Board of Directors are ways to reduce the cost of provisions. Providing participants with meals at events is a tricky thing - people have food allergies, and there isn't always time to cook a great meal when you're running between activities. That's why I find more of our members at the funnel cake stands than I care to admit publicly. But food gets expensive, and considering how much gets thrown away, I think its safe to say the operation is not as efficient as it could be. And we all know efficiency saves time, money, effort, frustration, grumbling... well, you get the picture.

As a dutiful Dockyard Superintendent I feel I should propose some sort of solution to the problem. And I have just the proposal for every one's needs. The Armour Corporation has been making top quality canned and preserved foods since 18-eh hem yeah. Their Pork Brains in Milk Gravy would be a delicious solution. Just open the can, pour contents into heating container, hold over heat source and five to ten minutes later - voila! The 5.5 oz cans are easily meted out at one serving per person per can, which means several days rations can be carried in a single haversack. The empty cans can be used to make miniature tin candle lanterns, paint pots or boat soup buckets. The residual aroma will add an extra bit of charm to whatever is done with them. This delicious food is available from any number of low grade supermarkets for less than $0.20 a can.

So go out and buy some - give it a try. I really do think it will be a great addition to our future programming.

Note, the dockyard will not be providing sickness bags. All issue gear must be returned in a condition that is free of stains or odors. All hands aboard watercraft experiencing symptoms of sickness are directed to the lee rail and should not loiter in bilges. Notify your petty officer if you experience discomfort, swelling, cramps, bleeding or gas with oily discharge. The Naval Heritage Society is not responsible for spoiled under garments.

Enjoy your lunch!

Will

Racing Stripes

I've just recieved approval for my paint plan for the Monomoy. We're going to be dolling her right up for the 2010 season. All interior wood work is being sanded down and re-varnished, new paint inside all around AND the addition of da dada DA- racing stripes! The plain white hull is getting a fresh jolt with the addition of a navy blue gunwale stripe and golden yellow pinstriping. Back in my days on the Training Ship Empire State, we had a white hull with a blue "racing stripe" on the bow. Of course, later on they painted the whole hull blue. But I've always loved that racing stripe and wanted to paint one on this boat. The colors pay homage to the Navy, and to the Military Sealift Command, whose famous blue and gold stack stripes are their primary distinguishing insignia.

The interior of the boat is being painted per 1907 US Navy regulations, famous for use by the Great White Fleet. The interior bulwarks will be "spar" - a khaki color - while the deck will be "blue-gray". The propulsion oars will likewise be painted spar, while the steering oar will remain varnished. The gunwales and steering yoke will be finished with boat soup - a pine tar mixture - that blackens and preserves the wood. Odd side note - recently visited the "Real Pirates" exhibit at Nauticus and several of the artifacts recovered from the sunken pirate ship Whydah still reek of pine tar! Now THAT is preservation!

The working schedule for all of this - for those who missed it - will be as follows:

March 27-28 - Interior stripping and varnishing - MAX. PARTICIPATION REQUIRED
April 10-11 - Painting of the "Racing Stripe"

Hope to see you there!
Will

Pre-planned responses solve all of life's problems

Some interesting news from outside the dockyard. This week the Board of Directors is discussing the pre-planned responses for the Conquer the Chesapeake event in May. The event will be the Monomoy's big public debut and will certainly put her crew through their paces. The pre-planned responses, or PPRs, are designed to provide the Monomoy's crew, the chase boat and the US Coast Guard escort on the same page in the event of a problem - a good thing to have. They delineate responsibilities, actions to be taken, and outline a clear course of action that's already thought out to respond in a timely manner. Thank you Captain Obvious. Okay. But I have to say, some of the rejected PPRs are kind of funny. They have very descrpitive titles such as "Attack by Marine Wildlife Pending or In Progress" and "Loss of National Ensign, in Whole or In Part". I know we're being safe - but really? How many shark attacks have their been upon people in open boats - that didn't occur in a movie? Although I can definately see the need to turn around and scrap the event if we lose our Ensign. His Mom would be really upset. But I jest.

No, seriously - it is great to see so much planning and preparation going into this. I already have a laundry list of things to buy, build or repair for the trip, things such as the collapsible bailing buckets and spare anchor and rode. Fish for the mast, line for woldings, selvagee strops and spare blocks. All of it will give me just the slightest bit of comfort when I'm standing on the beach with the boat and her crew, preparing to get underway toward land we can't see yet. I think it will all make us feel a little better. And we're going to need those small elements of comfort - this is going to be one heck of a trip.

Will

Takin' care of business

This weekend was highly productive - the spar team managed to get the mast for the Monomoy laminated and turn all those toothpicks in the shop into a sloppy mess of epoxy and clamps. That'll be fun to see when it emerges after shaping. One thing is certain, that the clamped up spar weighs far less than the standby solid mast of the same size.

The carpenter's crew also managed to get the mast step and collar largely complete, solving a few major structural issues we had in getting the new mast into the boat. The step and collar were omitted in the 1988 rebuild of the boat, and improvements made during that time removed a few key components in the original construction that supported those elements. The replacements take into account the original design but also some design changes to adapt to the rebuilt structure.

The sail is nearly ready for roping and grommets, and is now about 75% complete. It should be ready for hoisting about the same time that the mast, yard and rigging are complete in the middle of March.

Future opportunities at the Dockyard:

Complete interior refinishing is scheduled for March 20-21.
Exterior painting, including the addition of a new blue and gold "racing stripe" is scheduled for April 10-11.

BT

A new plan of attack has been formulated for our CONQUER THE CHESAPEAKE event in May. Due to the high level of interest, we will be assembling two crews - one to take the boat on each leg of the round trip. The BLUE crew will take the boat North, from Cape Henry to Kiptopeke, while the GOLD crew will return from Kiptopeke to Cape Henry. The crew that is not in the boat will be present at departure and arrival, and handle logistics in between. Both crews are invited to take part in the overnight camp at Kiptopeke.

Training sessions have also been moved. We will now have two separate dates, that can each accommodate 10 prospective crew members. All prospective crew members must attend one of the training events, and the final crew rosters will be published soon after.

Training dates are as follows:
24 April 2010 - 0600-1500, Naval Station Norfolk, Norfolk VA
1 May 2010 - 0600-1500, Harbor Park, Norfolk VA

More information will be put out once applicants are registered for training.
So - lots going on. Keep checking in for further updates as we progress - and don't forget to register for CONQUER THE CHESAPEAKE before we fill up!
Will

Cutting edge technology symposium

I know I've already made the obligatory Friday post, including the introduction of FULLBORE FRIDAY, but this was too groundbreaking not to post.

Now that we're taking advantage of the wonders of modern technology such as hollow laminated masts I think its about time we reevaluated the NHS Dockyard Motor Pool. On base today at the NAVFAC Motor Pool I discovered what could become the most useful vehicle in our arsenal. And you would never guess to look at it.

With a 13,000 lb drawbar pull this impressive vehicle is capable of towing both the 26 foot Monomoy and 24 foot Launch simultaneously. Inside there is seating capacity for both crews (20 people), and a well stocked mini-bar for pre-launching liquid refreshment. Even without 4WD capacity, it can scale obstacles as high as 27 inches and wade through water as deep as 5 feet.

As of yet I am still unsure of the price tag for one of these little gems, but I've been told they are completely unobtainable. I think with enough time spent surfing the internet we could easily locate a disused vehicle on eBay Motors somewhere in Ghana or Cameroon. In fact, I'm almost sure I saw the same thing in the latter two years ago.

So members, take a round turn and let's make this the next addition to our glorious Dockyard!

Will

No birds were injured in the making of this mast

IT'S FRIDAY!!! And I'm getting pretty excited for the weekend - lots of work going on. For starters, we have the Monomoy mast being laminated. It's being made in a "bird's mouth" technique that produces a hollow mast weighing a fraction of what a solid spar does with only marginal strength loss. The mast is 16 feet long and is 5" in diameter at its widest point, tapering to 3.5" at the masthead and heel. The pieces are already made, for the most part, and the spar team will be making final touch ups and laminating tomorrow. In the paint shop for some varnish next week and hopefully we will have the finished reproduction mast ready to go.

Also this weekend we have the naval carriage for the 3-pdr being fleshed out a bit more. Depending on shipping and logistics, we may have the gun itself in time for GCH. Sorry, guys, she's not going even if we have her - doesn't fit in with the program.

The foot and leach of the sail are now complete, sans roping and grommets. Corner patches are installed at the tack and clew. Tonight I plan to cut the tabling for the tack and head, and get them started as well. The Manila line that was on the stretch in the rigging cage came out yesterday, and will serve quite nicely to rope the sail's edges. All in all I think a mid-march finish date is more than practicable.

So, in closing, I intend to start a tradition here on the NHS Dockyard Blog - in tribute to one of my favorite Navy bloggers, I'm going to call it FULLBORE FRIDAY - something like Jon Stewart's 'Moment of Zen' but a little faster paced. This week's subject is brought to you by those crazy Aussies at Ocean Thunder pro surf boat racing. Because nothing says cool like rowing through pounding surf and having your boat flipped and oars broken - while wearing speedoes. Rock on, Australia.

Will