Refusing to be afraid or reliquish responsibility

Last night we had the Dockyard crew out until about 2200 - working in the framing bay, chasing the Dockyard dog when he got out, eating pizza. And I think a good time was had by all, we certainly got a lot of work done. But it was last night, as everyone is standing around during the break having pizza and a cold beer (everyone was of age), when I realized how to vocalize one of the key components of NHS.

The Navy - and the military in general - has its fair share (maybe more so) of alcohol related incidents. Regulation, oversight and procedure steps in more and more, and soon we're trying to micromanage simple things like having a beer after a tough job. Not a kegger, not getting plastered - a beer. I had two, I wasn't driving. But the point is that I think there's a good deal of fear out there on the part of seniors to open that door - after all, with a high number of incidents, there is a good chance it'll come back to bite you, and you'll be spending time in court with your sailor.

But at NHS, we've put another principle to work - trust and teamwork. We've been very lucky so far about the quality of sailors and civilians that come out to support us. But between the retirees, career sailors, younger sailors, and everyday average Joes, there has melded a sort of collective that - I would bet - hails from our past. If you're old enough to drink, feel free. Judge the timing, make good decisions, and enjoy it. Contrary to popular belief, it is not a sport, don't rush. And if you slip up and make a bad decision, your shipmates are there to keep you in line.

Perfect example - last night. Pizza arrived, and everyone had soft drinks of some kind. The beer fridge opened, and one of our First Class Petty Officers said to the opener "stop, wait." Then looked to me "Sir, are we going to be doing much cutting or using power tools after the break?" My answer, negative. "We still have a couple of hours of sanding and touch up left, right?" My answer, affirmative. He turned back to the guy opening the door. "Grab me one, and go get that book you wanted me to look at." I watched as while we enjoyed the pizza, and some enjoyed a cold beer, everyone enjoyed some laughs and conversation.

Simple? Yes.

My point is this - if we write out alcohol from events entirely, then we are missing a golden opportunity to teach responsible alcohol consumption by example. Supervised, yes, to some degree, but I'm finding out that trust is a powerful motivator. And when someone feels that they represent something greater than themselves, that they are following in the footsteps of people they respect (in the last example, the FCPO) they are less likely to do stupid things.

It could be that we have a $hi+ hot team. The quality of our volunteers really does make a tremendous difference.

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Reading makes you crazy

Quick plug - tonight at 1900 (7 pm), we're knocking out goodies for the Hornet model and digging in to the work on Monomoy No. 1. Come one, come all - free beverages, if you like the kind I've put in the shop fridge that is.

BT

Some of you may have noticed the book stream on the right of my page. That's right - I'm shamelessly selling out for some ungodly small percentage of whatever you buy on Amazon. Actually, I just like having the scrolling images of book covers there and didn't want to bother our overworked multi-media person.

I've been really digesting one book in particular lately - Seamanship in the Age of Sail. If you've not seen it and you have any serious interest in nautical history whatsoever, you'll want to have a look. It is - for all intents and purposes - one of the best reference books on square rigged sailing ever written. Combing period texts in many languages, the author was able to assemble a fairly comprehensive analysis on everything from sailing theory to division of shipboard labor and dealing with casualties. Illustrated with hundreds - yes hundreds - of top quality sketches, paintings and photos, I've been finding it indespensible for work on our Hornet model.

I should note that after sailing on half a dozen tall ships, every single one had this book onboard. It's not something I recommend reading cover to cover, but digesting slowly, over time, and as needed - as any good reference book.

Check it out of your local library if you can - its out of print and can get damned expensive.

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When you can't fall back on Christmas

Last night I cleared away the Framing Bay and moved the Hornet model into position in preparation for Wednesday's working session. I then layed out the rough shaped spars and spar blanks that have been made so far, and sharpened my planes, drawknifes and spokeshaves. I'm working on a better way to cut the four-sided blanks down to eight sides and realizing that I need better tools. I mean don't get me wrong, our tiny little band saw is great and all, but I need something with a bit more heft to it. Likewise the table saw - that thing makes me nervous sometimes. Christmas is a long way off, so going on a buying spree just isn't going to happen, especially with the caliber I need.

In times like this I go to my couch, pull off all the cushions, and gather all the spare change I can find. If it shakes out to be $1.50 or better (more than likely), it means I can go to the Navy Woodshop at Naval Station Norfolk! For 150 cents of your lost pocket change, they'll let you use all the great tools that I'll bet came off an old tender somewhere - they're just too massive and nice, in a 1950s sort of way. They run like champs, cut like butta and have all the bells, whistles and jigs you could hope for. Plus, the helpful staff there knows so much more about woodworking than I do - even if they don't have a clue what we're making!

So, anticipate a few trips there to knock out the spars and associated gear: masts, caps, tops, crosstrees, yards, poles, gaffs and booms (its not as bad as it sounds - famous last words) for the model. We'll also get a jump on blocks and deadeyes while we're there... and if you thought spars were fun, wait for the sober tedium of making these bad boys! Should be fun... maybe.

BT

Working sessions are Wednesday and Friday nights at 7 PM - come on out and lend a hand on the model as well as our real boats. Monomoy No. 1 is undergoing a routine cleaning, scraping and painting and installation of a new leeboard in preparation for Conquer the Chesapeake 2011.

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That's what she said...

So it's day three of the great Motor Whaleboat chase. She's still in Guam, though moved from the open lot to a warehouse. The dumpster waiting to take her away in pieces remains only a few yards away. No new developments despite plenty of hard work.

BT

Work continues on the 25-foot Launch. This week we've started laminating frames, soaking them and bending them over the forms, a few good whacks with a rubber mallet (nicknamed "the Commander") to drive it into place tight against the keel, then clamping it down along the whole length. There are a lot of random shouts of "yeah, baby" in the evolution.

The whole process has been designed to mimick the sawn frames of the original boats, with a significant weight savings (the Launch will be trailered, after all) and increased strength where possible. The futtocks are being laminated from fir strips, slathered in epoxy and laid up on the molds. There is no spring back because of the large number of lifts in each frame, but there is a lot of thickened epoxy to wipe up afterward.

BT

No weekly meeting tonight as the shop is rigged for frame installation. After all this time, its finally earning its nickname "Framing Bay". Next week we will get back to the regular weekly meetings and activities.

BT

There is a new Event Schedule posted on Facebook. The website will be updated soon (I'm told). For August, the sailors and marines are split, with our end of summer party in September out at Hyco Lake. All of these events are trying to shoot for one day participation - we'll save those where we ask for your whole weekend for the BIG events. Point is, your voices have been heard so keep speaking up!

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If it seems like too much, make a list...

... how do you think Santa Claus delivers all those presents to those kids? I just need to start thinking Christmas in July I suppose.

Last night was a great working meeting, and we did end up getting the boat out on the water. The Lafayette River is a great venue to work on a wide variety of tasks, or just go sailing. We did a little of both last night, ending up back at the Dockyard around 2130.

BT

On shuffling trailers at the Dockyard last night, we managed to do damage to the only trailer present that has a job to do the day after tommorrow. Now, amongst all the other preparations, I'm breaking out the sledge hammer, blow torch and a whole new wiring harness (might as well, while we're at it). Oh, and we have to troubleshoot the towing vehicle tail lights.

BT

It was decided last night that if at all possible we should sail from Naval Station Norfolk into Hampton. Crew numbers are the only consideration for this, but I do think it would be a great start to the festival (even though we wouldn't be going directly there - we have to stop and embark marines).

BT

Last night we discussed another secret weapon - this one is a new and untapped source of additional manpower for the Pirate Abuse Festival. Stand by, we're not even sure they're available.

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We are off and running with a router!

Despite the festivities this weekend we managed to get some work done around the Dockyard. That said, I hope everyone had a safe and pleasant holiday weekend.

First, I did some more work toward the Dockyard makeover. The Framing Bay now has a fresh coat of paint, new sash boards, and drip edges. Also fixed that broken window pane.

BT

Second, the 25-foot Launch is officially on the fast track. After six weeks of fairing, trimming, measuring and re-measuring, we have started full throttle into the laminations. Her inner keel is clamped up right now, and framing stock has been ripped. We are well on track to meet our next major milestone, completion of the inner keel laminations by this Friday.

The next major milestone is lamination and bevelling of all 32 inner frames by September 1. I'm sending out the requisition for a trailer to be delivered and ready in all respects by November 15. Now all we need is a little hustle, and we'll be there in no time!

BT

The Pirate Abuse Festival is this coming weekend! We have training sessions at the Dockyard tonight and tomorrow. If we have enough participation tomorrow we WILL launch the boat, so come on out!

We definately have some fun times ahead!

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A visit to Erie, hanging out with the big guns

Apologies for the hiatus but I've been travelling again. This Monday I stopped in Erie, PA for a few hours and visited friends and respected colleagues at the Erie Maritime Museum and Brig Niagara. I spent two hours with Niagara's Senior Captain, Walter Rybka, possibly one of the best and most experienced square rigged captains in the world (no exaggeration) catching up since my last visit in September and discussing NHS Dockyard activities. Niagara's Chief Mate Billy Sabatini also stopped in, and we discussed NHS sailors crewing the ship en masse this fall (!).

Capt Rybka has been working on many things we can relate to, including a dipping lug rig on Cutter 2 - nearly the same as ours right down to the leeboard. He was gracious enough to provide me with a draft of an illustrated manual he's been working on for sailing dipping lug boats, which I'll send to the web guys for posting as soon as possible.

Thanks gents, I can't wait to get up there again this fall!

BT

Yesterday in the heat, we managed to get some work done on the 25 foot launch. We cut all the templates for the new mold patterns and cut and stood up Molds 1 and 2. Tonight, we'll cut and stand up molds 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Later in the week, we'll loft and cut the transom pattern, followed by the transom itself, and hopefully by next week we'll have mounted both the transom and the inner stem, and can proceed straight into setting up the inner keel. Once the inner keel is set up, our progression looks like this:

1. laminate 26 of 32 permanent frames in place on molds 1-13.
2. laminate 6 temporary frames in place on molds 14-16.
3. bevel all frames to match planking.
4. bevel inner keel to mold lines.
5. rip and plane inner planking stock.
6. lay up inner planking.
7. rip and plane outer planking stock.
8. lay up outer planking.
9. build up outer stem, keel and skeg.
10. FLIP AND CRADLE.

Needless to say, we have a lot of work to do this summer. As I see it, we need to hustle, as we're already behind the power curve.

BT

Preparations for the Blackbeard Pirate Festival in July continue. Tuesday we recieved 5 sea service muskets, 2 boarding pikes and 50 rounds of training ammunition. There is still lots of activity splicing and setting up lines (don't ask what for!) and gathering more anchors and grappling hooks. So good progress is being made, and we'll be ready on time for that.

More to follow soon.

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Just one more thing I love about CONSTITUTION

This photo was posted on Facebook by someone who recently visited Old Ironsides. Of course, my first thought is to the unknown (to me) incident prompted that sign - and a wish that I could have been there because I'm sure it was highly entertaining, in a funny and/or scarry sort of way.

BT

Yesterday's meeting forged ahead in several key areas. After a discussion of the plans for the 25-foot Launch and a brief tutorial about boat design, drafting and lofting, we turned to a clinic on marlinspike seamanship, then to planning and preparation for the Blackbeard Pirate Festival. Thanks to those who came out, and for those who didn't - you're missing the boat shipmates!

BT

The Dockyard is closed this weekend for tree clearing and termite prevention work. See you all next Tuesday!

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Dockyard getting extreme makeover

Well, maybe that's a little overstated. But now that the temporary addition to the Framing Bay is complete, we've begun a week of rennovations of the rest of the facilities before embarking on the great construction journey that is the 25-foot Launch. The Framing Bay was entirely gutted yesterday and all tools and materials dragged out into the yard, where they were cleaned and organized. While that was going on the entire Framing Bay was swept and blown down. And now, while I still wouldn't exactly eat off the deck, I am much happier about the work to begin on the Launch next week.

Still on the schedule for this week's rennovations, removing the remaining fence posts in the back forty to clear the "Flipping Path" - the track where the Launch will eventually be wheeled out, upside down, flipped onto skids and chocks then pushed back into the Framing Bay. The Lofting Bay is also set for clearing out and refinishing - we actually have some more lofting to do in there so we'll need to clear out the sailmaking gear for a while.

BT

Wednesday meeting tonight at 1900, free snacks and beverages courtesy of the SS (support section). We'll be covering elements of marlinspike seamanship as well as rigging the grappling hooks and spare anchors in preparation for the Pirate Festival.

Next week we start instruction with the flintlocks (!!!) and we'll have some practice line-throwing.

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