Modelling

A number of years ago I used to enjoy building model ships.  However, as the travel schedule increased, I had not done that for quite some time.

With this wonderful stay-at-home time, Trish and I have both been able to undertake projects we could not have otherwise had time to do.  And, we have even had CHOICES about how to spend some of our time.

So...I put my model shipyard back together and started on the first wooden model for quite some time.

The keel is laid and the rubs and internal structural work is done.

This first new model is of the H.M.S. Bounty’s Jolly Boat.  In fact, the boat was misidentified as the Jolly Boat for quite some time as the ship’s log listed the Jolly Boat as the craft into which Captain Bligh and the loyal crew members were set adrift by Fletcher Christian and the mutineers.  It was later discovered that the first-loaded Jolly Boat had severe leaks and the loyalists were reloaded into the Bounty’s launch and the log was not corrected. This is that second boat.

One strake  at a time with soaking and  tiny nails, all the planking is finished.

The launch was 23 feet long and normally used for short ship-to-shore trips.  Into it were loaded Captain Bligh and eighteen of his followers.  There was added 150 pounds of hardtack, 25 gallons of water, 30 pounds of pork, six quarts of rum, and three bottles of wine. When all was loaded, there was only seven inches of clearance before water would have flooded the boat.

The finished model...about  12 inches long.

The remarkable thing is that the boat and its passengers survived a 3,700 mile voyage to reach Timor Island.  Bligh was later returned to service.

In spite of his mutiny history, William Bligh was apparently a remarkable sailor to have captained this tiny boat and its 19 passengers to safety when it seemed they had been given a death sentence.