Further planing of the bow frames continues to ensure that the shape of the planking is correct.
After the shipwrights have removed frames, volunteers remove any exposed metal objects ( bolts, dumps, nails etc.) and fill any holes with dowel and glue and finally paint the timber. This means that the section of hull is ready for the new or repaired frame to be attached.
As frames are removed the keel bolts are exposed. As previously shown these bolts will have frames covering them and they need to be protected from corrosion. Volunteers clean the bolts then prime and paint them.
As the old frames are assessed for replacement or repair the demand for new frames or frame sections to be made is increasing. The result is that the shipwrights now have 6 frames on the barge ready for fixing to the hull and another 4 in different stages of production in the shed. When the hull has been cleared of bolts and dumps, all holes glued and dowelled and timber painted the frames can be attached.
Two new deck beams have been made and are ready to be fixed to the beam shelves at the bow of the ship. The top photo shows 3 pieces of unpainted timber – the left and right pieces are to be scarfed together and fitted forward of the scaffolding shown in the lower photo. The centre unpainted timber piece is to be fitted further forward near the breasthook.
The stem has been sealed with an epoxy resin and then painted with an aluminium – based paint from Hempel. Sections where graving pieces are to be inserted have been left unpainted. Further painting will occur after all repairs have been completed.
Photo above was taken on Saturday 25th August showing an old frame where the supporting timber blocks were situated, with the remnants of 3 planks attached. By the next Wednesday the frame has been removed to be repaired or replaced.
This series of seven photos shows the process of making a frame ready to fit to the hull. Laminates of hardwood ( similar to fence palings in profile ) are stacked and sealed in a vinyl wrap, steam is pressured into the vinyl bag and the stack is bent into a pre-determined shape. The blue steel jig holds the stack in shape as the wood cools after the steam is shut off. The shaped timber is glued and screwed together until the glue has set. This gives the shipwrights a shaped frame to fix to the hull. Final shaping can then occur.
Some more ex-wharf timber has been obtained and is being assessed for where best to use it on the Alma Doepel. Photo below shows some already scarfed into sections of the foreward deck beams. Some sections of the beams needed replacing or repairing.
