Another 6 meter plus length of spotted gum is being prepared to continue planking the hull.
A length of reclaimed wharf timber is being assessed as to how it might be used – probably to repair or replace a deck beam under the fore deck. In the background is a large number of seasoned planks ready for the shipwrights.
The Samson post has been assessed and is thought to be sound except for the topmost section. This will need the obvious gap and any soft timber replaced with – you guessed it – hardwood timber graving piece/s. As the 3rd photo shows the Samson post extends below deck to the keelson for maximum strength.
The bow section of the garboard strake on the port side has been steamed, shaped and fastened to the hull. This plank needs more fastenings and painting as work continues to plank the ship.
Another section of the garboard plank has been positioned on the starboard side. This section finishes at frame 23 and has been wedged into position ready to be permanently fastened to the frames .
The new section has a butt joint with the other section and the cross section photo shows the taper on the edges to allow for caulking between the planks.
The bow section of decking has been raised and is being covered with plywood until any repairs commence. The king plank and Samson post remain in place until they are inspected and assessed. They may need repairing in the shed or in situ.
( King Plank – The primary main structural extra wide and often thicker deck plank laid
on the vessel’s centreline in a sprung or swept deck and into which the
ends of the decking planks are joggled. )
( Sampson Post – Any post well attached to the vessel’s structure to take heavy loads. On
cargo vessels they are often rigged with a derrick. Frequently used to
name a mooring bollard. )
The extent of the deck being raised and the subsequent laying of plywood is evident, all this enables the shipwrights to examine the top of the deck beams. The top is the most likely area of the beams to have soft timber as some of the deck fasteners were leaking water. Most, if not all, deck beams midships and aft have been repaired or replaced already.
The new strake has been fastened with a large temporary bolt near the bow and several permanent dumps and spikes. This strake starts at the bow and ends at frame 13 and is over 6 metres long. The holes with the dump and spike heads within will be plugged with hard wood dowel and glued to provide a water tight seal.
The first “below the water” plank has been fitted. This plank, sited next to the keel is the garboard plank and runs the length of the ship on starboard and port. This plank has been steamed and bent into shape then attached to the hull. Planking will proceed forward of frame 26 – approximately the forward half of the ship.
