A Practical Course in Wooden Boat and Ship Building
Foundational Design and Layout
The Mould Loft:
The "sheer drawing" is the primary plan, consisting of the Sheer Plan (side view), Half-Breadth Plan (top view), and Body Plan (end view).
Table of Offsets
: These distances from a center line, compiled by naval architects, are used to lay down full-size lines on the mould loft floor to ensure extreme accuracy during assembly.
Models:
Designers often use scale models made of alternate layers of pine and cedar to fair up lines and extract accurate offset tables.
Primary Structural Components
Stem and Stern:
The stem is composed of the stem, lower stem, apron, and deadwood. The stern includes the stern post, post knee, shaft log, deadwood, horn timber, and transom.
Keel:
Described as the "backbone" of the vessel, it forms the lower longitudinal boundary and is joined to the stem and stern by bolted scarfs.
Futtocks and Frames:
Futtocks are the "ribs" of the vessel. Two united futtocks form a frame, which must be beveled to ensure the planking fits tightly.
*Keelson:
This "internal keel" lies above the floors and unites the keel, deadwood, and floors into a compact system.
Construction Processes
Steam Bending:
Timbers and planking are placed in a steam box to make them flexible for bending around forms. Greener, unseasoned lumber is preferred for this process.
Planking (The "Skin")
: Strakes are installed in specific categories, including the binding, garboard (nearest the keel), and sheer strakes.
Scaling and Spiling
: "Scaling" determines the proper diminish of a plank at the ends, while "spiling" is the technique used to determine the edge-curve of a plank so it fits without edgewise springing.
Calking
Seams are filled with cotton or oakum using specialized irons and mallets to ensure the hull is watertight, then finished with paint and putty.
Industrial Ship Construction
Standard Steamships:
The text details the construction of large cargo carriers for the U.S. Shipping Board, which utilize heavy timbers like 16" yellow pine for the stem.
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| An illustration from the book |
Throughout the book, Van Gaasbeek provides detailed instructions on how to construct a wooden boat or ship from start to finish. He covers everything from selecting the right type of wood and preparing the materials, to shaping the hull, installing the deck, and finishing the vessel. Each step is accompanied by clear illustrations and diagrams to help the reader understand the process.
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