More Bows are Up

Amazing progress continues on the boat shed behind the Freight Shed.  Will, Rob and the many wonderful volunteers continue getting the bows put together and up.  Five bows are up and the remaining 17 are ready to go up as the weather clears, probably this weekend.  The lofting has begun on the front of the boat.  The shipwrights will then be able to make the front frames for VIRGINIA. 
Rob is working on the stem and Will is crafting the transom. 

We are looking forward to Bath’s Autumn Fest on October 8th where we will be celebrating another fabulous year.

First Bents Up

It was a big day at the Freight Shed today.  The first two bents went up onto the knee-walls of the boat shed.  With the help of many adult volunteers and Peter (student shipwright), Shipwright, Will West lifted each of the two bents, made up of two bows each and they were screwed to the knee-walls.

The Last Student Day

A knee-wall and a shovel

Part of the ditch

It was the last student day and everybody was very busy. Some of the students were working on digging ditches for the boat shed's knee-walls. The ditches are for the knee-walls, so they can be connected and not bow. Speaking of bow, a few students were trimming the ends of the bows so they will fit on a board on the bottom because some of them were too big. We had a pizza party today to celebrate everyone's hard work and accomplishments.

Courtney working on Maine Memory Network

The media group went to Bath City Hall and worked on the Maine Memory Network online exhibit.

Meggan with her new frame

The first of the patterns for the frames of the shallop was sold today to Meggan Henerlau. There are still patterns for sale for a $25 donation. 

Blog post by Bianca and Courtney

Blog update

Transom for VIRGINIA

Blog readers,
Sorry for the lack of blog posts lately.  Patti has been on vacation, many students began fall sports training which takes up part of the morning and we are trying to complete some demanding goals in the shop.  Unfortunately, the progress in the shop has not been posted for a while, but I will try to catch you up to date.

Floor of Two Frames

We have four beautiful mid-ship frames all completed and ready to put on the keel.  Will has been

Bows Piled Ready to Construct Shed

busily working on the transom, which is starting to look like a wooden puzzle on steroids.  It has many bevels and mortise and tendon joints that are beautifully crafted.

Knee-wall

The knee-wall boards have been cut for the boat shed and the students are nailing them together.  These sections will hold up the bows that we have been making for weeks.  We now have all 44 completed.

Courtney and Patti went crazy and got almost all of the twelve descriptions of the Popham artifacts written, which we will be putting on the Maine Memory Network.  Courtney also presented some videos that have been made at the annual meeting on Saturday at the Freight Shed, which will be on upcoming posts.
Thanks for your patience,
Patti

Keel, Documenting and More Bows

Students and the Keel

Planing the Keel

Will and Jay Planing the Keel

Class time is first.  In class time we all sat down and talked about what we would do today.  The girls told us about their trip to the Maine State Museum to look at the artifacts from the Popham Colony.  Mrs. Chapin told us about a map and some first day issue stamps that had been given to Maine’s First Ship.  Then we went to work.

Kelsey Preparing a Bow

Will and 3 students were making the keel the right dimensions. They used skill saws and chisels. They have to wear safety glasses and ear muff protection for their ears.  Jay and 4 kids were still working on bows for the shelter for Virginia.


We need 44 bows in all.  Another group was working with Mr. Varney on making the grid for the

Courtney Documenting Repairs to Shed

lofting.  Two students were finishing up their slideshows.  Sometimes Chewbacca, our shop dog, got bored and wanted to play.


Adrian, Student Shipbuilder

Miracle Documenting the Bows

Bows, Bents, and Video

Today at the shop, the majority worked on creating the shed, in which the Virginia will be constructed.  They made bows, which are within the frames of most buildings.  Two bows will make a bent, and many bents make up the shed’s frame.  Three bows were made today, meaning we have a total of two bents.  Two other students worked on taping together bundles, which makes the wood organized better.  Lastly, the group in which I participated screwed together sawhorses to make a table, so we don’t need to use the tables with a year, or more, of water damage.

Watch Miracle's slideshow on the Making of Bows.

The piece of history I will share is part fact and part theory.  The fact is that the map of Ft. St. George was found in the archives of the Spanish, while the theory is that the Spanish Empire had a spy within the colony, who then brought back a map of the colony.  This is most likely so that they could decide whether or not to invade the colony and take their resources.
Blog Post by Wesley Blum