The USS Confederacy

USS Confederacy was a 36-gun sailing frigate of the Continental Navy in the American Revolutionary War.  She was launched November 8, 1778 at Chatham or Norwich, Connecticut. From May to August of 1779 she cruised on the Atlantic coast under the command of Captain Seth Harding.  While convoying a fleet of merchantmen, on June 6, she and "Deane" captured three prizes, drove off two British frigates and brought the convoy safely into Philadelphia.
On 17 September 1779 Confederacy was ordered to carry the French Minister and his family back to France.  Later, John Jay, the first American Minister to Spain, his secretary, and family were added to the passenger list.

During the passage on November 7, 1779 Confederacy was completely demasted and almost lost, but managed through the skillful seamanship of Captain Harding to reach Martinique early in December. After repairs, she returned to convoy duty.

While homeward bound in 1781 with military stores and other supplies, Confederacy was forced to strike her flag to the British ships HMS Roebuck and Orpheus.  She was subsequently taken into the British service and renamed the HMS Confederate.

Type:	Frigate
Displacement:	959 tons
Length:	153 ft
Beam:	35 ft 6 in
Complement:	260 officers and men
Armament:	• 28 × 12-pounder guns • 8 × 6-pounder guns

Fully Rigged Yards

The yards are now fully rigged. Getting very close to completing this model of the most beautiful ship of her time.

Ready for Her Yards (Spars)

All of the upper and lower shrouds have been fitted. 

In fact, all of her "standing rigging" is now completed.  It's time to begin hanging her yards and complete the "running rigging".

This is where things will begin to get extremely interesting.

High View of Standing Rigging

Fore Mast - About the Masts

Confederacy is a three masted frigate.  The forward mast, seen here, is called the "fore mast".  The tallest mast is the "main mast" seen next mid way her deck.  Then there's the "mizzen mast", which is the smallest of the three masts.

The long mast extending from a ships bow is called the "bowsprit".

Each of the masts are made up of sections.  The platforms seen at the first section of each is called the "tops".  These very important work areas for crewmen serve many purposes high above the decks.

Each of the masts will support the yards (spars) which carry the ship's sails.

Main Mast

The Main Mast installed and rigged.

Mizzen Mast - Gaff and Boom Fitted

Gaff and Boom spars mounted onto the mizzen mast and rigged.

Bowsprit Rigging

The rigging of the bowsprit is extremely complex.  Many different sizes and shapes of block and tackle are used along with various sizes of rope and cable.

This is just the beginning!

Wooden Boat Show

Although far from being finished, I was invited to show the Confederacy at the North Carolina Maritime Model Society's annual wooden boat show.

There was about a hundred (guessing) very nice models displayed.... every shape and size.  It appeared that they were mostly built from kits.

Met some super nice people from all parts of North Carolina.

Best in Show

So guess which, of all the wooden boats in the show, was voted "Best in Show"????

How about that sports fans.... :=)

Ready for Her Masts

The "channels" are the long platforms mounted to the side of the hull just above the gun ports.

The purpose of these channels is to mount the "dead eyes" to which the shrouds are attached.

She is now ready for her masts.

Starboard View of Channels

View of Waist Area

A different view of the open area amid-ship called the "waist area".

Upper Decks Completed

All of the upper decks are completed with all rails installed.

Note the ship's bell on the forecastle.

Poop Deck Completed

As seen here, I am leaving about a third of the upper decks (quarter deck and forecastle), on the starboard side, open in order to provide viewing of the details of the areas below.

Ship's Steering Wheels

The steering wheels are mounted.  The two red cabinets on each side of the steering wheels are the binnacles.... used to shelter the ship's compass (usually two).

The black tube just to the right of the wheels is a "speaking tube" used by the helmsman to communicate with the Captain, or other officers, below deck.

Upper Deck Beams Fitted

With all of the lower gun deck completed, the beams have now been fitted for construction of the forecastle and quarter deck.

I have decided to leave most of the starboard side of her upper decks open for the purpose of viewing the detail in the lower areas.

Beak Structure

The stem / beak rails were very tricky to fit due to their shape.  Note the carvings.

And there's "Bluto" lookin' all bad....

Cannon / Truck Assemblies

Confederacy was armed with 28 of these 12 pounders (cannon ball weight).
There were also 6 smaller 6 pounders mounted on her quarter deck and two of these smaller guns mounted on her forecastle.

Each cannon was created in a plastic resin from a single rubberized mold.  I created the mold from a single "master" cannon which was turned on my mini wood lathe.

There are more than 30 separate parts to each of the cannon / truck assemblies seen here.

Bricking for the Stove

The bricked area seen here is where the ship's stove will be located.

Each of the bricks were cut and placed separately.

The Ship's Stove

As with everything else on this ship, this tiny stove was created from scratch.  

It's a shame it will be covered and can hardly be seen below the forecastle deck.

Interior Bulwarks

There are two interior chambers, or "quarters" separated with paneled walls (bulwarks) and paneled doors.

The overhead beams are installed which will support the quarter deck above.

Note, once covered, none of the details seen here will be visible (I know.... insane!)

Modeling For God

A closer look into the area which will become the Captain's quarters.  Much time spent on the black and white tiled flooring, the hinged rudder locker, and trimming out the gallery windows.

Keep in mind, all of this area will be completely enclosed and covered.  It will only be seen by looking through the windows.  The term for this kind of work is "Modeling for God".

Deck Completed

The deck and lower bulwarks are completed.  Note the black and white tiled floor in the aft quarters.  This area will be the captains quarters.

Holes are cut where her masts will be located.

Gratings and champion-ways are trimmed out.

Ready to Move Inboard

With the hull now completed, it is time to move inboard.

Note, the hull planks have been "tree nailed" with over a thousand tiny walnut pegs (or "trunnels").   

I have decided, this is the most graceful hull of any ship I know off.

Bulwarks - November 8th

Inboard progress beginning to take shape.

This photo was posted after about 12 weeks work.

As you can see, there has been quite a bit of progress made at this point. 

Bow View

The bow of this ship represents, by far, the most impressive details of all.

Keep in mind, this is NOT A KIT.

Every thing seen here is hand carved.

Transom Carvings

These ornate carvings on her transom were the primary reason why I chose the Confederacy as my next project.  The details of the tiny carvings seen here represented an extreme challenge to me.

There is no less than 80 hours work involved in these carvings.... some of which I carved two and three times because they are so delicate.

Quarter Galleries

There is almost as much carving detail decorating the quarter galleries as there is on the transom.

Forecastle Bulkhead

The forecastle bulkhead has two paneled doors and two "latrine" structures (the "heads").  This is where all crew members went if they actually had time.... otherwise, about anywhere "over the side" would serve their purpose whenever nature called.

No plumbing involved here.  Just a hole where everything simply fell directly into the sea.

Inboard View of Forecastle Bulkhead

From the inboard side, you can see the two outer doors which enter the latrines (privies).... otherwise known as the "head".

Figure Head

Finally beginning to develop more feel for extremely small carving detail.

The Confederacy's figure head is a Trojan warrier with shield and sword.  Because of his muscular torso, I named him "Bluto".

Note the detailed sandals on his feet.

The primary reason I have selected the Confederacy for my next build is because of the challenge of the detailed ornate carvings that adorned her.... especially her transom. 

USS Confederacy Beginning - August 1, 2010

Shown after two weeks progress.  Note the figure head carving.  I began framing this ship almost immediately after completion of the USS Syren.  As with the Syren, this will be a completely scratch built ship using detailed plans provided by the same friend (Chuck Passaro) who is possibly the finest shipwrights in the country.  Chuck's design will also become a Model Expo kit.