June at the Shipyard

Here's the view from the forward section looking toward the new stern. There's a pattern for a futtock waiting to be used for reference. You can see the ladder to reach the deck from the fish-hold. This section already has renewed deck beams and a new deck.

The fore mast step. This would carry the mast that came up through the aft end of the galley table.

Looking forward toward the stem which was replaced in Cape Verde in the late 1970's and is still sound.

Here is the new keel under the forward section of the hull.

The new keel looking forward. The grey scarfed section is aft most of the lead ballast sections. The keel is beveled to receive the garboard. The right side shows the dead wood with the stern frames attached. At the upper left you can see into the forward section of the ship. Between is a temporary platform to support the construction process.

The wood keel under the dead wood.

The propeller shaft has been bored and the bearing is in place on the stern post. The vertical timber at the right is the rudder post. The space between the stern and rudder posts will accommodate the propeller. There are still a couple of frames to erect here.

Stern post with bearing.

The beauty of ship timbers

Ready for the last two cant frames.

The first square frame to rest on the keel. Notice the stubs of the trunnels used to fasten the futtocks together.

The crew preparing one of the last cant frames to be lifted into place. It is so heavy with the live oak futtocks and floor that it has to be lifted in two sections, starboard side first.

With the port side frame in place the crew begins to fasten the frame to the deadwood.

Straps on the trunnel stubs hold the port and starboard sections in place.

Drilling pilot holes for silicon-bronze bolts

Getting the next frame ready

Notice the pattern on the frame for final adjustments.