Transom’s Done, All Hull Planking Complete!

Posted on December 12, 2018 by Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey Association

On October 25 this was the only opening left in the sides of Ernestina-Morrissey.  Shutter Plank day had arrived.

The last opening is ready for the shutter plank, the ceiling clamps are in place to hold the plank tight until the fastenings can be inserted.

This last plank “shuts up” the hull and is 26 feet long, 3 inches thick like all the planking,  and from nearly 6 inches wide at the butt end to 4+ inches at the transom end.

SEMA President Julius Britto and his wife Sandra explain the names to a visitor.

The whole plank has two caulking bevels, top and bottom (the sides in this photo).  The names are inscribed on the inside of the plank.

The seam above and below the shutter plank has to be caulked so two bevels are shaped.

The shutter or whiskey plank was inscribed with the names chosen by Whiskey Plank Club members and others whose contributions combined to make a sailing future for Ernestina-Morrissey possible.

The crew assembled to commemorate the last plank. Thank you, Robert Mitchell! photo credit: Mitchell Photography CONNECTIONS Publishing inc. October 25, 2018

Then the plank was carried to Ernestina-Morrissey.

The plank was brought in from the bow to be able to clear all the staging.

All the tools and wood blocks are in place, ready to use.

It takes quite a bit of maneuvering to bring the plank into place.

Linseed oil is applied to the inside of the plank.

From this perspective you can see how long the plank is.

While most of the crew works on the shutter plank the caulker continues driving the oakum in over the cotton caulking. There is nearly a mile of seams in Ernestina-Morrissey.

The butt end is going into place.

Clamping the butt end. The rest of the crew has to be sure the plank is lined up exactly and not twisted at all while the clamp is tightened.

Willy Leather calls for more leverage from the transom end.

Clamping the midsection.

Blocks of wood keep the head of the clamp from denting the plank.

Mary Anne McQuillan and Julius Britto with the honor of "bringing it home".

John Bullard and Julius finish the job. VIDEO LINK

The ends of the last few planks will be trimmed and then the transom can be finished.

Three weeks later the last plank goes into the transom.

The last plank goes into the transom. Thank you, Robert Mitchell! photo credit: Mitchell Photography CONNECTIONS Publishing inc. November 16, 2018

Picture in your mind when this transom says: Ernestina-Morrissey - New Bedford .... Thank you, Robert Mitchell! photo credit: Mitchell Photography CONNECTIONS Publishing inc. November 16, 2018

This Project is being supported with funds from the City of New Bedford’s Community Preservation Act Program,

You can easily access all our posts about this project HERE.

To help support this project please press the yellow DONATE button at the right.

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