Curved Gaff Jaws
Dear Matt,
I was pleased to see the article in WB No. 303 by professional boatbuilder Greg Rössel on making curved gaff jaws, because it was almost exactly what I, an amateur, had come up with for my own recent build. It’s nice to have one’s solutions validated. What I did differently was to put tapered flats on the end of the gaff, with inner jaw sides to match, as suggested by Bill Garden in his excellent article on the subject in WB No. 59. I also used Garden’s method of sizing the jaws, halyard tongue, and tumbler, which is scalable, with all dimensions related to mast diameter. As is usual with Garden, the resulting proportions are perfect.
Alex Zimmerman
Victoria, British Columbia
Models as Historical Record
Ahoy, Tom,
Regarding your book review in WB No. 303: I did a lot of ship-model reconditioning (I prefer Rob Napier’s description of that activity, as opposed to “restoration.”) While I do not offer myself as an authority whatsoever on vessels or models in the Rogers Collection—or others of that period—here are places where I found identification of the modeled vessel, the modelmaker’s name, and date:
- On the bottom of the “baseboard” upon which the model was displayed.
- In the hold, when the model was built plank-on-frame, plank-on-bulkhead, or simply hollowed out.
- Under a hatch that required removal for reconditioning.
- Inside of a deckhouse that required removal.
- And, of course, on any “nameplate” that might have been attached to the baseboard or the exhibit case.
As for the Rogers Collection itself: Many of the models needed repairs to the rigging; sometimes it was partially or completely replaced. Whether the original was sufficiently or faithfully documented, we don’t know. The replacements were performed according to the experience and opinion of the person doing the work. To my knowledge, those modern artisans probably did not leave us a record of the sources informing their decisions. Therefore, the models in their altered states have limitations as primary sources. The same is true in archival newspaper accounts by reporters, who might have had limited or virtually no background in things nautical and used whatever experience and opinion they might apply to describe an event or scene.
Randy Biddle
Windship Studios, Star, Idaho
Nice Cover, But…
Dear Editor,
As a fan and a subscriber, I thought I should alert you to the lack of eye protection on both gentlemen in the excellent photograph depicting a scene in the restoration process. Occasionally we should be reminded of shop safety procedures to help prevent injury when performing boat work. The illuminated flying wood debris caused by the chainsaw is a perfect example highlighting what not to do. While we celebrate skill and craftsmanship, let’s do it sensibly. A lesson that needs repeating.
Jonathan Lewis
via email
The March/April issue (No. 303) just arrived, and I haven’t even opened it yet. I’m just sitting here staring, entranced, at the cover photo. It’s a masterpiece.
Lawrence W. Cheek
Whidbey Island, Washington