Irene Rebuild                                          

Page Fourteen

8th June 2007



Recent work has been largely directed by the anniversary. Mark has been fairing and painting the hull to a mirror finish. When I suggested that we were able to see our faces in his handywork, his response was ‘who would want to’. Whether he was referring to his face or mine, was left unclear. Below deck the ceiling was excavated from all the Shipwrights’ debris, swept, hoovered and pressure washed. The deck was scraped, the site was cleared and Pat slaved over a hot stove.

Marks mirror finish & rudder offered up.

The rudder was offered up and is in temporary position. It will need more adjusting and shaping to ensure that it has the desired angles, seals water flow between rudder and hull, and rotates accurately at deck level. John is busy fabricating the metal bands for the bowsprit in preparation for stepping the bowsprit in position. This is not just to make Irene even prettier, it is part of the process of moving the centre of gravity forward so that when the tide is big enough, the stern end will float as soon as the forefoot is off the grid.

        
Syd offering up the first bowsprit band (& being bullied by the master)                      The very bollard to which the Mayflower was moored. 

It was time to get the engines installed. A telehoist was being used nearby and for an extra day’s hire it came to Bagmill. The engines with gear box and attachments were now about the one ton weight and the telehoist complained when it’s reach was expected to deposit the engine on the deck. The chain hoist was attached, engines lowered through the hatch and with much huffing and puffing, pulling and pushing deposited on the waiting engine mounts. The propshafts were collected and installed, ditto propellers and we were very close to a performing engine if it were not for Halyard Marine deciding that it needed five weeks to meet our order for exhaust piping and silencers. Not impressive.

Now work has restarted on the hull below the waterline. We are assessing the need for trunnels, looking for dubious seams, areas that may need filling or a graving piece and a constant eye for the nail holes that need plugging.

Dressed overall

Ready for the guests -------------- but our guests prefer the proximity of the bar to the elegance of the deck.

Despite gloomy forecasts the weather for Irene’s 100th Birthday was sublime. Partygoers were fuelled with alcohol, fed an excellent dinner and entertained by that professional gigger Stephen Morrish, as well as spontaneous sight read contributions from more amateur performers.

The brass quartet.

As dusk fell the party moved down below where a video screening of the fire, the underwater survey, the raising of the hull and the Atlantic tow. This was followed by more professional footage of the rebuild supplied by Danny Norman. Entertained and data laden the audience returned to the bar before disappearing into the night. All agreed that it had been a great party and Irene is still smiling.

The Master well content - note the empty bottle.


 

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