Irene Rebuild                                          

Page Thirteen

25th April 2007

First, apologies for the absence of photos on pages 11 & 12. Technological obfuscation sabotaged. Some visuals are now in place – and to compensate we are providing an over-dose on this page.

Decking and sunshine.

Laying the deck has been the principle occupation of our Shipwright team.

----------------------------------------------------Deck from forward. Elderly sander on tea break.

While Ted and John planed and routered the planking; Ben and Chugs raced ahead on fastening the planking.With the change of weather to a stable period of sunshine the roof was carefully removed bit by bit, to a certain point where the whole lot collapsed (they were kind enough to wait until I was no longer underneath).

       
--------Fore plank still under wraps & protecting gear.-------------Seams payed. Access ladder moved to clear side deck

Planks brought on deck. Underside primed & undercoated.

Planking in the sunshine is a much more pleasant experience and caulking and paying has followed. Suddenly Irene looks like a proper ship and with the fairing of to the hull and the coat of primer on the planking – she looks great.

We worked hard to meet the April Spring tides but as the date approached it became increasingly clear that we were simply unready for launch. In accordance with the advice from the wiser heads of the older Shipwrights we decided to abort the rush into the mud berth. In the event because of the high-pressure area Irene didn’t even float on the April tides so it seems very likely that we will remain on the grid at least until August.

     
----------Shaping the last port plank.--------------------Drilling for the deck nails.

   
--------------In position & cleaned.----------------------------------------------Deck nail positioned.

   
------------............and hammered home.--------------------------------------------------Caulking.

     
------------Routering the Caulking seam.-----------------------------Sanding the deck planks.

Planking however, has gone on with extreme efficiency and the last plank was hammered home on the 25th April. The long period of dry weather was a great benefit and although there is a sprinkling of wetness from on high, caulking has proceeded, paying with Norwegian pitch and scraping to a fine finish is a joy to the eye.

The Plug Production Project.

Not least, the Mrs took over the production of plugs to seal the deck-nail holes.

The other job we needed to do before launch was the repair of the rudder.

Rudder dismantled.

The stock down to the water line was badly burnt in the fire and it was clear that the whole rudder had to be rebuilt with a new lump of oak stretching from the keel to the tiller bar on deck.

------------------Improving the shape.-----------------------------------------------------Ready for hanging.

To do this, the rudder had to be completely dismantled and we took the opportunity of getting both gudgeons and pintles galvanised, and introducing a little shape to improve the hydrodynamic efficiency of the rudder.

The Historic Ships Committee have very kindly given us a grant to help cover the cost of the steering gear. The large kevel will be attached to the stern stanchions and the after bearing attached to the centre of that kevel. At the fore end will be a small tripod to take the forward bearing for a shaft that holds the steering barrel. The chains will attach the kevel to the tiller and the ships wheel at the forward end of the shaft will in theory direct the course of the vessel. Irene however, has always been headstrong and has not infrequently taken over when there is some mere human twiddling the wheel.

The 29th May this year is the 100th anniversary of Irene’s launch. There will be dinner aboard on the upper deck (weather permitting) for members of the Irene Sailing Society £10 “ buys” you a plank and membership. Cost of dinner, including alcohol, is £25 and we are hoping to show some professional footage of the rebuild as well as my own amateur attempts. Unfortunately we have no accommodation to offer – tents or vans are the best option to local B&B’s, which because of half term, are almost certainly all booked. Come if you can.
 

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