θωερτψυιοπασδφγηϕκλζξχϖβνµθωερτψυι οπασδφγηϕκλζξχϖβνµθωερτψυιοπασδφγη ϕκλζξχϖβνµθωερτψυιοπασδφγηϕκλζξχϖβ νµθωερτψυιοπασδφγηϕκλζξχϖβνµθωερτψ υιοπασδφγηϕκλζξχϖβνµθωερτψυιοπασδφ γηϕκτψυιοπασδφγηϕκλζξχϖβνµθωερτψυι οπασδφγηϕκλζξχϖβνSMA SMA µθωερτψυιοπασδφγη ϕκλζξχϖβνµθωερτψυιοπασδφγηϕκλζξχϖβ νµθωερτψυιοπασδφγηϕκλζξχϖβνNewsletterNewsletterµ θωερτψ υιοπασδφγηϕκλζξχϖβνVolume 46, Number 5, May , 2019µθωερτψυιοπασδφ γηϕκλζξχϖβνµθωερτψυιοπασδφγηϕκλζξχ ϖβνµθωερτψυιοπασδφγηϕκλζξχϖβνµθωε ρτψυιοπασδφγηϕκλζξχϖβνµρτψυιοπασδφ Contacts γηϕκλζξχϖβνPresident: Jeanµθωερτψυιοπασδφγηϕκλζξχ-Philippe Dal Gobbo – [email protected] Vice President: Brian Stein – [email protected] ϖβνµθωερτψυιοπασδφγηϕκλζξχϖβνSecretary: Paul Payne: (310) 544-1461 µθωε Treasurer: Larry Van Es: (714) 936-0389 – [email protected] Editor: Don Dressel: (909) 949-6931 – [email protected]. ρτψυιοπασδφγηϕκλζξχϖβνWeb Manager: Jean-Phillippe Dal Gobbo µθωερτψυιοπα SMA mail address: 21520 Yorba Linda Blvd, Suite G234, Yorba Linda, Ca. σδφγηϕκλζξχϖβνµθωερτψυιοπασδφγηϕκλ92887 www.shipmodelersassociation.org.

ζξχϖβνµθωερτψυιοπασδφγηϕκλζξχϖβνMeeting – Weds, May 15, 7 PM, Red Cross Building, 1207 N. Lemon, µθ Fullerton, CA. 92832 ωερτψυιοπασδφγηϕκλζξχϖβνµθωερτψυιο πασδφγηϕκλζξχϖβνµθωερτψυιοπασδφγηϕ

κλζξχϖβνµθωερτψυιοπασδφγηϕκλζξχϖβν 1 µθωερτψυιοπασδφγηϕκλζξχϖβνµθωερτψυ ιοπασδφγηϕκλζξχϖβνµρτψυιοπασδφγηϕκ λζξχϖβνµθωερτψυιοπασδφγηϕκλζξχϖβνµ

WORK IN PROGRESS

April 17, 2019

Reporter: Don Dressel

Training Ship Amerigo Vespucci 1931 – Brian Stein

Amerigo Vespucci (1454-1512) was an Italian explorer, financier, navigator and cartographer who was born in the Republic of Florence. He became a citizen of the Crown of Castile in 1505. Around 1502, Vespucci demonstrated that Brazil and the West Indies were not Asia’s eastern outskirts (as initially conjectured from Columbus’ voyages) but a separate, unexplored land mass colloquially known as the New World. Vespucci’s expeditions became known in Europe after two accounts attributed to him were published between 1502 and 1503. In 1507, Martin Waldseemüller produced a world map on which he named the new continent America after the feminine Latin version of Vespucci’s first name. (Wikipedia) The Amerigo Vespucci is a tall ship of the Italian Navy named after the explorer Amerigo Vespucci. Its homeport is La Spezia, Italy and it is in use as a school ship. In 1925, the Regia Marina ordered two school ships to a design by General Lieutenant Francesco Rotundi of the Italian Navy Engineering corps, inspired by the style of large late 18th century 74-cannon ships of the line. The first, the Chistoforo Colombo, was put into service in 1928 and was used by the Italian Navy until 1943. After World War II, this ship was handed over to the USSR as part of the war reparation and was shortly afterwards decommissioned. The second ship was the Amerigo Vespucci, built in 1930 at the Naval Shipyard of Castellammare di Stabia (). She was launched on February 22, 1931 and put into service in July of that year. The vessel is a full rigged three-masted steel hull 270 ft. long, with an overall length of 331 ft. including the bowsprit and a maximum width of 51 ft. She has a draught of about 23 ft. and a displacement at full load of 4146 tons. Under auxiliary diesel-electric propulsion the Amerigo Vespucci can reach 10 knots and has a range of 5450 nm at 6.5 knots. (Wikipedia) Brian is continuing his work on his model of Amerigo Vespucci. It is being built from a Mantua Panart kit in 1:84 scale. He has started to install his deck planking and is working on installing LED lights throughout the ship, which will look very spectacular when

2 completed. If you look closely at the photo above you will be able to see one of the LED’s at the stern.

HMS Bellona 1760 – Chris Carl

HMS Bellona was a 74-gun Bellona- class third-rate ship-of-the-line of the . Designed by Sir Thomas Slade, she was a prototype for the iconic 74-gun ships of the latter part of the 18th century. Her particulars were: Tons burthen: 1615 bm; Length: 168 ft. on the gundeck and 138 ft. keel; Beam: 47 feet; Draught: 21 ft.; Depth of hold: 20 ft.; complement: 650 officers and men; Armament: Lower gundeck: 28 X 32 pounders; Upper gundeck: 28 X 18 pounders; Quarterdeck: 14 X 9 pounders; Forecastle: 4 X 9 pounders. Chris continues making progress on the HMS Bellona built from a plank on bulkhead Corel kit in 1:100 scale. He now has all the boat beams mounted and all the deck items completed. All the 32 and 18 pounder guns are installed along with the 32-pounder carronades. The gateway stanchions are completed also. His next task is making the boats for the Bellona followed by the beginning of installing the lower masts and starting the rigging.

HMS Vanguard 1787 – John Bakker

HMS Vanguard is a 74-gun in the British Royal Navy and was Admiral Nelson’s flagship at the famous on 12t/2nd August 1798. Nelson’s Vanguard was designed by Slade (of HNS Victory fame) and was one of fourteen 3rd rate 74-gun ships, which formed the Arrogant class. The ship was ordered on 9th December 1779 and the keel was laid down at on 16 October 1782. During this time, Britain was not at war so her build went ahead very slowly, being launched on 6th March 1787. John indicated that 92% of the ship was built of oak, which comprised 75 acres of forest. She weighted 1604 tons, had 550 officer and men, and had a length of 168 feet on the gun deck with a breadth of 46 feet 9 inches. She carried 28-pounders on the lower deck, 18-pounders on the upper gun deck and 9- pounders on the quarterdeck and forecastle with a broadside of 781 pounds. John has completed the work on his model with the exception of the installation of the anchors that still has to be completed. He has no desire to mast and rig the model as it would become too large to display in his home. John also indicated that his would be the

3 last time he would bring the model in to the club meeting, as he is also working on a number of other models. Great job, John!

Continental Lexington – Paul Payne

On 19 April 1776, armed farmers of the local Massachusetts militia fought a detachment of British troops at Concord and Lexington, Mass., opening a conflict that grew into the Revolutionary War. The Skirmishes heralded the beginnings of major political, social and military upheavals in Europe and the Americas, truly warranting the line “Here once the embattled farmers stood, and fired the shot heard around the world.” (Brigantine: length between perpendiculars 86’; beam 24’ 6 “; complement 110; armament 14 4-pounders, 12 swivels) Abraham van Bibber purchased brigantine Wild Duck for the Maryland Committee of Safety at St. Eustatius for the Dutch West Indies in February 1776. She soon got underway for the Delaware Capes and reached Philadelphia 9 March with a cargo of sorely needed powder for the patriot forces. Four days later the Marine Committee purchased Wild Duck, renamed her Lexington, and turned her over to Wharton and Humphrey for fitting out. Commanded by Capt. John Barry, Lexington dropped down the Delaware 26 March and slipped through the British blockade 6 April. The following day she fell in with British sloop Edward, a tender to the enemy Liverpool. After a fierce fight, which lasted about an hour, Edward struck her colors. Lexington took her prize into Philadelphia and as soon as the ship was back in fighting trim, Barry put to sea again. On 26 April Lexington encountered Sir Peter Parker’s fleet sailing to attack Charleston, S.C. Two of the British ships gave chase on 5 May off the Delaware Capes. HMS Roebuck and Liverpool chased Lexington for 8 hours and came close enough to exchange fire with the American ship before Barry managed to elude his pursuers and reach Philadelphia safely. Lexington and Reprisal dropped down the Delaware to Cape May on the 20th and joined Wasp and Hornet. HMS Liverpool stood off the Delaware Capes preventing the American ships from escaping into the sea. On 28 June Pennsylvania’s brig Nancy arrived in the area with 386 barrels of powder in her hold and ran aground while attempting to elude British blockader Kingfisher. Barry ordered the precious powder rowed ashore during the night leaving only 100 barrels in Nancy at dawn. A delayed action fuse was left inside the brig, which exploded the powder just as a boatload of British seamen boarded Nancy. On 10 July Lexington slipped to sea. On the 27th she captured Lady Susan, a ship of Lord Dunmore’s Tory Fleet, which operated out of Chesapeake Bay. William Goodrich, a member of the notorious Tory family that had plagued the shipping of Virginia and Maryland, commanded this privateer. Richard Dale, one of seven members of Lazy Susan’s crew who signed on Lexington, later won fame under John Paul Jones. Early in September, Lexington took another sloop, Betsy. About a fortnight later lightning struck Lexington forcing the brigantine home for repairs. Lexington anchored off Philadelphia 26 September and 2 days later Barry relinquished Command.

4 With repairs completed, Lexington, Captain William Hallock in command, got underway for Cape Francois to obtain military cargo. On the return voyage, British frigate Pearl overhauled the brigantine just short of the Delaware Capes 20 December and captured her. The commander of the frigate removed Lexington’s officers but left 70 of her men on board under hatches with a prize crew. But by luring their captors with a promise of rum, the Yankee sailors recaptured the ship and brought her to Baltimore. Lexington, Capt. Henry Johnson in command, sailed for France 20 February 1777 and took two prizes before reaching Bordeaux in March. In France, the brigantine joined Reprisal and Dolphin for a cruise seeking the Irish linen fleet scheduled to leave Dublin early in June. The American ships, commanded by Capt. Lambert Wickes, got underway 28 May and were carried far to westward by heavy winds. Approaching Dublin from the north they entered the North Channel 18 June and hove to off the Mull of Kintyre. During the next 4 days they captured nine prizes, sinking three, releasing one and retaining five. Heading south again on the 22nd, they took and scuttled a brig before arriving off Dublin Bay. The next morning they took another brig and released a ship bringing sugar, rum and cotton from . After placing prize crews on both vessels, they resumed their voyage around Ireland. On the 24th they stopped and released a smuggler and the next day took their last prize, a snow. When they sighted ship-of-the-line Buford near Ushant on the 26th, the American ships scattered and made their way individually to safety in France. Lexington remained at Morlaix, a Brittany fishing village, throughout the summer, hemmed in by British warships. However, France, under strong British diplomatic pressure, ordered the American ships out of French waters 12 September. Lexington got underway the next morning but made little headway because of light wind. She lay becalmed near Ushant on the morning of the 19th when British cutter Alert came into view. In the ensuing fight, Lexington’s rigging was seriously damaged precluding flight. When the American brigantine ran out of powder Captain Johnson reluctantly struck his colors. “Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships – Department of the Navy- Naval Historical Center- 805 Kidder Breese SE – Washington Navy Yard – Washington DC” Paul has restarted working on his 1:48 scratch built model of the Lexington after a layover of 4 years. In the meantime, a lot of research has been going on with conversations with Dr. Feldman and his research of the Lexington, working with the book American Ships of the Colonial & Revolutionary Periods by Millar, and researching the archives and records of the British ship HMS Alert, which captured Lexington.

Hannah – Don Dressel

Don brought in his model of the Hannah to show what could be done with apple wood. The model is scratch built using the plank on frame method with apple wood as the primary wood. Don is now in the process of making the spars from Degame (lemonwood), which is an excellent straight-grained wood for spars, turned on his lathe. Care must be taken while working with apple wood as it can easily burn when cutting with power saws.

5 Cutter – Jim Shuttleworth

Jim brought in a cutter model that he purchased at an auction in the City of Commerce. He indicated that he is not a model builder, but loves models and occasionally finds a good purchase at an auction. He plans to try and restore this model and correct the damage done to it over time. Jim thinks the model is from the 19th century and possibly a pond model, although it is hollow. But he likes the appearance of the model. Lets hope that we can see the model again with the necessary repairs to the sails, spars and rigging.

Pteranodon Ingius – Steve Lund

Steve is working on a prehistoric bird (I think) that can fly. It is a paper model with a 40” wingspan, but Steve is thinking of making it bigger and turning it into a flying RC model. It will be interesting to see what happens with this project.

Mayflower Group

For those who are curious, there was no MAYFLOWER GROUP meeting for the month of April was cancelled due to the fact that the Mayflower Group meeting date fell on Easter Sunday. There will be a Mayflower Group meeting next month as usual, the Sunday after the regular meeting, which falls on May 19th.

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HMS Vanguard – John Bakker HMS Bellona – Chris Carl Continental Brigantine Lexington – Paul Payne Amerigo Vespucci – Brian Stein

Hannah – Don Dressel Cutter – Jim Shuttleworth

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SMA Club Ship Model Plans

Our Treasurer, Larry Van Es, has offered to take on the task of cataloging our Club’s ship plans collection. This job has been attempted various times by others in the past with varying results. Larry promised to do his best. If you would like to help him with this endeavor, please contact him at: (714) 936-0389 or e-mail him at [email protected].

Dues are Still Due

If you have not paid your dues, it is not too late. There is still time. It is still the same as in years past, for members it is $25.00 and for those over 100 miles distance it is $20.00. The current balance, according to Larry, is $4,428.16 as of the January meeting.

San Diego Ship Modelers Guild

For those SMA members who may be interested, the San Diego Ship Modelers Guild now has their meetings on the Berkley on the second Tuesday of each month. Your editor and reporter routinely attend the meeting that is usually very informative and entertaining with lots of ship modeling info exchanged.

Spiling Presentation at Future SMA meeting

For the interest of all SMA members there will be a presentation on spiling planning at a future meeting, one of four DVD’s presented to your editor with the complements of Bob Filipowski, president of the Midwest Model Shipwrights.

New SMA Editor

The president of the SMA made an announcement that Don Dressel is retiring as Editor of the SMA Newsletter after approximately 14 years as editor and an additional 19 years as assistant/article writer for the newsletter. Anyone who would like to fill this position should contact any of the SMA club officers.

Presentations

The president of the SMA also announced that the officers are looking for members who may be interested in presenting a short presentation of ship model construction at a meeting. Again, contact any SMA officer if interested.

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Don Dressels lighted Pirate Brig

Donald C. Dressel 908 W. 22nd Street, Upland, CA. 91784-1220

NEXT MEETING WEDNESDAY, MAY 15 7:30 PM, HILLCREST PARK RED CROSS BUILDING

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