Sovereign Of The Seas - The Art Of Modification...Part Three/ Rex Stewart

A closeup view-  Sovereign of the Seas forecastle deck, foremast and rigging lines...

Working with this vintage model from the Airfix series is the perfect kit for assessing SOVEREIGN's true structure relative to gun arrangement and layout. Many features throughout this build had to be altered to the degree of scale, guns, gratings and belay points...For a fighting ship there had to be enough space to move around the guns and rigging. Also, the rigging had to be clear of the guns in order for them to operate properly on their carriages.

I noticed the bow chasers on the upper forecastle were positioned four across. Based on the structure of the catheads (and the stepping of the foremast) there would have been no room for these guns to recoil. The mast, alone, makes it evident that only two chasers were there, not four. The falcons (port and starboard) are correct.

On many models I noticed there are no galley stacks. Why?

Meals were prepared forward of the ship, therefore the stove was located somewhere on the second or third deck above the waterline away from the crew.

I did not see any kit or institutional model feature any open companionways for the crew to  have immediate accessibility to guns and/or rigging prior to battle or weather conditions. Because of these factors I just didn't want to build 'another' SOVEREIGN; but have one that was a study model showing authentic deck layout and rigging of the period...Not by assumption or speculation, but by fact.

Before proceeding with rigging of the foremast, I had to concentrate on the anchors and how they were secured to the channels. Airfx anchors were perfectly scaled and correctly matched the channel length for stowing. However, the channel width was too narrow to house the anchor's bill so I had to widen that feature. This also helped to avoid having the ratlines touch the rails on the forecastle.

I kept the bill but modified the stem and stock as shown in the above image.

For my references to the anchor area I used both artist renditions from Van De Velde (the elder) who lived during that period and the contemporary illustration of artist Bjorn Landstrom. I considered these two sources very credible -based on my 40 years of maritime research.

Here, the anchor is stowed which give room for the second to be stowed and lashed properly as illustrated in the above Van De Velde drawing. Notice in the rendition a system of complete gratings covering the gun decks...In reality the system NEVER existed because it would not have given the crew leeway to operate the rigging for the sails. Furthermore, you have capstans which were essential for hoisting the large sails and yards; not to mention loading supplies and dispatching the boats.

It's difficult to fathom many builders ignoring those facts and succumb to so-called historians with their theories based on artist renditions and/or paintings. To make my point, view the contemporary illustration below and ask 'how' the crew was able to get past the gratings to be on deck to trim the sails? The stowed boats dictate grating could not have been present except on the spar deck where the spars are shown! Why won't modelmakers and historians 'do' the homework?

It took me 38 years to bring this truth to bear!

Contemporary drawing created during the 1980s that raised my suspicions at that time relative to the rigging factor and how it clashed with the reality of operational rigging systems. Also the contradiction of painting the topsides 'blue'...stealing the identity away from this ship when it was probably used as the color under the rule of King James when the PRINCE ROYAL was built in 1610. Under the son, Charles I, his ships carried black topsides.

Now, back to the rigging...

Before actual rigging is done, I first address how I want the sails to set -based on the wind setting. I find many models interesting because the builder presents to the viewer his or her view of how the vessel is operating -whether in calm waters or rough seas. Most don't understand that this small detail is the essence to good model presentation -on all levels. However, imagination is the key.

In this image I sketch out the sail from the same paper stock that these will be made from, keeping in mind that I'm focusing on wind movement (first), then on how the rigging will set based on that movement. The image implies that the sail is being let down by the bunts, keeping in mind that the port anchor is being lifted for stowing.

After the sail is drawn, it is cut out and folded to match both the indents and folds where the lines run which include the attached blocks. This add realism to the masts; but the rigging must be engineered in such a way where the lines can pass through the blocks without fouling or getting twisted with other lines. This process is tedious and must be planned ahead of time before securing the sail to the yards. And as shown, the yard is above the finished sail awaiting attachment.

The below image show the sail and yard concept as one unit, and the detail of those lines pre-arranged for the next step of rigging. It all looks complicated, and technically it is; but with practice everything will start to flow and balance...giving an effective result.
                                                                                                                                                                 

The next two images show how beautiful and effective the rigging process is when the completed sail has been attached to the mast. All other remaining lines are then attached to systems at the fore and aft points on the model...Concentration is 'key' so not to disrupt or foul existing lines -and the eyes must always focus in every and all directions during the build so not to ruin work that's taken weeks or months to accomplish.

Two views showing the main course attached and rigged to the mast with lines falling to their respective belay points.

In my study of rigging , I noticed 17th century ships had basic lines for their large ships that were universal. These were lines that contemporary models omitted or used randomly. Some lines were not present because of confusion to their leads and falls. These were bunts, martnetts, relieving tackles, bowlines, and top ropes. Other details were various stay designs between the main and mizzen masts -and tackle systems that assisted in relieving the strain of a line when masts and yards were hoisted or lowered.

In my calculation there must have been 50 - 60 tackle systems operating this ship (and other European ships of those times, re: France, Holland, Sweden, Spain, etc.)...

Coming upon the last leg of the build, I studied the Van De Velde painting in the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich, England. I noticed the complicated mizzen stay systems of the top and topgallant masts. I had to decide how to approach it on such a small model at 1:168 scale. Below is the procedure and the following photo, the result.

The procedure...

The result...

On a miniature of this size, it is important to have the stays in place before completing the final segment of sail making and rigging. The most challenging part of this process is rigging the braces and bringing them down to their belay points without destroying the ensign flag. This is very tedious, even for the expert...and it's based upon the seriousness of the build.

In this particular image, I address the running rigging of the lateen sail. Since the model will show the sails taking in the breeze, I gently billowed this sail to show this effect without over-exaggerating the realism. In the background is the vintage thread used for the boltropes seen around the sail and the cake of beeswax used to preserve the threads from rotting.

The finished lateen is now ready to be installed...

The final diagram review of modification and corrections before completing Sovereign of the Seas.

Nothing can be more rewarding than to lose oneself in the annals of history and rediscover roads that others have trail blazed. It is not a put down of any individual's work, but rather an opportunity to study and enhance what's already been without ruining a finding based on pride. I have always honored those who opened doors to truths that many have ignored. Always wanting to know 'more' about a thing and not settle for mediocrity.

I am thankful for all those who have built their SOVEREIGNs before I was to actually build mine. All were helpful with my assessments and evaluations to a ship that held unanswered data that brought me into the fold. And because of these individuals, I better understanding for the traditional shipbuilding methods of the period.

No man's findings are absolute, but in those findings there will always be purpose; and that is absolute.

I now depart from this blog to prepare the finale. Thank you for taking the consideration to read and view the images!

For commissioned work, whether scratchbuilt or kit modification, please send your requests to Caseships@yahoo.com. My profile page can be viewed at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rexstewart. Videos representing my recent works can be viewed at https://youtube.com/c/RexStewartoriginals


A special note:

Some of you have kits that you want to enjoy...not having the time (or being delayed) to complete -or build them. In my line of experience, I can modify your kits to be historically accurate in fine detail -and can safely package and ship your gem globally.

The contact information is above.