I have read the article about the model barge Westmoreland in this month's Model Boat and I doff my cap to a pure beginner who would make such a good job scratchbuilding from a pile of ply and a plan. I would love to see pictures of her sailing in due course.
Oh!, that the story of the real Westmoreland was as happy. She was built in 1900 for the Kentish firm of Eastwoods Brickmakers. She was engaged in carrying bricks until 1955, when she was restored as the company racing barge and raced and sailed in their colours until 1963 when she was acquired by the Thames Barge Sailing Club, who maintained her until she broke her back at Hoo in 1973. The wreck was sold and she was taken to Faversham where a considerable amount of work was carried out, but never completed. The wreck was then saved from destruction being put in a drydock and taken to Halstow , hopefully to be rebuilt.. A lottery grant was applied for but was never forthcoming and the drydock sank at her moorings doing even further damage to Westmoreland and she was then broken up. The Historic Ships people documented her and produced a set of plans for anyone who wishes to build a model. Thus passes the last of the 'brickies'.

Unhappily, Nerys

Hi Dave, I like the picture with the horse and cart loading from or to the barge, so reminiscent of the days when a barge would sail up some Essex creek and be loaded with produce in this manner. I know of several members who have built model barges, 'Veronica' being the favourite, probably because she is available in a part kit from Sarik, and of course, she was a famous racing barge. If you look in my harbour, you will find four sailing barges, a motor barge and a Dutch barge. All of which have been either scratch built or with bought in hulls. I am currently completing an auxiliary barge, then waiting in the wings is a part completed model of 'Sirdar' the racing barge of the London and Rochester Trading Company, which I purchased recently.

Cheers, Nerys

Hi Andy, if you follow this forum for long you will often find me ranting on about Thames Barges. I skippered them in trade many years ago. I have built several models, have a look in My Harbour.

Cheers, Nerys

Yes, Andy, the J class stand stood out for me. I thought it particularly good to see the gaff rigged versions too. I also liked the model of the International Dragon, pity she wasn't rigged. Sail is never awfully well represented at the show, but I personally regretted the absence of a single Thames Barge. There are usually a number exhibited on one particular stand, but I understand that exhibitor has ceased trading on medical grounds.

Nerys

Lovely traditional gaff cutter, sailing well, looks as if she is quite fast.

Nerys

Confusion in my diary led me to think that last Tuesday when I celebrated Trafalgar Day was the 21st October. Of course the 21st was Thursday. My profuse apologies for this silly mistake. I'm surprised Doug did not pick me up on this.

Nerys

I saw, and admired, Vice Admiral Popov at the Blackpool Show, so am very pleased to see these pictures of her construction. Also pleased to hear of her success in winning an award. If we consider this boat alongside Lionel B's Korean craft, Keo- Book -Sun , then I think he deserves the title, 'Honourable builder of unusual boats.'
Well done.

Nerys

Hi Wayne,
Yes I know there have been tanks and trucks for years, but I thought there were a lot more of them this year. They seemed to have a large proportion of the room shared with the Bring and Buy. However, I did see that the show in some places was advertised as the Blackpool Model Show which to me hinted at an increase of categories. Maybe, I'm wrong, just a feeling.

Nerys

All we found was some free make it yourself tea. I would have thought the hotel could have provided some sort of catering service, they were selling burgers and chips in the preceding room.

Nerys

Hi Jacko, that looks like a pretty handsome gift, but I see the Norfolk Keel disappearing over the horizon.

Nerys

All hands ! Double tot and make and mend. It's Trafalgar Day.

Hooray for Nelson.

Nerys

Went to the show today. Thought it wasn't as big as usual. Presumably a victim of Covid. Models as high a standard as ever. Seems that the organisers are trying to increase the scope of the show with tanks and other vehicles. Do wish the Norbreck would improve the lighting. However, three cheers for the show, at least it ran this year, which others didn't and I for one was pleased to be able to go there.

Nerys

Didn't work for me Ron.
Nerys

Jon, sorry, not that I know of. I can buy fibreglass bulb keels to fit my bigger Thames Barges, but they would not fit a pilot cutter. For my smaller barges I make what is essentially a shallow box about 3" wide, 10" long and about 1/2" thick. A 6mm threaded rod goes through the top for bolting to the hull. Make the box but do not fit the front. Fill with either sheet lead or lead fishing ballast, put side on glued and screwed. The leading and trailing edge can be rounded off. I have used brass sheet or ply for the front and back, depends how much weight you want. Probably would look ugly on a pilot cutter, but it works. Hope you can understand what I mean.
As I use this it is a fin keel,but there is no reason why you could not adapt it to fit along the long keel of your boat. As an afterthought, Mistyoptic made an extension weighted keel much the same idea as this for a small sailing boat he built in the Dutch style recently. Find the posts on that, he did do some photos, they were in Build Blogs under Dutch Auxiliary

Cheers, Nerys

Looks a nice shape hull. I think you are wise to plan an external bolt on keel.

Nerys

So construction is imminent. Sounds like a real car factory with parts all being delivered 'just in time'. I look forward to your updates,

Nerys

Talking steam, I have recently, been, extremely kindly been given a steam engine by one of our shipmates, but I am wondering where I will be able to sail the resulting build, once built. I know that both clubs I am a member of do not allow steam power on their lakes, so can anyone tell me if they know of a lake within, say 100 miles of South Wales, where I would be welcome with a steam boat?

Cheers, Nerys

I'm planning on going on Sunday. I suggest 1pm in the cafe as a suitable meeting time, but if you see an old lady, blonde hair, in a wheelchair with motive power courtesy of Alice, please say Hi! and make yourself known.

Nerys

Galleys were never like that when I was at sea.

Nerys

I wish I still had my first boat like you Colin. Mine was a Christmas present in about 1936 I think I was only about three. She was about 12" long, painted red and named 'Britannia'. Probably had that name because 'J' class racing was the thing at that time and 'Britannia' owned by the King was a popular contestant. I sailed her on Cold Knap Lake in Barry and I am still a member of the Vale of Glamorgan club that sails there. When I think, she was just an ordinary pond yacht with no controls apart from adjustable sheets and I would let her go and have every confidence that she would go to the other side where my Uncle would turn her round and send her back. The confidence of youth !!!

Looks like an interesting build. Is this the smaller version of the standard DUKW. I shall follow the build with interest, but I feel sorry for that poor Norfolk Keel that's languishing somewhere and crying her eyes out saying 'please build me'.

Cheers, Nerys

Pleased to see you are getting the Dragon afloat. She looks as if she is sailing well. That Dragonforce65 rig looks as if it was made for her.

Cheers, Nerys

She looks good Jacko, at least she's something different to have on the lake.

Nerys

Hello Colin,
Getting away from the wonderful world of steam for a moment, I have memories of you acquiring a sailing boat of some sort a while ago. Did you ever sort out how to rig her, or, can I help?

All the best, Nerys

Hello Muskrat,
Pleased to hear that the arrival of your Pilot Cutter kit is imminent. Being from South Wales, I have a soft spot for these craft although by the time I was wandering around the docks, they had been replaced by tug like craft, but of course there were some privately owned, 'Frolic' and 'Cariad' for instance. I, like others, look forward to your blog of the build. Best of luck.

Cheers, Nerys

That's what you call a steam yacht, just imagine Cowes Roads during Cowes Week in Victorian times with umpteen yachts like that anchored waiting for the arrival of the Royal Yacht, 'Victoria and Albert' with a Dreadnought in attendance as a guard ship and to fire royal salutes. Those were the days!!!!

Nerys

I think your Dragon build is coming on very well,but can imagine the problems you are having fitting all the 'innards' in. Having a motor complicates the space issue too. Anyway,best of luck and keep up the good work.

Cheers, Nerys

Yes Jacko, they're chainplates, but quite elaborate ones for most working boats.

Cheers, Nerys

Hi Muskrat,
Welcome to the site, we are all here to help you in any way possible. Yes, as others have said, those are chainplates, they would have been bolted through the planking and frames,and their purpose is to provide somewhere for the main shrouds holding up the mast to be anchored. I have made several model Thames Barges and use strip brass to make the chainplates. Holes drilled to fasten to the hull, then a hole near the top for a shackle to be fastened. Most traditional craft were similar in this.

All the best, Nerys

Hi Marky,

So sorry to hear that you've had to spend six weeks in hospital and if for no other reason, than having to suffer the hospital beds, (If they are anything like the ones in 'my' hospital). I'm sure you will enjoy a weekend break from their routine, less boredom and real cooking if nothing else. Hope you are able to escape their clutches before too long and it really will be your final treatment then get back to some semblance of normality.
All the very best to you and your wife.

Nerys