Building a Pirate Ship - Part 11

Part 11

Finishing details:

In this installment I will cover the final details that will turn your ship into the center piece of your collection. The details and finishing touches will make the difference between a common "scratch built" ship and a ship that is a custom made work or art.

Add Accent pieces:
Pick up some beads from your local craft store. Be selective with beads that will accent your ship. I selected a studded gold colored bead.

For De Wolven, I placed a gold bead on each end of the Main-topsail and Fore-topsail. Plus one extra on top of the Foremast.

Skull marker beads:
The skull beads can be found on-line, eBay is a good source. For my ships, I add posts on the stern as expained in an earlier posting. The post and skulls are used to mark the speed of your ship in knots. Within The Pirates Code - No Quarter Given Rules System 2009c Battlefield Hobbies, speed is measured in knots. Each 1-Knot is 10cm for each action, with two action for each player in a turn.


Add Chains: (Optional)
Adding chains to your ship gives it a nice touch, yet in most cases is optional. You can use store bought lengths of chain in silver or gold colored or with a dull finish. Or real gold/silver if you have any old broken or unused chains hanging around.

Add the chains for guard rails, anchors or on the bowspar for accent.

Detail the Railing:
In previous installments, several posts had been set into the clay along the edge of the quarter deck.

Now you will complete the railing by adding thread tied off on each post to form the railing.

Using only a clove hitch knot, I have tied off a thread to form the guard rail. I start on one post securing the line with a double clove hitch. Then continue to the next post.

Secure the line:
Once you complete the rail, tie off the thread and add a touch of glue, so the line does not unravel.

The name plate:

For the name plate I suggest using photoshop with a font that will add character to your ship.
De Wolven is a Dutch ship, and will be the Flag ship for a very prestigious Captain from the North. Thus a fancy gothic script was used.

In addition, since I was using photoshop, the text is on a backdrop of a night sky with a full moon rising. A fitting name plate for a Wolf ship.

Glue the photoshop image/text on the name plate, then outline the name with thread so you can not see the boarder of the photoshop printed paper. You can use 110lbs card stock, or plain paper as needed. Either is fine, since the next step will seal and protect the paper.

Dry Fast Top Coat:

Purchase some nail polish top coat, with a nice high gloss finish, you can pick it up at any Walgreens for about $5. The one I used is called "Fast Dry Top Coat" and it is appropriatly named, since it does dry VERY fast.
I applied three coats letting each dry about 10 minutes even though it seemed to dry in minutes. I wanted to avoid a heavy coat that could drip.

Christening the ship:

Christening a ship is a naval tradition that dates back in recorded history to ancient Babylon in the 3rd millennium BC. However the tradition has changed, significantly over the past 5000 years, since sacrificing oxen to pagan gods is frowned on in todays society. The concept however remians the same, before leaving port, ships are blessed and given a name.

The ceremony sorounding the Christening of a new ship is considered an important event. Captains and ship owners take pride in the event, and with the dangers faced at sea, few dare to take to the sea in a ship that has not been Christened. Even many agnostics follow the practice regardless of their beliefs. Be it for "luck" or a divine blessing upon the vessel, the tradition remains.

Signing your creation:

For your ship the final inspection, touch-up paint and the addition of your final signature will complete your ship and "christen" it for service in your fleet.

Once you sign your name, do not continued to "touch-up".

As an artist you must be content to accept any imperfections, and look to any improvements with your NEXT ship build. Once you sign your name, the artwork is complete!!!

The Ship Sets Sail!!!

Send me photos of your build, I would love to see your completed project, and with your permission I will upload the ship for others to enjoy.

Part 12 will be reserved for display of your completed ships projects. Be the first to send me pictures of your ship, include a description of the ship, and any details you would like to share about yourself for other readers.

Thank you for following along, and please add your name to my followers, and stay tuned for future posting.

John T Cusack

http://www.battlefieldhobbies.org/