Copper Sheathing, Not TD related

[Dean in Ct.]

So I'm into an interesting project at work, thought you peeps might like a peek.
Was given a pallet, 80 sheets of 20 gauge (.032) 2' by 4' copper and essentially told to copper clad the keel of our whaleship, the Charles W. Morgan.


Had to build a 4' brake



Bent the first piece, the most difficult...

Put it on the back end of the keel at the sternpost

Then began working foreward


I have to do both sides then create a bunch of troughs to do the bottom surface and overlapping the lower edges of the pieces I'm working on now.
I have to say one thing about my employer. They have never given me reason to complain about the materials provided!

[tonyj]

Is that roofing tarpaper underlayment?

Interesting project. Please post update photos, and maybe a pic of the boat.

[Dean in Ct.]

Yeah, should'a thought of that!

[tonyj]

Hmm . . .you did fail to mention it is a restoration of the last wooden whaleship in the world. What an exciting project to work on.

[Fenlason]

Wow! Awesome!

[mary and bob]

We were on the Morgan at the wooden boat show last year. What's the launch date, is it still on schedule?

[Dean in Ct.]

94 working days till launch, but remember as someone here said recently, "90% done and 90% to go".
The underlayment is roofing tar then Irish Felt which is a non woven, hence felt, mixture of flax fiber and pine tar. Years ago I was told that true Irish felt was made of rabbit fur. I don't know of anyone using it outside the traditional marine industry. Covers a world of sins!
Dean

[Shadow Catcher]

As a long time Hornblower fan , it is good to see the restoration. Above my desk is an 11X14 picture of the Star of India In San Diego (steal hull sailing ship) that I shot many years ago.

[TJinPgh]

Nice project. That should get a nice patina on it in no time once it gets exposed to the salt water.

Out of curiosity, do you know where they got the copper from? Curious if it's one of our customers.

[bestclimb]

I saw an article about that ship in wooden boat magazine a while ago. I was struck by the amount of abrasion on the inside of the planking from the small gravel being sloshed side to side between the ribs. You guys have your work cut out for ya.

For those who don't know the copper is to keep marine life from growing. There are copper paints, but they need to be applied regularly. For a vessel that is difficult to dry dock copper sheet is a worthwhile investment.

I know a couple that lives aboard a very unorthodox 29 foot sail boat. They copper clad the bottom for a little bit of abrasion resistance, marine growth resistance, and ballast.

[wagondude]

Dean, You have the coolest job ever! I love it when you post up this stuff.