HISTORY
2
HISTORY
The
Newsboy
was designed by Dennison J. Lawlor of Chelsie, Massachusetts for owners Dabney & Cunningham of Boston. Built in
Owl’s Head, Maine, at the Joshua C. Adams and Elisha Brown shipyard, the ship was launched in June 1854. She had a length of
111 feet, beam of 27 feet, and a draft of 11 feet. While designated a Brigantine, the rig is more accurately described as a hermaphro-
dite brig because there are no square sails on the main mast.
The
Newsboy
was engaged in the so-called triangular trade carrying lumber and manufactured goods from New England to the
Mediterranean, then transporting wine, oil, and fruits to the West Indies, then back to New England with rum, molasses, and sugar.
The
Monthly Nautical Magazine
said “having a reputation for speed , by wringing reluctant laurels from her competitors who have
chanced to fall in company with her at sea ....she does her designer no discredit....her log will speak for itself”.
The first plans and kit of the
Newsboy
were developed in 1948 by John Shedd, the original owner of Model Shipways in Bogota,
New Jersey. The design was a reconstruction based on a hull lines plan, historical notes, and copy of the ships log of 1855 which
appeared in an article in J. W. Griffith’s
Nautical Magazine and Naval Journal,
July 1856. In 1964, the model plans were redrawn by
the late English Naval Architect George Campbell with some modifications to the reconstruction and more detail for the model
builder. These plans were the last set developed by Model Shipways for the kit.
While the plans are reproduced from the 1964 version, the kit has been updated and reissued by Model Shipways, Inc. in
Hollywood, Florida, the current owner and manufacturer of Model Shipways kits. New instructions are provided along with a more
complete set of supplies for building the model. The fittings are now cast from lead-free Britannia metal and many laser-cut wood
parts have been added.
Brief History .........................................................................2
Before You Begin....................................................................3
Working With The Plans & Parts...........................................3
What You’ll Need To Start......................................................3
Painting & Staining ............................................................3-4
Stage A: Shaping the Pre-Carved Hull
1. Using the Templates ...........................................................4
2. Carving the Hull ................................................................4
3. Carving the Bulwarks......................................................4-5
4. Carving the Inside of the Stern...........................................5
Stage B: Completing the Basic Hull Structures
1. Installing the Keel, Stem & Sternpost.................................6
2. Installing the Rudder..........................................................6
3. Drilling the Larger Holes in the Hull .................................6
4. Holes to be Drilled as Work Progresses...............................6
5. Installing the Waterway, Planksheer, & Deck Planking.......6
6. Installing Bulwark Stanchions, Cap Rail, & Bow Rail ........6
Stage C: Mounting the Hull
Mounting Board with Two Pedestals ......................................7
Stage D: Adding the Hull Details
1. General Notes ....................................................................7
2. Completing the Bulwark Details .....................................7-8
3. Forward Cabin Construction ..........................................8-9
4. Aft Companionway and Skylight Construction...............8-9
5. Steering Gear Cover Box &
Steering Wheel Construction.............................................8
6. Hatches...........................................................................8-9
7. Quarter Bitts, Pump, & Binnacle....................................8-9
8. Windlass and Bowsprit Bitt.............................................8-9
9. Anchor ...............................................................................8
10. Fife Rails & Deck Eyebolts...............................................8
Stage E: General Masting & Rigging Information
1. Rigging Identification ......................................................10
2. Block, Deadeye, Bullseye, and Line Sizes..........................10
3. Sails and Sail Lines......................................................10-11
4. Applying Beeswax to the Lines .........................................12
5. Seizing Rigging Lines .......................................................12
6. Fittings & Block Strops ....................................................12
7. Rigging Tools & Belaying Lines........................................12
Stage F: Mast & Spar Construction
1. Shaping the Masts & Spars...............................................14
2. Assembling the Masts..................................................14-15
3. Shaping & Detailing the Spars .........................................15
4. Installing the Mast Assemblies..........................................15
Stage G: Standing Rigging
1. Bowsprit Rigging ........................................................16-18
2. Shrouds & Backstays...................................................16-18
3. Foremast (Head) Stays ................................................16-18
4. Mainmast Stays...........................................................16-18
5. Yard Lifts, Footropes, Stirrups, Slings & Trusses ...............18
Stage H: Running Rigging
1. Foremast Staysail Rigging ................................................20
2. Main Staysail Rigging.......................................................20
3. Spanker & Gaff Topsail Rigging.......................................20
4. Fore Course Yard Rigging.................................................21
5. Fore Lower Topsail Yard Rigging.................................21-22
6. Fore Upper Topsail Yard Rigging.................................22-23
7. Fore Topgallant & Royal Yard Rigging ........................22-23
8. Final Touches ...................................................................22
Bibliography.........................................................................23
Construction Stages & Table of Contents
Construction Stages & Table of Contents
