Rigging the Constitution – final

In my last post I stated that I had been rigging the 1:93 model USS Constitution for a month.

On reviewing my posts I see that I have actually been doing the rigging for THREE months. How time flies when you are having fun.

But it (the rigging) is now finished, except for one or two tiny jobs.

I took some photos to mark the stage, and some follow. Since then I have installed the gunport covers. Then I have to make a permanent stand and case. Then it will be finished.

USS Constitution is reported to have had 64km/40miles of hemp rope in its rigging. At 1:93 that equates to 688 meters. Based on the number of times that I made model rope on my rope run, I can believe it.

However, the actual number of meters of model rope would be less than 688m, because I chose to not install sails or the sail ropes. I installed just the standing rigging (black) and running rigging natural hemp colour, to control the spars. But at a guess, those would have been around half or more of the ropes.

My Constitution as it was yesterday. My desk has not been that clean for a year. Gunport covers are now in place.

Foremast top. With a scale model figure (actually 1:87 so it is slightly too big). I chose to not paint the ship model, but just one coat of polyurethrane.

Drone view
The bow and a figure in the head. He still has his pants on. There are 4 figures but one fell into the hold and cannot be retrieved.
Not 688m, but there are a lot of ropes and cables.

The ship’s boats were not as supplied. I built them separately. See previous post. (https://johnsmachines.com/2024/09/01/constitutions-small-boats/ and sequelae)

More ship’s boats. 5 altogether. And 20 carronades on the spar deck. I might get around to fitting gun breech ropes later. I wont be fitting gun positioning blocks and tackle at this scale.
I read that rudders were not fitted to the ship’s boats because of the risk of losing them. They were fitted only when in use. This is a 32′ barge. It would also have carried at least one mast and a sail, and 14 oars.
2 spare anchors were lashed amidship, and a 34′ launch, and small dinghy lashed on the spar deck. (The gunports look more complete with covers since this photo was taken.)
Yes, it is complex. But there is logic, and repetitive patterns about which I became increasingly aware as the job progressed. I like this shot.
The boat hanging off the transom is a 28′ pinnace. A bit leaky at present.

In a battle the boats were cast adrift and retrieved later. That reduced the risk to the crew of splinters, and removed obstructions to some of the guns.

Also in a battle the transom gun ports were opened and guns wheeled into those positions.

I have US flags from the period ~1814. With stripes and 14 stars. Not yet fitted. Feeling a bit ambivalent to be honest. Maybe when the current POTUS departs.