From:
Joshua Humphreys' Letter Book, 1793 - 1787
pages 99 - 112
additional reference:
American State Papers, Volume I, Paper Number 2,
pp.10-13.
Washington: Gales and Seaton, 1834.
Materials
Hull Construction
Treenails
- For the bottom, of the best heart locust, to drive after a one
inch and three-eighths auger; for the wales and upper works, to
drive after a one inch and a quarter auger; to be all planes to
a moot, and not suffered to be overhauled afterwards.
Keel
Of good sound white oak, in three pieces; the middle piece to
be not less than thirty (eighty) feet, if to be had; scarfs not
less than twelve feet, to be kept clear of the main and fore steps;
sided in the amidships eighteen inches; at the stem and post seventeen
inches, and as deep as can be had; the scarfs all to be tabled
and bolted with five bolts, one and one-eighth inches diameter;
false keel six inches thick; but not to be put on until after
the floor and keelson bolts are driven and riveted.
Keelson
Sided eighteen inches amidships, and sixteen inches fore and after
end, and sixteen inches deep; scrafs not within fifteen feet of
keel-scrafs, or main or foremast steps; upper keelson eighteen
by fifteen inches deep, to be hooked and joggled into the lower
one, all fore and aft; scarfs clear of all other scarfs at least
ten feet, to be bolted with one and three-eighth inch bolts through
every timber, and one in every cross-chock of one and one-eighth
inches diameter.
Stem
In two pieces, if to be had; the lower one of good white oak,
sided seventeen inches, and moulded not less than twelve inches
clear of the rabbet; scarfs not less than four feet, to be tabled
and bolted with three bolts, one and one-eighth inches in diameter.
Apron
Sided from twenty-eight to thirty inches at the upper end; and
as the piece will work below, moulded at the upper end fourteen
inches, and at the lower end seventeen inches.
Stemson
Of live oak, sided seventeen inches,
and moulded ten inches, to shift the scarfs of stem and apron
to reach the upper deck breast hook.
Stern Post
Eighteen inches square at the head, sided seventeen inches below
by three and a half feet fore and aft, including false post, and
ten inches thick on the aft side, at the keel, to be fitted for
a crooked headed rudder.
Inner Post
To be twelve inches, fore and aft, to run from the transom to
the keel; to be of live oak, sided at head from twenty to twenty-four
inches, and at heel twelve inches.
Night-Heads
Sided from sixteen to eighteen inches; moulded twelve inches at
head, and fourteen inches below.
Hawse-Pieces
To be four in number, (on each side) sided eighteen inches, and
to be bolted with one and one-eighth inch bolts into each other;
their heels, if possible, to run down below the lower deck breast-hook.
Bow-Timbers
Sided twelve inches, and as long as possible; their heels well
secured into the dead-wood; to be in number on each side as per
draught.
Hawse-Holes
Two on each side; fifteen inches diameter, and fourteen inches
on a square between each other.
Wing Transom
Twenty-nine feet long on the aft side; moulded and sided twenty-two
inches to round up, and aft six inches; all the others sided fourteen
inches; the lower deck transom moulded as broad as can conveniently
be had, for the better securing the ends of the deck plank; two
bolts of one and one-eighth inches diameter in the deck transom
and all above it; all below, bolted with one bolt of one and one
quarter inches diameter.
Fashion Pieces
Two pair, sided twelve inches and moulded fifteen inches on the
cant, as hereafter directed.
Dead-Wood
Forward - To secure the scarf of the stem and keel together, sided
the same as the apron at the heel; at the after end twenty-four
inches, and not less than twenty inches moulded over the scarf
of the keel, and to run sufficiently aft; Midship dead-wood 14
inches broad and nine inches thick, to run from the dead-wood
forward to the stern-post knee, well fayed on the keel.
Rabbet of the Main Keel
To be cut one inch below the upper edge; the Garboard strakes
to fay well to the dead wood all fore and aft; the dead-wood to
be tarred and papered with good, thick, substantial tarred sheathing
paper, in order to prevent the ship from sinking if she should
lose her keel.
Stern Post Knees
Two good ones; the lower one as long as possible.
Floor and Raising Timbers
Of good white oak, sided twelve and a half inches; moulded at
the floor sirmark fifteen inches, and in the throat, from the
top of the dead wood, twenty-one inches; to be bolted through
the keel with one and three-eighths inch bolts; these bolts should
be put near the side of the keel as possible, in order to give
room on the other side for the keelson bolts; one floor bolted
near the larboard side of the keel, the other on the starboard
side; the timber all to be double bolted from the foremast to
within ten feet of the mizzenmast.
Lower Futtocks
Of live oak, sided twelve inches in the midship and something
smaller at the fore and after ends of the ship, to butt against
the side of the dead-wood amidships; to have cross-chocks fayed
on the dead-wood, and their heels to be bolted through the keelson
and keel with one and one-eighth inch bolts.
Middle and Upper Futtocks and Top Timbers
Sided eleven and a half inches; top-timbers moulded at the gunwale
seven inches; at the port sill nine inches; all the other timber
sized by a diminishing line from the port sill to the floor sirmark
(which is 15 inches).
Timbers, framed - Floor timbers, lower futtocks, middle
and upper, and top timbers, all to be framed in frames, and bolted
with three bolts one and one-eighth inch square in each scarph,
except the lower futtocks and floors, which should have one and
one-fourth inch bolts. These timbers must be faced fair and true:
for if they are not out of winding, it will be impossible to level
the timbers with any truth.
Main Wales
six strakes on each side, seven inches thick and ten inches wide.
Black Strakes
five in number. The first and second, five and one-half inches
thick; the third, five and one fourth; the fourth, five inches;
and the fifth, four and one-half inches thick, by ten inches wide;
the upper edge of the black strake to be mitered down to a level,
in order to carry the water out of the seam; plank between the
black strake and the string, to be three and one-half inches thick.
Thick Work Under the Wales
first strake six inches thick and second, five and one-half inches;
third, of five inches; and fourth, of four and one-half inches;
running plank, in the bottom, four inches thick; to be not less
than six feet scarf, nor less than four strakes between every
two butts on the same timber; the seams to be made all a little
out gauged, and great care must be taken to bevel both edges of
the plank that comes together alike: for, if one edge is hewn
standing, the other must be under, which makes bad work, the plank
with the under beveling will caulk off.
Bilge Strakes Outside
one, of six inches thick;
two, of five and one-half ditto;
two, of four end one-half ditto
on each side, the middle strake to cover the butts of the timbers
equally inside and out, to be reduced, fore and after ends, the
same as the running plank.
Inside Work - Hold and
Lower Deck
Limber Strake
two on each side, six inches
thick, and fourteen inches wide.
Bilge Strakes
Three on each side, 6 inches thick and 14 inches wide, to
bolted through the outside bilge strake, in every third timber,
with one inch bolts.
Running Ceiling Plank
four inches thick.
Lower Deck Clamps
two strakes on each side, five inches thick, and one strake
four and one-half inches, all hooked and joggled into each other,
with hooks not less than two inches, reduced at fore and after
ends.
Steps of Masts
the fore step to be placed between two breast hooks; the main
step to be left so as to be set either forward or aft, as occasion
may require; mizzen step to be two crotches, the arms of which
ought to be run up as high as possible.
Pillars or Stanchions
three tier under the gun deck, and one under the upper deck,
made to shift.
Breast Hooks
of live oak, five in the hold, including the deck hooks, from
eighteen to twenty feet long, if to be had, and bolted in every
timber with bolts of one and one fourth inch in diameter, as well
as through the stem; and two between decks, secured as above,
the deck breast hooks moulded as broad as possible, in order to
give good hold for the deck plank.
Transom or Buttock Riders
two on each side, under the lower deck, eighteen feet long,
and sided twelve inches, bolted in every other timber with one
and one-eighth inch bolts.
Diagonal Riders
six pair on each side, in the three principal pieces, with
two shorter ones to complete the pair, tabled and bolted together
with six iron bolts one and one-fourth inch square in each scarf,
and three in the short pieces to be bolted thought the bottom
plank, at every two feet, with one and one-eighth inch copper
bolts, the two midship ones to butt against each other; the foremost
of the two amidships riders to be cut with a bird's mouth, and
to fit under the eighth beam from forward; the after one of the
midship ones to be cut and fixed in the same manner under the
eighth beam from aft the other riders, to be the distance of two
beams apart, and fitted in the same manner, to be kept the same
distance aft and forward at heel, as they are at the head, to
be tenoned and bolted into the keelson.
Inside Work - Orlop
Deck
Orlop deck
to be laid six feet two inches below the upper part of the lower
deck; beams of the best heart pitch pine, sided twelve inches,
and moulded ten inches, laid with two inch common plank, kneed
with one good live oak knee at each end, bolted with inch bolts;
it will be best to put the clamps on the ceiling three inches
thick.
Inside Work - Lower
Deck or Berth Deck
Lower Deck Beams
of the best heart pitch pine, sided sixteen inches, and moulded
fourteen inches; the longest beam to spring six inches, and the
rest by the same mould.
(Lower Deck) Lodging Knees
sided ten inches, body to reach the next beam and arm six feet
hooked into the beam; to lay two inches below the upper edge of
the beam for the water ways, and thick stuff to joggle down, to
be bolted with seven bolts one and one-fourth inch diameter.
(Lower Deck) Dagger Knees
sided eleven inches, body nine feet long, and arm seven feet,
the arm hooked into the beam, and bolted with eight one and one-fourth
inch diameter bolts.
(Lower Deck) Transom Knees
sided twelve inches, body ten and one-half feet long, arm seven
feet, and bolted with thirteen bolts one and one-fourth inch diameter.
(Lower Deck) Carling
in three tier, six by nine inches, of white oak.
(Lower Deck) Ledges
five by six inches, two between each beam.
(Lower Deck) Mast Carlings (and Gun Deck)
for the main and foremast, ten by thirteen inches, to be kneed
with four good knees; mizzen carling six by twelve inches, and
kneed in the same manner; all of which pieces to be of live oak,
and bolted with inch bolts and seven-eighth bolts; gun deck carlings
the same size, and secured in the same manner.
(Lower Deck) Spar Beams (and Gun Deck)
one of live oak on each side of the main hatch, tabled, kneed,
and bolted, on the fore side of the beam, on the after part of
the main hatch, twelve inches by fourteen; and for gun deck the
same.
(Lower Deck) Solid Waterways (and Gun Deck and Upper Deck)
of good long substantial white oak, worked with a faint hollow,
rabbeted one and one-quarter inch above the deck, allowing two
inches to be let down upon the beams; a good six inch oak strake
joggled two inches into the edge of the waterway, and into and
over the beams and ledges for the gun deck; a five and one-half
inch strake for the lower deck, and a five inch strake for the
upper deck, all joggled in the same way, and bolted through the
side every four feet, and through every beam, with one and one-eighth
inch bolts, upper deck with inch bolts.
(Lower Deck) Thick Strakes
on lower deck - two strakes of white oak plank, five and one-half
inches thick, and not less than ten inches wide, bolted and joggled
into each other, and over and into the beams and ledges two inches,
running all fore and aft along side of the hatches; two other
strakes on each side, fitted as above, midway between the waterways
and hatch strakes, a long white oak knee to be fayed at the end
of each pair, to be joggled over two beams, well bolted to the
bow and stem with one and 1/8 inch bolts; and two other white
oak knees, to run from the mizzenmast to the stern post, joggled
over and into each beam, to be let down on the beams sufficient
for the ledges to frame into them; one other to reach from the
stem to the foremast, worked in the same manner; the arm part
of each knee to be well bolted through the stern and post with
one and one-fourth inch bolts.
Lower Deck Plank
to be three inches and one-half thick, of the best heart pitch
pine, clear of all defects whatever.
Lower Deck Spirketting
two strakes on each side on lower deck, five inches thick, hooked
and joggled into each other, fitting in plank between the list
and clamps four inches thick.
Lower Deck Standard Knees
twelve on each side on the lower deck, one to be fayed over each
beam, the diagonal riders come under, and the others placed amidships,
sided thirteen inches, body to reach the upper edge of gun deck
clamps, the arm six feet long, and bolted with eight bolts one
and one fourth inch diameter.
Inside Work - Gun Deck
Gun Deck Clamps
two strakes on each side, five inches thick, and one of four and
one-half inches, joggled into each other two inches.
Gun Deck Beams
one under each port, and one between of the best heart pitch pine,
as near as the hatchways and masts will admit, as per draught,
sided 18 inches, moulded 15 inches all other beams to be laid
directly over and under the same.
Gun Deck Lodging Knees
Sided ten inches, body to reach the next beam, arm six feet long,
bolted with seven bolts of one inch and a quarter diameter (hooked
and joggled into the beam).
(Gun Deck) Hanging Knee
Seven feet body and six feet arm, sided eleven inches, bolted
with eight bolts one inch and a quarter diameter; the arms of
all knees to be hooked and joggled into their respective beams.
Gun Deck Transom Knees
Sided twelve inches, body twelve feet long, arm seven feet, bolted
with twelve bolts one inch and a quarter diameter.
(Gun Deck) Carlings
In three tiers, six by nine inches, of white oak.
(Gun Deck) Ledges
Five by six inches, of white oak, two between each beam.
(Gun Deck) Plank
Four inches thick, six feet from the side, of the best white oak,
clear of all sap and other defects
whatever, the rest to be laid of the best heart pitch pine, clear
of all other defects whatever.
(Gun Deck) Spirketting
To reach the port sill, and five inches thick; all scarfs should
be kept clear of the ports; sill all butts well shifted.
(Gun Deck) Filling-in Plank
Between the spirketting and clamps three inches thick.
Wing Transom Knees
Sided thirteen inches, body fourteen feet long, and arm eight
feet, bolted with fourteen bolts, one inch and a quarter diameter.
(Gun Deck) Thick Strakes
On the gun deck two strakes white oak plank six inches thick,
and not less than ten inches wide, bolted and joggled into each
other, and over and into the beams and ledges two inches, running
all fore and aft along side of the hatches. Two other strakes
on each side, fitted as above, midway between the water way and
hatch strakes.
Counter Timbers - Of live oak, sided at the lower part
of the windows and heel eleven inches, at the upper end six inches,
to be filled in from the lower part of the window to the wing
transom with red cedar, except in the wake of the gun room ports.
Seat Transom - Across the stern, the height of the (upper)
port sill to be joggled into the counter timbers, nine inches
thick, and kneed at each end with one iron knee, to fay all along
under the gallery door, and long enough to receive three bolts
before it of one inch diameter, the thwartship arm four feet,
to be bolted with three bolts, one inch diameter.
Inside Work - Upper
Deck or Spar Deck
(Spar Deck) Clamps - Two strakes on each side, four inches thick,
hooked and joggled into each other.
(Spar Deck) Beams - Placed over the gun deck beams, sided
thirteen and fourteen inches, and moulded, of the best heart pitch
pine.
Quarter Deck Transom
Ten by ten, one knee at each end, sided eight inches, body and
arm six feet, and bolted with eight bolts one inch diameter.
(Spar Deck) Lodging Knees
Sided seven inches and a half, body to reach the next beam, arm
five to four feet and a half, hooked and joggled into every beam,
and bolted with seven bolts one inch diameter.
(Spar Deck) Hanging Knees
Sided eight inches, body six feet and a half long, and arm five
feet, bolted with eight bolts one inch diameter (and hooked and
joggled into the beams).
(Spar Deck) Carlings
Three tiers, except where the long coamings are five by eight
inches, white oak.
(Spar Deck) Ledges
Four and a half by six, white oak, two between each beam.
(Spar Deck) Mast Coamings
To be of good white oak as well as the hatch coamings; those of
the main and foremast should be at least six inches clear of the
mast all round, in order to give room for the mast to play, and
more particularly for heaving down; the mizzen partners need not
exceed three inches clear.
(Spar Deck) Plank for deck
Three inches thick, five feet of which must be laid with oak from
the side, the rest of the best heart pitch pine plank.
Long Coamings
Of heart pitch pine, ten by seventeen inches, to be kept wide
enough apart to take down the boat and room alongside for the
men to pass from the gun to the upper deck.
Leaden Scuppers
On each side on the gun deck, cut elliptical, four by six.
Cable Bits
Two pairs, of good tough strong white oak, twenty two inches square,
and to taper below the lower deck beams to sixteen inches (deep)
crosspieces to be twenty two inches fore and aft, twenty inches
deep, to have a standard knee against each bit, sided fourteen
inches, to run forward over three beams and scored down over each
two inches, the arm to run to the opposite side of the cross piece.
Catheads
Sided twenty inches and moulded eighteen inches.
Drifts
Quarter deck and Forecastle drifts, fourteen inches wide and three
and a half inches thick.
Flush drift, twelve inches wide and four inches thick.
String or first molding strake above the ports, fourteen inches
wide, and four and a half inches thick.
Measurements
| Feet | inch | |
| Length of the gun deck, from the rabbet of stem to post, | 174 | 10 1/2 |
| Length of the keel for tonnage, allowing three-fifths of beam from twelve inches before the rabbet of the stem at the breadth line from the point where the three-fifths strike on the keel, to the rabbet of the post, | 145 | 00 |
| Moulded breadth of beam in the extreme part of the ship, which is at the upper edge of the second wale, and three and a half feet before the thirds of the keel, or one hundred feet two inches before the rabbet of the post | 43 | 06 |
| Height of the wing transom, above the rabbet of the keel | 25 | 08 1/2 |
| Height of the lower deck transom, above the rabbet of the keel | 20 | 09 |
| Top sides tumble home amidships, at the under part of midship plank-sheer, or covering board | 3 | 00 |
| Height of the lower deck, in the side above the rabbet, at | 16 | 11 |
| Plank on lower deck beams | 3 1/2 | |
| Height between gun and lower deck | 6 | 04 |
| Gun deck plank | 04 | |
| Height between decks, from gun to upper deck | 7 | 00 |
| Upper deck plank | 3 | |
| Waist amidships | 3 | |
| Plank-sheer or covering board | 4 1/2 | |
| To top of plank sheer | 31 | 09 |
| Height amidships of lower edge of the wale | 17 | 11 |
| Six strakes of wales, ten inches wide, are | 5 | 00 |
| Height from the top of the wale to port still | 3 | 03 1/2 |
| Height of the port | 2 | 11 |
| Height from the top of the port to the top of the plank-sheer, | 2 | 7 1/2 |
| Height from top of rabbet to top of the plank-sheer, is | 31 | 09 |
| Depth in the hold, taken from the strake next the limber strake | 14 | 03 |
| Ports | ||
| Height of the port sills on the quarter-deck and forecastle | 1 | 10 |
| on the gun deck, | 2 | 04 |
| up and down, | 2 | 11 |
| fore and aft, | 3 | 05 |
| distance between the ports, | 7 | 05 |
| after port, aft side, before the rabbet of the post, | 6 | 04 |
| Fifteen ports on each side, besides the bridle or bow ports, if any | ||
|
Height of gun deck on the post, from
a square line above the rabbit of the keel |
27 | 00 |
| Height of gun deck on the stem, from a square line above the rabbet of the keel | 24 | 10 |
| Dead rising at two-fifths of the beam, for the breadth of the floor | 2 | 9 |
| Room and space | 2 | 02 |
| Height of the breadth line, this line is the upper edge of the second wale, from below all fore and aft. | ||
| amidships, | 19 | 6 |
| on the stem, | 23 | 8 |
| on the transom | 25 | 7 1/2 |
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