Matthew Turner: Update

rigger on foremast platform

electric motor w/ drive shaft

yardarm fittings @work

     The brigantine Matthew Turner is about to get the last section of mast put in place this Thursday.  The fore topmast will be lifted into position with exacting precision.  It is a difficult operation_ the piece must be threaded through the foremast top band and raised into position, then held until the base foot is stepped against the lower section.  When it has been properly stepped, the riggers will spring to life and start the process of attaching all the stay cables: shrouds, fore stays, back stays, and all the running rigging hardware at the deck and at the platform position.
      The steel gang has been hard at work, making the numerous fittings needed to hold everything above decks in place.  All the running rigging hardware has had to be made because of the unique character of the ship and the desire to be historically accurate as much as possible,  Many components could have been purchased from mainstream dealers, but these modern elements would look out of place.   Many of the pieces were made with the help of many different workers- some remote(Van Bebbers), some close by(the Mayor), and a few on sight at the tent.    With a metal shop in one of the on site containers, welding, brazing, shaping, and painting can be done easily.  Even some machining can be done under the tent.   Braiding cable is also done here near the welding shop where volunteers have rigged a scaffolding to hold the cable horizontally while it is being covered with protective elements.
     When the fore top is in place, the ship will definitely have the look that has taken the crew almost 4 full years to accomplish.   Big Christmas Gala at the Bay Model of Army Corps of Engineer's building, Friday, Dec. 1.