Colonial Sloop Norfolk - Release December 2009

The sloop Norfolk was built on Norfolk Island under Commandant John Townson's orders in 1798. Towson intention was to improve communication links with Port Jackson. The 25 ton sloop contructed from Norfolk Island pine was not a substantional craft, being about 35 feet (10.6m) in length and 11 feet (3.3m) in the beam.

Upon her maiden voyage across the Tasman Sea the Norfolk leaked badly. When the sloop arrived at Port Jackson, Governor Hunter, who did not approve of boat building on Norfolk Island, confiscated the craft. Hunter was the person to give her the name Norfolk.

Governor Hunter ordered the Norfolk to be fitted out so that it could be lent to Bass and Flinders. He wanted to prove, once and for all, the existence of a strait between the mainland and Van Diemen's Land. He proposed that Bass and Flinders undertake a three month voyage of discovery during which time they were to circumnavigate Van Diemen's Land (named Tasmania after 1856). Flinders and Bass were under orders to pass through the strait and return by the south of Van Diemen's Land.

Matthew Flinders (1774-1814) navigator, hydrographer and scientist, was born on 16 March 1774 at Donington, Lincolnshire, England. Instead of following his father and grandfathers footsteps in becoming doctors, he embarked on a life of adventure and exploration. Flinders arrived in Port Jackson aboard the Reliance on 7th September 1795. Also aboard on this voyage was George Bass (1771-1803?), surgeon and sailor, who was born on 30 January 1771 at Aswarby in Lincolnshire, England. The two young men both shared a great interest in navigation and maritime exploration. Bass was also a keen naturalist and made detailed studies of animals he encountered among his voyages.

The Norfolk was a small craft for such an extended voyage as proposed by Governor Hunter. Flinders, Captain, George Bass, and there eight crew departed Port Jackson on the 7 October 1798. They had been allowed twelve weeks for the voyages. In her they completed the first circumnavigation of Van Diemen's Land.

They made many important discoveries on this voyage. On the north coast of Van Dieman's Land they spent time exploring Port Dalrymple, the future site of Launceston. On Christmas day the climbed Mount Wellington which now overlooks Hobart, Tasmania's capital. The Norfolk sailed back into Port Jackson on the 12 January, 1799. Governor Hunter, upon Flinders recommendation, named the newly discovered passage, Bass Strait.

The Norfolk again departed Port Jackson on the 7 July 1799. George Bass did not accompany Captain Flinders on this voyage; instead he was accompanied by his young brother Samuel. Bass did not travel on this voyage, suffering from ill health. This time the Norfolk was heading north to explore the Glass-house (Moreton Bay) and Hervey's Bay (Queensland), of which entrances were only known. They arrived back in Port Jackson, 20 August, 1799.

In October 1800, the Norfolk departed for the Hawkesbury River. It was to collect a cargo of grain to supply Port Jackson. The Norfolk was seized by 15 convicts in Broken Bay at the mouth of the Hawkesbury River. The convicts sailed north, running into a storm. Attempting to shelter in Coal River (Hunter River) they only succeeded in wrecking her (November 1800) at Pirate point. This is now known as Stockton opposite Newcastle.

Six of the escaped convicts ran into the bush, and were not heard of again. The others took a small boat and went to sea but were soon recaptured. Two were hanged, and seven sent to Norfolk Island. Much later it was learned that those who went bush got to Port Stephens. Sick and hungry three decided to give themselves up and started walking to Sydney. They surrendered upon meeting Lt James Grant at Pittwater in Lady Nelson.

The sloop Norfolk had a short 2 1/2 years life but a very eventful one for the Colony at a critical time, providing superior service.

How to build the HM Cutter Mermaid

The following video clip is a short sequence from Modellers Shipyard DVD on How to Build the HM Cutter Mermaid. The complete DVD is over 3 hours of narration & demonstration by Master Period Model Ship Builder Leon Griffiths. The DVD shows the modeller every step in building the hull, deck furniture and rigging of the model. The lessons demonstrated are applicable to the building of other period ship models. Leon presents each step of the Mermaid's construction demonstrating his many model ship building tips and techniques. To purchase the full DVD set and view others in our range visit www.modelshipyard.com.au

Modeller of the Month - June 2009 - Bede Masters

Model ship building is a craft as old as the construction of ships itself. From Ancient times ships have had very important roles, the most obvious being transportation and the collecting of provisions.

The vessels of Ancient times provided technologically advanced means of extended travel which was economical, practical and vital to the development of societies.

Ships were also built for warfare purposes providing a method of protecting land from invaders. As ships held a great deal of significance to the people of the Ancient world they expressed this through the creation of models.

Ancient Egyptian cultures created model ships to place in the burial chambers of loved ones believing that the ornaments would assist in the afterlife. Model ships were also created as ornamental house displays, Art works and toys.

The construction of model ships has survived from Ancient traditions to the present day. Model ships are created for many of the same reasons and have become a worldwide past time.

One such shipwright to continue this tradition is Bede Masters. Bede began the model of the Port Jackson Schooner around 12 to 14 months ago and has recently completed the model.

Bede, proud of his finished product as any modeller would know, has the Port Jackson Schooner on display in his home just like Ancient traditions.

Bede a woodworking enthusiast was introduced to the world of model ship building by a book that his granddaughter gave him. From the book to the internet to Modeller’s Shipyard, Bede found a hobby in which he could use his wood working skills to good effect.

It was lucky that model ship building found Bede; he was trying to find a hobby that would occupy his mind without having to stand for long periods of time.

“I can’t stand for long which began to make woodworking difficult. With model ship building I can sit and work at my own pace.” Bede said.

Bede recalls his modelling experience with the Port Jackson Schooner and said that while it was enjoyable and interesting he felt that the learning involved was a large part of model creating. With model ship building putting the theory into practice is not always an easy task.

“I made mistakes on this model that I will remember not to make on the next one. I made mistakes that I didn’t change and they haven’t altered the appearance but I know where they are.” Bede said of his first model making experience.

Bede’s advice to anyone taking up the hobby or even still progressing would be to find out how to use the equipment and techniques before applying to the model as practicing will improve the quality of the finished product.

Bede admits that he is not a patient man by nature and had a tendency to rush the processes involved with his model ship. Bede said that model ship making has shown him the importance of patience.

“Model ship building has taught me patience and has kept my mind active. It’s great fun, enjoyable and quite pleasing when you finish a stage; this pushes you to finish the model.” Bede said.

Like with most modellers’ one model is not enough and Bede hopes to build the Cutty Sark which is a clipper ship built in 1869. The etymology of the name Cutty Sark is humorous in its origins as Cutty Sark meant undergarment and was made popular through the poem by author Robert Burns. Today the ship is maintained in the dry dock in Greenwich, London.

Model making is very popular and stems back throughout history, by creating model ships old traditions are being kept alive.

Modeller of the Month - May 2009 - Michael Butcher

“When your hobbies get in the way of your work – that’s ok; but when your hobbies get in the way of themselves… well…” - Steve Martin

A general consensus appears to be that when you retire you do not fall into a state of relaxation and spend all your time doing what you thought you would while you were busy working.

Rather it seems that instead of relaxing by the pool with a good drink and something good to read, retirement is spent indulging in a hobby. Such hobbies can create more work than a full time job.

One such hobby enthusiast is Michael Butcher who has spent many years building and researching his favourite pastime – the creating of model ships.

Michael is a Master Mariner FG who left the sea in 1961 to pursue a career ashore, eventually retiring from his position as a company executive in 1992. He formed his own consultancy business but, in 1999, Michael needed a practical way of occupying his spare time and he decided he couldn’t spend his retirement doing nothing.

“After you spend so much time being busy it is hard to just stop completely,” Michael said. As a young boy during WWII Michael crafted balsa wood models, mainly of aircraft. It was an obvious option for him to put the skills he had learned in his youth to use in retirement. With a hobby like model ship building there is always room to improve and refine the skills required to create these magnificent master pieces.

Every modeller has a preference to the type of ships they create. Whether the ships belong to a certain period, have special purposes, or a certain style - a modeller will try to make as many of their favourites as possible.

Michael is no exception to the modelling rule - he has a collection of fifteen static model ships and is currently working on his sixteenth, the Amerigo Vespucci. The models which Michael initially constructed were eighteenth and nineteenth century sailing vessels with their intricate details on deck and interesting decorative gilding. Now he has a leaning toward clipper ships “I particularly like the sleek lines of the hulls of these vessels.” Michael said.

Of course he finds the task of choosing a favourite difficult - after all there are many to choose from. However Michael after careful consideration comes to the conclusion that his favourite model would have to be the Roger. B. Taney. But wait, no, maybe it is the Thermopylae; after all it is a good looking model - Michael reconsiders. No, no maybe it would have to be the older model of the very neat Bomb Ketch.

Perhaps that wasn’t a fair question for a man with so many models.

Then again another of Michael’s favourites would have to be the Victory. He speaks of this model with fondness, perhaps it is because this particular model has a very interesting story. Michael won this model in a competition on the gardening program Burke’s Backyard- following Don Burke’s visit to the ship in Portsmouth in 2004.

“What an excellent way to commemorate the bicentenary of the Battle of Trafalgar in 2005,” Michael recalls.

Michael received the Victory kit and built the model, donating the completed ship to Retina Australia. The Victory was auctioned for $5500 – raising quite a bit of money indeed!

Michael’s advice to fellow modellers would be the importance of research. Through researching the particular model you are building gives the modeller the history, the story and more understanding of the ship. The more research the better the finished model will be. Michael said that he always begins with the colours of the ships.

“I research colours and how they were painted. What the ships were used for, anything I can find out makes the finished product that much better,” Michael said.

When one takes up a hobby like model ship building, there are plenty of things to learn and a vast amount of information to aid the process. Model ship building is a well known and highly regarded pastime. Michael believes that is it important to take up a hobby that is interesting and enjoyable.

“It doesn’t matter what hobby you embark on as long as you find something you can enjoy,” Michael said.

When you find a hobby you take pleasure in, immersing yourself in every facet of that hobby makes it more enjoyable. Model ship building is a great hobby because in the end you have a beautiful model which you built with your own hands.