A Revival of Traditional Wooden Ship Framing
Here's a high-paced timelapse clip of the construction and raising of Ceiba's second frame. After many days of sawing and shaping under the shade of a nearby Cashew tree, all 12 pieces of the frame were assembled on the staging deck.
The particular nature of this project is sourcing materials without intermediaries. When we saw our frames, this is an essential prerequisite; we are going against the flow of forestry industry customs by keeping natural tree curves while selecting the logs – an unpopular task amongst lumberjackers.
Silas assembling Frame no. 48 upon the framing stage. Photo by Danielle Doggett
“When we saw our frames, this is an essential prerequisite; we are going against the flow of forestry industry customs by keeping natural tree curves while selecting the logs – an unpopular task amongst lumberjackers.”
All around the shipyard, tremendous piles of Spanish Cedar are slowly drying. They've been here for a year, sheltered from rain and sun under sheets of roofing tin shining in the sun. The bulks have a quiet strength, ready to step into the ring. Buckie, our everyday hauling vehicle, has the privilege of waking it up by scattering the first slabs. Then the shipwrights, templates in hands, buckle down to reconstitute the frame puzzle. Knowing that one frame contains a dozen overlapping arcs, it is a fine art of selection.
“Knowing that one frame contains a dozen overlapping arcs, it is a fine art of selection.”
Frame no. 48 beginning to become airborne. Photo by Danielle Doggett
The first frame airborne in the early morning sun at the shipyard. Photo by Danielle Doggett
Frame 48 vertical, as it is being fixed to supporting mast-posts. Photo by Danielle Doggett
JT high on the ladder, shoring up frame number 48. Photo by Danielle Doggett
A month ago, a 90 year-old Tilting Shipsaw found abandoned in a brownfield site in Victoria, Canada landed at the yard; barely more than a half rusted scraphead. Since then, the four meter high machine stands again in the air. In a few weeks it will join the handful of remaining shipsaws of this type operating in both Americas; a tall order that will allow us to saw the twisted surfaces of the frames with unparelleled efficiency. In short, it will be a nod towards the bygone splendid times of wooden ship building.
“In short, it will be a nod towards the bygone splendid times of wooden ship building.”
Lynx orchestrating the raising of the second frame, number 47. Photo by Danielle Doggett.
Waiting for the valuable machine, the frames are released through chainsaws and refined with planers under the shade of an evergreen tree, one of the few with leaves remaining after three months of perfect dry weather; the Anacarde, which gives an abundance of cashew nuts and fruits. It will provide a cosy shade to saw the frames untill the rainy season. The first sawyers soon raise an outcry against some kind of chemical attack; the repugnant bitter taste of the cedar sawdust, revealing its best defence against termites – an attractive feature for a tropical water wooden ship.
“The first sawyers soon raise an outcry against some kind of chemical attack; the repugnant bitter taste of the cedar sawdust, revealing its best defence against termites – an attractive feature for a tropical water wooden ship.”
Two frames upright and in place. Photo by Danielle Doggett
The 3rd frame of Ceiba being hoisted into place, number 46. Photo by Danielle Doggett
3 frames in place under the tropical sun. Photo by Danielle Doggett
“The whole frame will be fused using big wooden trunnels (or tree nails) inserted at different angles through the frames and locked in place with tiny wedges, struck hard at both ends.”
Then the dozen pieces are sent to the deck, astern above the keel, for the final assembly. The main lines of the frame have been reproduced on the working surface and will enable fine adjustment of the different curves. Beforehand, every internal face will be carefully spread with the fiendishly sticky tar to avoid any future water infiltration; a true Damocles Sword for any wooden hull. The whole frame will be fused using big wooden trunnels (or tree nails) inserted at different angles through the frames and locked in place with tiny wedges, struck hard at both ends. Soon after, the frame will be hoisted into the air.
Next in line - aerial view of framing stage with the 4th frame (no.45), waiting to be completed and raised behind the first 3 frames already in place. Photo by Danielle Doggett
Thank you to Adrien for all his incredible hard work, knowledge and skill, and most of all, his hilarious sense of humour and unique character. An uplifting member of the shipyard - we will miss you!
If you are interested in helping us continue to reach our goals with the construction of Ceiba and see this beautiful tallship enter the Pacific on schedule, consider becoming an investor and get in touch with us TODAY - simply click the button below to find out more.
Our project is funded entirely by people like you becoming shareholders through investing. Support the change you wish to see in the world by getting involved with us here @SAILCARGO INC.
Together, we can #SeaShippingChange
A Revival of Traditional Wooden Ship Framing
Adrien was fascinated how the shipyard is independent of industrial intermediaries and how traditional skills are being saved and passed on. He describes how the ancient technique of framing is fading into obscurity, but this rare process is brought back to life here at SAILCARGO.
La particularité de ce chantier est de sourcer ses matériaux sans intermédiaires. Pour la taille des membrures c’est un prérequi indispensable. Aussi, nous allons à contre-courant des usages sylvicoles (tâche peu commode parmi la gent bûcheronne) en conservant les courbes naturelles de l’arbre lors du choix des fûts.
Silas assembling Frame no. 48 upon the framing stage. Photo by Danielle Doggett
“Pour la taille des membrures c’est un prérequi indispensable. Aussi, nous allons à contre-courant des usages sylvicoles (tâche peu commode parmi la gent bûcheronne) en conservant les courbes naturelles de l’arbre lors du choix des fûts.”
Tout autour du terrain, les importants empilements de cèdre espagnol sèchent lentement depuis plus d’un an à l’abri du soleil et de la pluie sous de fines tôles comme une force tranquille prête à entrer dans l’arène. C’est Buckie, notre engin de traction de tous les jours, qui aura le privilège de la réveiller en dispersant les premiers plateaux. Puis c’est le cortège des charpentiers de marines gabarits en main qui s’attèle à reconstituer le puzzle de la première membrure (structure transversale à la quille du navire). Sachant qu’une contient environ une douzaine de cintres se chevauchant les uns avec les autres, c’est finalement tout un art de sélection qu’il faut déployer.
“Sachant qu’une contient environ une douzaine de cintres se chevauchant les uns avec les autres, c’est finalement tout un art de sélection qu’il faut déployer.”
Frame no. 48 beginning to become airborne. Photo by Danielle Doggett
The first frame airborne in the early morning sun at the shipyard. Photo by Danielle Doggett
Frame 48 vertical, as it is being fixed to supporting mast-posts. Photo by Danielle Doggett
JT high on the ladder, shoring up frame number 48. Photo by Danielle Doggett
Une scie à ruban orientable, délaissé pendant 90 années, chinée dans une friche industrielle de Victoria débarquait un mois plus tôt ; guère plus qu’un tas de ferraille à moitié rouillé. Depuis les quatre mètres de machine se tiennent à nouveau debout et dans quelques semaines elle rejoindra peut être la poignée de scie à ruban restante de ce type sur le continent américain ; un défi de taille qui permettrait, sans égal d’efficacité, de débiter les faces tors (doublement courbe) des membrures. En bref, un solide clin d’oeil aux années fastes de la charpente navale traditionnelle.
“En bref, un solide clin d’oeil aux années fastes de la charpente navale traditionnelle.”
Lynx orchestrating the raising of the second frame, number 47. Photo by Danielle Doggett.
En attendant la valeureuse, les cintres tors sont libérés grâce à la tronçonneuse et affinés aux rabots à la faveur d’une des dernières espèce d’arbre à feuillage persistant restante malgré maintenant trois mois d’aridité parfaite : l’anacarde qui donne noix de cajou à profusion. Son ombre servira de douillet couvert pour la taille jusqu’à la saison des pluies. Les premiers éplucheurs de copeaux ne tarderont pas à crier à l’attaque chimique pendant qu’un goût amer infâme envahi leurs muqueuses buccales, le cèdre dévoile là sa meilleure défense **molécule** contre les termites ; atout de taille pour un navire en eaux tropicales.
“Les premiers éplucheurs de copeaux ne tarderont pas à crier à l’attaque chimique pendant qu’un goût amer infâme envahi leurs muqueuses buccales, le cèdre dévoile là sa meilleure défense **molécule** contre les termites ; atout de taille pour un navire en eaux tropicales.”
Two frames upright and in place. Photo by Danielle Doggett
The 3rd frame of Ceiba being hoisted into place, number 46. Photo by Danielle Doggett
3 frames in place under the tropical sun. Photo by Danielle Doggett
“L’ensemble sera solidarisé à l’aide de grosses chevilles introduites de par en par à différents angles et bloquées grâce à des coins frappés en leurs extrémités...”
La douzaine de pièces est ensuite envoyée sur la plate-forme d’épure, au dessus de la quille, à la poupe pour l’assemblage final. Les lignes principales des membrures ont été reproduites sur la terrasse et permettront un ajustement précis de la membrure. Au préalable chaque face intérieure est soigneusement enduite de tar, pâte goudronnée diablement collante, pour éviter toute infiltration d’humidité à l’avenir ; réelle épée de Damocles pour les coques de bois. L’ensemble sera solidarisé à l’aide de grosses chevilles introduites de par en par à différents angles et bloquées grâce à des coins frappés en leurs extrémités, avant de rejoindre les airs dans un futur très proche.
Next in line - aerial view of framing stage with the 4th frame (no.45), waiting to be completed and raised behind the first 3 frames already in place. Photo by Danielle Doggett
Thank you to Adrien for all his incredible hard work, knowledge and skill, and most of all, his hilarious sense of humour and unique character. An uplifting member of the shipyard - we will miss you!
If you are interested in helping us continue to reach our goals with the construction of Ceiba and see this beautiful tallship enter the Pacific on schedule, consider becoming an investor and get in touch with us TODAY - simply click the button below to find out more.
Our project is funded entirely by people like you becoming shareholders through investing. Support the change you wish to see in the world by getting involved with us here @SAILCARGO INC.
Together, we can #SeaShippingChange
