Essex Shipbuilding Museum, Question & Answer Section.

Q: Does anything cover up the cotton and oakum used to fill the gaps between the planks?

A: White seam compound by Petit.

Q: Is there any time when the captain of a wooden vessel should cede the right of way to a fiberglass boat?

A: Absolutely! Normal "rules of the road" still apply. The inference to the tongue-in-cheek answer to the previous question is that if ISABELLA collides with a fiberglass boat she is likely to only suffer some scraped paint, whereas if a vessel constructed with 1 1/2" thick oak planks on oversized frames and with a displacement of a few tons collides with an expensive, but barely 1/4" thick plastic hull boat...

Q: Is there anything special about the upper last few planks?

A: They are called "whales" because they are heavier than the rest of the planking (2" verses 1 1/2"). ISABELLA has a series just below the sheer. The main deck is fastened to the top of the lower whale; the foredeck is fastened to the top of the upper whale. Their purpose is to help protect the boat from fiberglass yacht owners who think they have the right of way!

Q: Is a short boat like the ISABELLA harder to plank than one like the THOMAS E. LANNON?

A: Certainly the ISABELLA at 38' has less surface area to plank than the 65' LANNON, which Harold built in 1996-97 in the Museum's shipyard, so you could say that there is less to do. However, some boats are more difficult to plank, regardless of their size. The FAME, for example, which was built in 2002-03, was much harder to plank because of the curves and twists required for her "pinky" stern.

Q: What is that blue gunk between the planks?

A: Paint. And it's blue because we didn't have any purple or pink handy by. The seams between the planks are filled with cotton and oakum caulking to keep the water out. The paint goes on afterwards to help keep the caulking in place. No need to use special, expensive paint for this job -just whatever you have around the shop.

Q: How are the planks attached to the frames?

A: Both large bronze screws and wooden trunnels ("tree nails") are used to fasten the planking to the frames. Screws are used wherever there is a particular twist in the plank (such as the back quarter). Trunnels are generally used where the plank fits "flat" against the frame.

Q: If water were to get into the boat, how is it removed? Where would a pump be placed and how does water run between the ribs to get to the pump?

A: Cement is poured up to the base of the keelson making a waterway to the sump -the lowest part in the bilge- where the pumps are located. (H. Burnham)

Q: When will the ISABELLA be launched?

A: Asking any artist when his creation will be finished is a bit like taking your life in your hands: at best you'll get an irascible, evasive answer, but more likely be dismissed out of hand and tossed out on your ear.

According to Harold, "She will be launched when she is [deleted portion] ready." (R. Robar, H. Burnham)

Q: Why is the keelson fitted after there are only 13 of the frames in place?

A: The keelson rides on top of the square frames (the ones which cross the keel) and joins into the forward and after deadwood. ISABELLA only has 13 square frames. (H. Burnham)

Q: Will traditional materials be used for the stays and shrouds?

A: The stays -wires to hold the masts up fore and aft- along with the shrouds -wires from the masts to the sides of the boat- will be rigged by Stanley Dulong, who has been rigging boats since 1936. The lower spars will be rigged with 3/8" stainless steel wire, some of which will be served in the traditional way. The topmast will be rigged with 1/4" stainless steel wire.

Dave Brown, the former Education Director at the Museum, will shape the spars and, working with Stanley, fit out the vessel's rig. Bruce Fortier, who has made the fittings for Harold's other schooners, the THOMAS E. LANNON and FAME, will again make all the ironwork.

Q: I was at the keel laying ceremony, which was a very touching and exciting moment, and was lucky enough to get up into the loft where I fell in love with those gorgeous yellow handled awls, which were being used as giant push pins. Can you tell me where I can get some?

A: The awls are indeed stuck in the lofting floor much like pushpins at locations determined by measuring the half-model. (For a picture, click here). Long, thin strips of wood called battens are then bent along them and the line is drawn on the floor. These are the ship's lines. Awls are also used to temporarily hold sail cloth in place.

You can find them from sailmaking and canvas suppliers, such as Sailrite for about $3. (H. Burnham, R. Robar)

Q: Is there an historical precedent for the ISABELLA? What earlier boat style (if any) will she resemble the most?

A: ISABELLA was designed first and foremost to fulfill the needs of her owner. That having been said, her style is based on a number of vessels from different historical resources in the early to mid nineteenth century, including the paintings of Fitz H. Lane. (H. Burnham)

Q: What types of sails can be used on the ISABELLA?

A: Sailboats can have many different sail configurations depending on the size of the sailboat, number of crew to handle the sails, where and how the boat will be used (a daysailer verses a racing boat, for example), personal preference, etc. The ISABELLA was designed as a gaff-rigged schooner. This means that she will have two masts, each with a medium-sized square-like sail, plus a triangular sail up front.

The overwhelming majority of Essex-built vessels were fishing schooners, which had this same basic sail configuration (although the larger boats had additional sails).

The sails will be made of a synthetic material called Oceanus, which looks like traditional canvas sails -appropriate on a traditional-looking boat- but will not absorb water and become top-heavy nor stretch out-of-shape as much. (R. Robar)

Q: What type of wood is used to build the boat?

A: While different kinds of wood may be used for different parts of the boat, traditionally white oak is used for most of the construction. White oak is a heavy, hard wood and holds up very well. The Museum has a piece of white oak from the old Chebacco river bridge built in the early 17th century. Even after sitting in the mud for over 350 years, this piece of cut wood is still solid. (R. Robar)

Q: How long will it take to build the boat?

A: Historically, vessels were built in Essex in a few weeks to several months. There were many factors, including the economy, skilled workforce, and urgency. Typically, a large fishing schooner would be launched 3-4 months after the keel was laid. The building time for the ISABELLA is expected to continue from the fall of 2005 until late spring 2006. Approximately 10 months. (R. Robar)