Edwin Fox - 9th Oldest ship in the world. (2nd oldest merchant sailing ship)

This is the first of a couple of Posts about my adventures down in the South Island last week. While I was over there I got a chance to go over to Picton where, tucked away and unknown to most of the world lies the Edwin Fox which is quite a remarkable vessel.

Artists rendition of the Edwin Fox

 Now I heard about this in the Coast NZ TV series and given my obsession interest in sailing ships I decided I really wanted to go see it. Fortunately for me I was lucky while staying in Nelson to get a chance to go over to Picton about a 2hr drive away. The Edwin Fox started out it's life carrying tea but it would go on to do many things during its life. Here are some basic facts for you.

• It is the second oldest merchant sailing ship as well as the 9th oldest overall. Being constructed in Calcutta in 1853.
• It is the last surviving ship that took convicts to Australia.
• It is the last surviving Crimean War troop carrier.
• It is the Oldest surviving wooden ship that brought immigrants to New Zealand.
• And the only remaining ship of the Dunbar Shipping fleet which was once one of the largest on earth.

So this is rather a special ship and I got to have a look. If you want to know more Maritime New Zealand has a page on it.Below are some of the photos I took. I hope you like them.

The bow of the ship has been partially reconstructed to show what life would have been like onboard

A hammock seems like a sensible idea

These two photos show a contrast. On the left is a room what would have been occupied by wealthy passengers. The right is a mock up of the galley.

When used to transport immigrants which is what most people on board would have slept in.

But by far the most interesting thing about this ship is the size of it. This space in the hold. It has been described like an upside down cathedral. Although an exaggeration it is quite a space to be in.

Another shot from inside

A look at the rudder, with a helpful person for scale

The ship is kept in dry-dock and it is possible to go down and look from below. A really worthwhile experience.

The rudder again, this time looking up at the stern

A view of the bow. Note the Muntz metal plating

A view of the bow. Note the white paint. Compare this line to the artists drawing above. The ship has completely lost it's top deck.

Finally an interesting read. It shows the crimes and sentences of some of the convicts transported by this vessel. A full list is in the Museum itself. Note: Habitual drunkenness with a 7 year sentence.

 Well that is all for today. I will upload some photos from my trip to the Abel Tasman National Park soon. Oh and for those wondering the ships dimensions were:

• Length: 44.1m
• Mast height: 48.8m
• Beam: 9m
• Crew: approximately 50
• Passengers: up to 400
• Tonnage: (original) 900, (current) 630

Or in 1/72 scale:

• Length: 61-62cm
• Mast height: 68cm
• Beam: 12.5 cm

 Which is not too large for a model. :-P Although I don't have the plans for it and unless there is interest in this being made in 1/72 I don't think I will bother the museum staff for a copy. So until next time have a good day/night and I hope you've enjoyed learning about this interesting ship.

Abel Tasman National Park, day 2

Well I'm not quite home yet, so this is not the full post of my adventure. But a small update to carry you over. After completing our hike we got picked up by a water taxi and on the way back we came on a pod of dolphins, around 200 strong. (as well as passing a small seal colony) With my Camera out of juice my phone stepped up and snapped some pics. Sadly blogger doesn't want to use images from my gallery so a photo of the water taxi will have to do. I'll have plenty of pictures for you later (including dolphins) until then have a good day/night!

Abel Tasman National Park, day 1

This blog post comes to you from the middle of nowhere. Apple Tree Bay to be specific. Somehow there is reception out here. I'll do a full post when I get back but until then have a great day/night.

Holiday in Nelson

Hi all, I hope that you are all well and having a good time. :-) Today I've got something a bit different for you. My sister and I are down in Nelson and we're staying with friends who own a backpackers down here. Got some interesting things planned such as a walk in Abel Tasman National Park, which I will post pictures of later.

Anyway if you're ever down here look up the Bug Backpackers and let them know Gowan told you about them.

But enough writing for now. I'll have some more tramping photos and model boats for you soon ;-)
Until then have a good day/night!

P.s. this is my first post using the Blogger mobile app. Hope it turns out well.

Here's a photo from the backpackers 

Pirate Galley - Barbaroja

Arrgh! 'Tis time for another ship m' harties! Meet the beautiful Barbaroja (red beard). A light galley based of ancient designs she is designed to chase down and raid small merchant vessels. On her mast she carries a mighty sail that is the main form of propulsion. As such this model represents her in her sailing configuration with the benches and oars being stored below decks to enable free movement. On with the pics (which I edited due to lighting)

I forgot to mention that this fine lady is armoured! Yellow copper plates protect the front when ramming and the ram is copper too.

If you saw this coming at you (usually oars would be in use too) you should probably expect a good ramming!

Name plate - I went for a more rough and crude look for this name plaque. It suites this piratical vessel

Instead of a rudder she had rudder oars. Again mirroring ancient designs. They are also slightly harder to shoot off which cannon.

Close up of the bow. As you can see there is plenty of protection. Often small cannon would be kept behind here for use against shipping

And one of the Stern. Again there is a significant raise in the sides to provide protection to the crew

The jolly roger! Although not so jolly for any passing merchant ships.

So that is all for this ship and indeed for this year. I wish you all the best for the coming year, may it bring you joys. I for my part will try to bring you more adventures and stories of the little people of Oronegro. And I will enjoy seeing/hearing what you have to show. Have a good day/night! I will see you all again next year!

Odds and Ends - My work from 2016

Hi there everyone, as we count down the last few nights to Christmas I thought I'd show you what I have managed to paint this year while at university. There isn't really enough to warrant a post each so here is a post of all the things I painted while up there and a couple of small boats as well. Enjoy.

Slim pickings. I simply must stop playing video games while I am at uni at focus on the little ones!

First up a few militia figures led by the brave.... He has no name/story yet. Will think of one soon.

These are figures from the Imex Alamo Defenders set. A good set for militia and civilian fighters

A pair of conquistadors - I finished the one on the left earlier this year but now he has a friend.

ARRRR - Some pirates. Great little figures from Orion.

These are from the Caesar Samurai set. I tried to make it look like they are standing on a wooden floor.

NINJA! Again a little experimental base. This time it is a dirt path at night.

 And now for a couple of boats. These are quite simple and can be used for a variety of purposes. One is long and narrow and the other is short and wide. That's basically all they have to them.

The first boat, El Sol II, I used a nice light blue for this one.

The second boat. This has no name but can fit quite a few figures because of its width.

A shot from behind of the rudder. I went with a wood texture on this using dry brushing to get the texture.

And that is that. I hope you like them and I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year. If all goes well I will have one final post to wrap up 2016 of the boat I am currently working on. (see the other blog)

But until then I wish you all a very good day/night. :-D

Estafanía - Dhow

Hi everyone I am back with a new vessel to show you all. This time round it is something more exotic: A Dhow. These vessels have been used since ancient times in the waters around the Arabian Peninsular and Indian Ocean. They can also be found in the Mediterranean which is how, via settlers, it ended up in Oronegro. Used by fishermen, traders, pirates and many others they are a much loved if rare vessel. Larger ones are employed by the Oronegrean navy from time to time. This one is not one of these vessels. It is more suited to fishing, trade and a wee bit of piracy.

A few pirates have managed to commandeer la Estafaía. They seem harmless enough right now.

I could probably have made the mast and sail a little bigger. And maybe raked the mast forward a bit more

close up of the bow.

Look over the stern

Name plate. I used a fine marker pen for this

And a close shot of the pirates

 Well that's it for today. I have another boat well on the way. It is a cross between a pirate ship and a Greco-Roman warship. It is quite strange but I think you'll like it. Anyway I have a few little things to show you before the year is out. The figures I painted while I was away (these pirates are included in that list).

But for now I wish you all a good day/night. Please comment and subscribe to my little blog. It's always nice to get feedback. :-D