content making them
virtually weather-proof and
self lubricating; elm for the deadeyes, strong and stable. These are the correct period woods for these purposes. The stropping for the blocks as well as all standing and running rigging will be of Hempex™ synthetic hemp line. Hempex is virtually indistinguishable in appearance from natural hemp and wears far longer. Chain plates, and all iron fittings will be hand forged by a local blacksmith.

We will also be constructing such period equipment as a wooden bailing pump, rope fenders, heaving lines - all the necessary equipment for the safe and efficient use of a sailing vessel.

In the early Summer of 2008, Mercury will return to Greg Pattison's hands for final carpentry work, decking is to be added over the bows and mast tabernacles added to aid in lowering and raising the masts for easier transportation. A bowsprit will be mounted to add a headsail to give us maximum drive up wind. An extra rowing station (making a total of 6), another thwart for that station and sampson posts to mount the leeboards will be the final steps. We expect this to take approximately two weeks.

Our plan is to obtain a number of barrels and crates, partially to use as props since we will often be portraying a merchant boat, but the barrels, when fitted with a bladder and filled with water will make good ballast that will be easy to remove when trailering.

.

©2008 Gene Tozzi First Ulster County Militia, All Rights Reserved

Now that Mercury is home in Kingston, it is time to complete the project. At this time she is a rowed pettiauger, however she was designed to sail. Our winter project, therefore, it to build masts, spars, blocks, deadeyes, belaying pins and purchase hundreds of feet of line and thousands of feet of marline to convert her to the sailing vessel she was meant to be. In addition, new, larger leeboards need to be made, and a new mounting system for them needs to be fabricated. Oars need to be shaped, leaks sealed and, eventually when the budget allows, a suit of sails.