Update: Two thumbs-up from the 'experts', so we're good to move to the next step, break the whole thing up..

I'm still trying to work out the best approach to this 3D CAD/3D Print project.

I think I've broken it down into manageable stages/sections, as per attached image.

I posted a copy off to the two recognised experts on the Tayleur design for their appraisal, hopefully they can see some merit in what I have suggested and we can move on.

Updates to follow.

I recently received information about the, reported, figurehead and stern adornment of the Tayleur.

"...the ships figurehead, a full length representation of Charles Tayleur, was fitted a few days before launch. On the stern his family crest and other emblems...". Edward Bourke.

So, considering the attached image, a bit of creative work ahead.

Updates to come.

Well, I'm gonna call it success, even if it is partially the wrong hull.

But, at least we have half of the Tayleur hull cross-section in CAD.

"...Slowly, slowly, catchy monkey..."

Updates to come.

Ok, the clean-up of the rough starting image will continue.

Next update for the finished image...

Stay tuned.

Murray.

Well this looks interesting..

For me, and given the nature of this project, It is important to incorporate as much genuine detail as possible in the final 3D print, and original source diagrams are priceless.

So, the, hand drawn, deck/hull assembly diagram from the original Lloyds Register Survey of 1853 is a bonus at this stage.

Now the real work begins...

Updates to follow.

So, I've been wondering how one goes about creating those smooth, rolling curves on these vessels.

And it turns out THAT'S what the engineering drawing is used for, who would have thought huh, not me... (Please see attached).

The cross section of the hull at the centre of this image is where all the information about the ship's 'lines' is kept.

A close look at that specific section will reveal, the left side of the cross section is different from the right side, that's because the left side is the stern projection and the right side is the stem projection.

So, the answer to developing that lovely shape of a vessel is, understanding 'the lines' of a vessel when you're trying to build a replica of it.

To that end, I have hunted down some basic information(attached), and will now do some more research on incorporating this into CAD design work..

More to come.

Murray.

I had initially thought I could print, maybe, 18 or twenty hull ribs for this project, and then just 'clad' the outside to get the finished product, lovely curves and all.

But, as eluded to in the previous post, the 'lines' of a vessel are a carefully crafted thing, not some slap-dash 'cladding' exercise.

So, as I do so often, it was back to Grantham's Iron Ship building book for help. And, low and behold, its not that simple.

Taking Gramtham's rib building example(attached) as the case for the Tayleur build, and checking the Lloyds Register Survey report, I find, each rib was a made from a 5" x 3" length angle iron.

On that basis, the Tayleur, at 230ft, would have been constructed with, not 18, not even 20, but 552 ribs of similar, yet diminishing size, and THEN some cladding, thereby providing the curved 'line' of the vessel.

And... on that basis, my 1/48th scale model, converted to metric, would require 552 ribs of, ... 2.64mm in width, and then some cladding.

So, on the hook of another dilemma am I.

Accuracy or sanity...

More to come.

I have just had confirmation from Edward Bourke, one of the original divers to the Tayleur wreck, that the hull was indeed of this ribbed construction, and that the external rivets were counter-sunk to reduce drag, ergo, more speed, a hallmark of the 'clipper's of the day.

Those external rivets are largely missing now, whereas the internal, full, rivets are still there. This raises questions about reduced corrosion resistance of counter-sunk rivets and what the expected 'working' lifespan of the vessel actually was.

More to come.