Volunteers now operating multiple Fronts. Fletcher Appears

Days in "Spirit of South Carolina World" have probably never been so intense.  First of all, obviously, is the activity going on at the Shipyard of Stephen's Towing. As of closing of this week the shipwrights have chipped out, and cleared away approximately eight planks, and dug another 8 "Dutchman" locations of worm damage to be replaced. by whole timber. On Monday, Fletcher made his appearance and wasted no time in starting to work.  Fletcher is an accomplished "finisher", specializing in cleaning up, prepping and applying professionally-done coatings, specifically varnish. His assignment was the entire above-the-waterline exotic wood-hatches, rails, etc.  With a heat gun and tiny scraper Fletcher methodically took down to bare wood every piece of sapele, teak, or Ipe, that sported a varnish coat. I know, because I was there unscrewing hinges and latches everywhere ahead of him to clear the area for finishing, as well as the undersides. 

Rudder balanced on a forklift,
 awaiting its table.

Tuesday, The Shipwright, Josh and his team dismantled the entire helm and steering gear, then rigged up the rudder to lift the rudder off its gudgeons, slide out from under the ships' "Counter" to be laid down for it's own maintenance. General consensus among the team was that the rudder was indeed "Purple Heart".

Not slowing down, the Shipwright team completed the removal of 14 whole planks that had been decimated with worm damage or significantly weakened. The dug out an additional 8 "Dutchman" spots, a rectangular excavation in a plank, removing a defined area of damage, then filled in with a solid fitted piece of wood, a "dutchman".

Three planks removed from starboard side.

Josh's teammate, Stephan Geering, brought along his Rigger experience to climb up on deck to assess the work of removing the standing rigging, and finally taking off the masts and spars. 

Midweek, late afternoon the governing Board of Spirit of South Carolina, Inc conducted its 2d monthly meeting, online via Zoom, and face to face. The agenda included sharing progress, issues, and coordinating a number of events, programs or just partnerships with organizations like the Charleston Library Society, the International African American Museum, Charleston's Project 250, and our expected participation as a British  warship.

Chris Sosnowki applies the pressure,
while Doug Hartley guides
the plank into the planer.

Friday, Shipwright Rachel Berquist of Lowcountry Maritime School  picked up a load of 8-foot seasoned long-leaf yellow pine planks, and delivered them to Old Salt Shipwright, Doug Dow's Shop..("Old Salt"; an honorarium given to the volunteers who built the schooner 2001-2007). She was met by our two volunteer shipmates, Old-Salt Chris Sosnowski, and Doug Hartley who had set up Doug's "planer" for planking. Chris and Doug spent the rest of the day, and next morning, running 15 plank material thru the plan, fairing, squaring up to custom dimensions for installation...

Tony fits a cross member while Doug
 steadies the vertical, Alex confirms
 alignment, and Adam supervises.

The day wasn't over yet.  On the ground lay a pile of scaffolding components, reminded me of the tinker toys we would pour out of its can into a pile, inviting creativity.

Saturday the 21st, rolled around with a new challenge. Just the day before(on Friday afternoon,) Josh has asked Bryan for volunteers to help with the Seam Compound application.  Just about every seam below the waterline would be requiring some filling in. 

Responding to Bryan's plaintive email blast requesting help, Danny Johnson, Tony Marchesani, Walter Barton, Calvin Milam, all joined up, crowded into Bryan's Tuscon for the bumpy ride thru the ship yard.  Shipwright Josh coached us on the judicious, thrifty, waste-not, techniques of the application of underwater seam compound, and we went to work. Josh bought some pizza, and we continued till stopping at 4 hours. We had covered 20% of the hull.  80% left.  We're expecting to be at it again once they have the planks set in.

Bryan, Calvin, and Tony readying to nudge
the scaffolding another few feet to a new spot,
where Calvin will start a new line.