TimePeace
Disillusioned.
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2008
- Messages
- 1,166
Boatyard break room talk:
One of our crew was working in a yard in Boothbay about 10 years ago - the Bounty was in that shop and having extensive work done at the time. Another friend and neighbor (not working with us now) re-planked the bottom, with 3 inch thick oak. "Miles of planking" was the expression used. The frames (ribs) of the Bounty are two eight-by-eight inch solid oak side by side, in other words 16x8.
Most of the ship was very new and in very seaworthy condition.
No wooden structure so large can be entirely rigid. Hence, in heavy going, there is constant shifting and movement of the planks, so some leakage is inevitable. While incredibly strong, the hull of any wooden ship is not capable of withstanding sustained heavy weather in any way comparable to modern steel warships. Nor can it steam away from bad weather faster than the weather is moving. Modern ships often can.
While the vessel itself is often safer at sea than in port, the fact remains that the crew members are in minimal danger when in port. It might beat itself to pieces against a pier but no one has to remain on board. And if at anchor, crew is much more easily moved to safety if necessary.
When such a ship has taken on a great deal of water, as it rises to the crest of a large sea (30-foot waves in this case), and then the sea drops away, there is huge pressure bearing outward against planks which are fastened to the outside of the frames. Much of that water inside the hull is above the sea for moments, and fastenings are hugely stressed over and over.
Informal consensus (i.e. Monday-morning quarterbacking): The captain was well qualified to run that ship but his wisdom in setting out on the course he chose, with such a storm brewing, is at best highly questionable, and at worst downright stupid.
Condolences to the lost crew members' families.
One of our crew was working in a yard in Boothbay about 10 years ago - the Bounty was in that shop and having extensive work done at the time. Another friend and neighbor (not working with us now) re-planked the bottom, with 3 inch thick oak. "Miles of planking" was the expression used. The frames (ribs) of the Bounty are two eight-by-eight inch solid oak side by side, in other words 16x8.
Most of the ship was very new and in very seaworthy condition.
No wooden structure so large can be entirely rigid. Hence, in heavy going, there is constant shifting and movement of the planks, so some leakage is inevitable. While incredibly strong, the hull of any wooden ship is not capable of withstanding sustained heavy weather in any way comparable to modern steel warships. Nor can it steam away from bad weather faster than the weather is moving. Modern ships often can.
While the vessel itself is often safer at sea than in port, the fact remains that the crew members are in minimal danger when in port. It might beat itself to pieces against a pier but no one has to remain on board. And if at anchor, crew is much more easily moved to safety if necessary.
When such a ship has taken on a great deal of water, as it rises to the crest of a large sea (30-foot waves in this case), and then the sea drops away, there is huge pressure bearing outward against planks which are fastened to the outside of the frames. Much of that water inside the hull is above the sea for moments, and fastenings are hugely stressed over and over.
Informal consensus (i.e. Monday-morning quarterbacking): The captain was well qualified to run that ship but his wisdom in setting out on the course he chose, with such a storm brewing, is at best highly questionable, and at worst downright stupid.
Condolences to the lost crew members' families.
