No Deck

With the complete removal of Shamrock's deck, port covering board and sheer strake* her port frames have been exposed revealing that although some frames will have to be repaired or renewed it is not as bad as the starboard side and only the after section of the beamshelf will need renewing. Most of the port side rot has been wet rot with only small amounts of mycelium being found. Shamrock's forward cargo hold main beam will need to be renewed as the removal of the main tabernacle has revealed substantial rot and when combined with the rot and a shake in the starboard side, that had already been noted, it means that it’s repair is not an option and it must be replaced.

*Sheer strake the top row of hull planks below the cover board.

No deck.

Looking aft.

Looking forward.

Main tabernacle.

Forward cargo hold main beam.

Port Side

With the completion of Shamrock's starboard beamshelf and frame repairs a start has been made on her port side. Large areas on her port deck have been receiving the reciprocating saw treatment to enable the removal of the starboard cargo gate*, bulwark and stanchions. In the process more wet rot has been discovered in some wooden knees and the underside of the covering board and the full extent of the rot in the after deckhouse coaming has been exposed. Shamrocks deck winch, windlass and sluice pump have been removed to the boat shed ready to be stripped down, cleaned and repainted.

Visitors can now see the repairs to Shamrock progressing with the opening up of the front section of her cover. The moving of Shamrock's hut adjacent to the opening means the wellbeing of her 'Meet and Greet' crew has been assured and puts them close to the visitors.

 *Cargo gates, moveable sec­tion of bulwarks to facilitate loading or dis­charging cargo, situated on each side of the car­go hatch.

Missing deck!

Wooden knee.

Covering board.

Deckhouse coaming

Cargo gate.

Sluice pump.

Deck winch and windlass

Open for visitors.

May Update

The renewal of Shamrock's starboard beamshelf has been completed with the cutting and fitting of the forward section. The first hull plank has been cut from a 9.75 meter (32ft) plank, steamed shaped and fitted. With the high cost of galvanised boat nails the crew have been employed in recycling a large quantity of old nails that where recovered during the removal of Shamrock's hull planks. These have been straightened, cleaned and finally had a coat of galvanise paint.

Beamshelf section bing checked for size and fit.

Beamshelf complete.

Shaped hull plank.

The last boat nail

Hammered home.

First hull plank in place.

Old nails.

Mass production.