January Update

Shamrock's busy start to the New Year.

• The third visit from Bob Medler, the Ships Surveyor, checking the standard of work completed to date and seeing what else needs renewing/repairing.   
• Mass production of Shamrock's bulwark stanchions has been ongoing as all 36 of her stanchions required replacement. The new stanchions were cut from 5 in (12 cm) square oak to a height of 1 ft.4 in (41 cm) above the deck and tapered in on the inboard face to 3 in (7.5 cm) at the top, with the below deck section then cut to fit between the beamshelf and sheer strake. Only three more to go!

• The cargo hold hatch coaming has been removed, and the new coamings of 12 ft. (3.7 m) sides of 12 in (30 cm) x 6  in (15 cm) the 11 ft. (3.4 m) ends of 11 in (28 cm) x 5 in (13 cm) cut from large bulks of larch in the boat shed. Cotehele rangers assisted in carrying the cut timber onto Shamrock where further shaping carried out. Both sides have been bolted in place with weather check dovetail having been cut on the sides and ends ready for the end coaming pieces to be fitted.

Coaming conga.

• Plugging of old nail holes and new hull plank nail/bolt holes with ether oak or larch is continuing. The manufacture of these plugs is a very time consuming activity but fortunately it can be carried out in the boat shed.

Review of 2018

Work has progressed on ‘Shamrock’ during 2018 and the tasks undertaken are described here in no particular order.

• All ribs were checked, these were repaired or renewed as required. The rot found in sections of beamshelf was cut out and replacement sections fitted.
• A number of lodging knees were found to be missing and these were renewed the remaining knees being repaired or replaced.
• The work carried out on the beams and beam shelves necessitated the removal of the Starboard side hanging knees, these were moved to the boat shed to be stripped and painted and have been refitted. 
• The Sluice pump, Windless, Deck Winch and main mast tabernacle have also been removed to the boat shed. 
• All deck planks were removed and the new planks are on site and ready to be planed and fitted. 
• The after deckhouse and fore skylight combings have been removed.
• The Transom, Sternpost, Warping Horse, the aft deadwood and aft deck shelf have all been renewed. In addition, the aft deck shelf has been extended around the Warping Horse and Deadwood thereby providing the stern section with extra strength.
• Delivery was taken of a new set of sails for Shamrock which have been made from ‘clipper tan’ canvas and are stowed in the boat shed awaiting fitting.
• Both of the masts and the associated booms and gaffs, have been stripped of varnish and given a coat of ‘Woodskin’.
• Forward end of the cargo hatch coaming has been removed and will be replaced. 
• Five of Shamrock's beams have been renewed with an extra beam added to the fore deck, thus providing extra strength and will allow for Shamrock's deck winch to be bolted through the deck and a beam at both ends. Partner beams have also been fitted to the aftermost beam.
• New Oak sheer strakes have been cut, shaped and fitted. Replacement hull planks have been fitted up to the last strake, this will be fitted once the bulwark stanchions are renewed. All beams and frame ends have been ‘faired’ to the sheer line.
• The old bulwark stanchions have been put back, along with a temporary ribbon rail, as a template for the next stage of replacement.

During the summer Shamrock looked a bit of a mess but since the transom was renewed and the sheer strakes fitted she has been gradually taking on her old shape.

Christmas Break

With Shamrock's contractors away on their Christmas break Santas little helpers (Shamrock's crew) have been busy.

Shamrock's cargo hold before

and after.