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.

Beams & Knees

Shamrock's conservation work has been progressing well over the past few weeks with the following oak items cut fashioned and fitted.

• Forward cargo hatch coaming main beam.
• Extra forward beam. While not only providing extra strength this will also allow Shamrock's deck winch to be bolted through the deck and a beam at both ends. It was originally bolted through the deck and beam at one end with the other end through the deck and a loose reinforcing plank beneath.
• One aft beam. 
• Aft deck shelf.
• Aft deck shelf extended around warping horse and deadwood. This will prevent the deck moving around the deadwood and warping horse uprights helping to maintain a watertight seal.
• Transom knees.
• Aft beam knees.

A total of four beams ended up being cut from the naturally curved oak tree originally acquired for the main beam.

New aft beam.

New forward beams.

Aft deck shelf and extension.

New knees.

New Beams

The shaping, steaming and temporary clamping into place of the last section of starboard beamshelf has enabled the cutting and temporary fitting of Shamrock's aftermost deck beam. To get the correct deck camber a plywood template has been produced taking the curve from her cargo hatch after beam. Two partner beams have also been cut with tenons at one end that are to be mortised into the new beam while the other ends are to be bolted to the new deadwood adding extra rigidity to Shamrock's stern. Sections for her after deck shelf have been temporarily fitted to the transom and one of the forward beams that needs replacing has been cut and shaped ready for fitting. These new sections will need to be removed and given a protective coating before they are finally bolted in place.

Last section of beamshelf

Josh beam shaping.

New aft beam in position.

Partner beams.

Deck shelf.

New forward beam.

July Update

Shamrock's aft deckhouse coaming has been removed allowing its supporting beams and the mizzen tabernacle to be inspected. The good news is that the beams and tabernacle are sound, and it was already known that the coaming needed to be renewed. The new aft 'deadwood' has been black buttered and bolted into place and the new transom board is in the process of being fitted. The timber for the decking, hatch coaming, knees, etc. has been delivered and drying out nicely under the cover of a tarpaulin, while the large Oak timber required for her new main beam is still being sourced.

Deckhouse coming.

Exposed beams.

Ready for fitting.

Old and new bolts.

Deadwood fitted.

More wood.

Transom Update

Closer inspection of the large 4 meter (13 ft) wide by 1 meter (3 ft) deep and 100 cm (4 in) thick oak slab of the transom revealed that it had become distorted and that along with the areas of rot and a couple of through the transom shakes means that it needs to be replaced and has already been removed. With the difficulty of resourcing such a large slab of oak the replacement is being made in two sections with care being taken to insure the sternpost straps holes are kept well clear of the rebated joint. The replacement oak aft deadwood has been shaped and is ready for fitting.  With all of Shamrock's timbers exposed the amount and cuts of timber required to complete her repairs has been calculated and a large order is being prepared.

Transom distortion.

Blown out bolt hole.

Through transom shake.

Cut down transom.

Old section.

New aft deadwood.

New section.

Shamrock's Transom

The complete removal of Shamrock's deck planks exposed areas that had not seen the light of day since her restoration in the late 1970's, such areas as her aft oak Deadwood and the bottom section of her Warping Horse. As fresh water ingress had caused rot to both of these, they have been removed along with the Sternpost, rudder Gudgeons* along with associated ironwork and the fashion piece of her Transom. The Gudgeons and ironwork are in the process of being cleaned and painted. Rot in the top section of one of Shamrock's port frames has caused it to disintegrate and it is being replaced.

GUDGEONS. Bands of iron, steel or mixed metal which terminate in eyes, bolted to the sternpost to receive the pintle bolts of the rudder.

Aft Deadwood.

Warping Horse and Stern Post.

Fashion piece.

Rudder Gudgeons

What's left of Shamrock's Transom.

Fresh water damage. 

Disintegrate frame

Recovered bolt.