Re-planking of the hull was completed on February 21st. Peter Chroston, the boat builder received considerable help from Trust member Syd Smith. Clenching (nailing) the two layers of planking was completed soon afterwards with the help of Damien Brown. Since then the hull has been primed and all seams and nails stopped and caulked. (Stopping involves putting a layer of red lead and putty in the small spaces between the planks on the outer skin and all the nail heads.) This significant part of the restoration was well covered in the local press, radio and regional television. The next stage was the replacement of the ribs. This was a relatively straightforward process, which involved steaming the new oak ribs for up to two hours. 80 new ribs have been fitted and clenched. A few short ribs at the bow and stern will be fitted later when the new keelson is in place. Tony Goldsmith, one of our volunteers played a significant part in this. The wrought iron keel has been removed. This was a relatively simple operation, which involved the cutting of the keel bolts and the removal of the keel by the use of “Spanish windlasses.” On inspection we were delighted that the keel was found to be in good condition with about 1mm of corrosion. The keel bolts have been removed and new ones have been ordered. The keel will be cleaned and then coated with epoxy tar, generously donated by Sigma Coatings, before being put back later. Thanks to the assistance of Titchmarsh Marina staff, the new oak keelson has been installed in two pieces and scarfed together inside the boat. The ballast tank bearers and their hull battens have been restored and should be back on the boat by the time this newsletter is published.
Sponsor-a-Rib: All 80 ribs have now been sponsored with support coming from several ex-Waltonians in Australia and Canada. Descendants of Joe Wyatt (crew member 1907-28) have sponsored a large numbers of ribs on the starboard side. We are now inviting sponsorship for Portions of Sail at £25 per portion. Details from 01255 675308 or 01255 677946.
Fund Raising: A grant of £500 has been received from the Walton Community Project. Swallows have again nested under the ridge of the tarpaulins, this time hatching four chicks, which left the nest at the end of June. A pair of Blackbirds also hatched three chicks under the starboard side tarpaulin. Click Here to see images
Talks: Any supporter who belongs to any club or society interested in having an illustrated slide show and talk on the restoration should contact me on 01255 675308.
Email: Could any supporter who receives this newsletter by post and now has email please advise me of their email address so that future newsletters can be sent by email thereby saving on postage. My email address is john@jsteer.fsworld.co.uk
John Steer: Newsletter Editor
| Previous Newsletters: | No5 August 2002 |
| No6 January 2003 | |