......... I don't love ships. Now don't get me wrong, I like ships. I like trains and airplanes and race cars. I like skyscrapers and hydroelectric dams and other big man-made things. I like pianos (make my living working on them). I like to watch How It's Made. I even like it when my wife says something or other in the house is broken and needs to be fixed (although it's almost always something she's recently touched ;). I like a lot of things, but there is no passion here for boats.

My experience with real live boats is limited. I got behind the wheel of a few of my friends motor boats on the bay or the lake over the years, and of course went as fast as I (it) could. Once I attempted to sail a little two- person sailboat (10' maybe?) on a moderately windy day on one of Minnesota's 10K lakes. It took me less than 5 minutes to have the sail IN the water. I got kind of seasick on a ferry boat once too.

That's about it. Not much brine in me blood. Avast ye mateys, not I.

BUT, I DO love ship modeling.

I built a zillion plastic models when I was a kid, mostly cars, but also my share of planes, ships, tanks, birds (do they still make plastic bird models?), space stations and the like. At some point I left that all behind, but it stayed in my (brackish) blood. Somewhere in the back of my mind was a thought-- "someday, I'm gonna build a wooden ship model".

That thought stayed way back there for a lot of years through my (sometimes strange, but I'll spare you) journey through life. When I was about 30 years old I finally had a real job, and a bit of disposable income. "I'LL BUILD A WOODEN SHIP MODEL!"---- I bought a Radio Shack Color Computer instead- I had started a small business and realized the computer would be a useful tool- so that became my new hobby for several years. Boat to the back burner.

Then 12 years ago, my son (then about 10) expressed an interest in plastic models.
We bought each other a car kit one Christmas, and worked on them together -bonding over the paint and the glue and the mess. We did some planes and tanks and all, but something was missing. In his mid teens he lost interest (I understand, been there!), but I was hopelessly addicted again.

So.............. I just ordered my fourth kit, the MS Glad Tidings Pinky Schooner, and CAN'T WAIT until it arrives.

I really love this hobby, for the challenge- for the measuring and the cutting and the wondering ("what the heck??") and the engineering and the nuance and having the right tool (or if not, making the almost-right tool work) and the ooh's and aah's from the family and friends "(you made that!? boy do you have a lot of patience") and all that (you know!).

And I'm glad that I found this forum. I am not much of a social networker, but I feel at home here. I greatly admire those of you who DO love ships, and have acquired vast knowledge and are willing to share that knowledge. Thank you all for that.

Anyone else out there like me?..... or should I hang my head in shame. I don't love ships. (But I like them a lot!).


- the musings of a ship modeler without a model ship to build, on a rainy Saturday afternoon

 

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Hello Art --

Sounds like you are in that zone ( doldrums) between ships , so to speak . Waiting on the next project can feel like a long time , the hands want to be busy . As you suggest -- "hopelessly addicted " . You are not alone .

Cheers

 

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Thanks Gary. That lifts me up.

 

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Art -- welcome - glad to be of service.

Positive thinking ...

"There comes a time when you must stand alone.
You must feel confident enough within yourself to follow your own dreams.
You must be willing to make sacrifices.
You must be capable of changing and rearranging your priorities so that your final goal can be achieved.
Sometimes, familiarity and comfort need to be challenged.
There are times when you must take a few extra chances and create your own realities.
Be strong enough to at least try to make your life better.
Be confident enough that you won't settle for a compromise just to get by.
Appreciate yourself by allowing yourself the opportunities to grow, develop, and find your true sense of purpose in this life.
Don't stand in someone else's shadow when it's your sunlight that should lead the way,and above all .....

HOLD FAST !"

 

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Aye Captain, Amen, and Roger that.

 

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Art:
No great sin (not "loving" ships). Seems that for you the "modeling" is the thing; And, that's OK.

For me, it's just the opposite; I love the sea and sailing ships, and a few of the more modern types (I think that the "Iowa" class BB's are some of the most beautiful ships built). But, nothing compares to the clipper ships and later "wind Jammers" (like Cutty Sark) for sheer beauty "under sail". Modeling is just a pastime that allows me to have a replica of the ships themselves. When the model is done, I can sit and imagine what is was like sailing on her (another pastime).

Some of my fondest memories are when I was "at sea"; The ocean, the clouds, the ships in formation (I loved "sea duty").

When working on my model, I can almost smell the salt sea, the hemp, the tar, and hear the sounds of the wind in the rigging and the water rushing by, and wish I were there.

If I could go back in time, I would like to have served on the clipper ships, or the USS Constitution, knowing full well how hard and dangerous the work was, I would still do it!

All the ropes and lines, and how they work, fascinate me to the point that when rigging a ship, I sometimes get "lost" and spend an hour, or two, just tracing lines to see where they go, and what they do.

For me, modeling these ships is, in a way,taking part in that history (a very small part).

 

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TO ALL ---


"Sea-Fever"

I must down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking.

I must down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

By John Masefield (1878-1967).
(English Poet Laureate, 1930-1967.)

 

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Gary, thank you for the beautiful poem. Have you also been at sea?

James, I can understand the attraction. When were you at sea? In the service?

My grandfather was a Chief Petty Officer in the Navy and was ships cook and (if I received correct information) served in both World Wars I & II. I didn't know him well but do recall a few stories- I wish now I had paid more attention. His best friend lived in the Annapolis area and his wife worked in the mess hall at the Naval Academy. When I was a kid we visited there often and went "behind the scenes". It was neat.

If either of you are ever in Philadelphia, PA there is a wonderful maritime museum, The Independence Seaport Museum at Penn's Landing.

 

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Hi Art --

I grew up in a long tradition of Loyalists sailors. My father , and uncle both served as officers in the Canadian Navy , and both owned schooners(which I grew up on). My grandfather sailed the world's oceans all his life and while serving as ship's cook aboard the Gurturde L. Tibeaut was lost at sea during a storm . My great grand father , James A. Hall , landed in Nova Scotia in 1757 and upon being released from the British Navy , married Emma Mac Neil . He bought a top-sail schooner and made his living from the sea and for a time as a privateer. The stories about his exploits are both informative ,amusing and inspiring. Someone in our family has always owned a ship . I have been on ships and boats , since I was a small boy. I look out my living room window at the Atlantic every day , I breath her in every day -- I was born to the sea , the salt is in my blood , what else can I say....................

cheers

 

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