Vessel Construction
The Tasmanian Sail Trading Ketch was a very successful vessel based on earlier English designs that were used around the Thames estuary and East Anglia for carrying cargo. Several hundred of this type of craft were built around the Tasmanian coastline and many were sold to interstate traders, especially South Australia and New South Wales. They formed a vital role in the transport of goods and people around south eastern Australia before the establishment of road links.
Characterised by a shallow draft to allow access to shallow coastal areas yet able to carry a relatively large quantity of goods and large area of sail, the vessels were the major links between settlements.
For most of her working life of over one hundred years the May Queen was operated by Henry Chesterman and the timber firm he established. In recognition of her historical importance, the May Queen was presented with the World Ship Trust Maritime Heritage Award (No. 22) in March 2003.
How was the May Queen built?
The May Queen was built on the banks of the Huon River at Franklin, just upstream from where the Wooden Boat School is now located. Suitable timber growing near the banks of the river, or close by was selected by the shipwright Alexander Lawson. A great deal of skill was required to select sections of timber from the trees in the bush that had the right shape to fit the proposed curvature in the vessel. Sections of branches and roots were utilised and these all had to be finished off without the use of modern day saws and power tools.
General practice was to carve a wooden half model of the hull, and the lines and general shape would be agreed upon with the initial purchaser of the vessel (unless the vessel was built on ‘spec’). The first task was to set up the keel. This was cut from a long straight length of ‘blue gum’ probably by a broad axe and using an adze to trim it to shape. Then the frames were shaped and fitted to the keel. From aft of the centrecase to about the mizzen mast, and from forward of the centrecase to forward of the mainmast, the lower sections of the frames went right across the keel from port to starboard and as far out to the turn of the bilge as timber width would allow. Naturally the frames at the centrecase stopped there. The top of each frame from deck level down to the end of the lower frame was then fitted, and an overlapping section (futtock) fixed to strengthen the joint. Planking was from the same material ‘blue gum’ (E. globulus) cut to about 300mm × 50mm near the keel and narrower towards the bilge.
Some Relevant Websites/Resources
Interested is learning more about vessel construction or sail trading vessels and ketches? Check some of the resources below…
General
- Allen C. Raul Inc.
- A to Z of Materials (Hull Construction Methods)
- Australian Wooden Boat Association
- Tasmanian Wooden Boat Guild
- Wikipedia: Ship Building
- Wooden Boat Centre
- World Ship Trust
Models and Kits
Detailed model plans of SV May Queen are available from:
There are many other makers of models and kits including:
Other Resources
Preservation Works Gallery
Images of before and after...
