The Mock-Up Model
Using the Matthew replica built at Bonavista, Newfoundland as our basis the initial concept of the Matthew Project was to create a hull model of a caravel representative of a caravel built in John Cabots time, based not only on the constructed caravel but also historical information.
In comparing the set of plans supplied to us by Matthew Legacy Inc. (custodians of the Matthew replica) and the actual reconstructed caravel at Bonavista we found that there were many differences, thus giving us a set of plans to work from and an “as built” ship.
Having two versions of a caravel to work with and adding to that some basic historical findings, this gave us a wide latitude to work from in developing our model.
The northern caravel is actually a hybrid of the cog, carrack and the Mediterranean caravel. There are two methods we can go about in creating a model this project. Either a historically correct plank-on-frame model or a plank-on-bulkhead model.
To create a historically correct framing on a model of this type would require setting in floor timbers and overlapping the first futtocks between the heads of the floors. This old style of framing requires skills of a more advanced model builder, thus it would limit the ability of the average modeler to build a model. The plank-on-bulkhead model was chosen for its easier construction method, allowing anyone from a beginning modeler to an intermediate builder to take part in the build.
Designing our model began with converting the original plans into modeling plans for a bulkhead hull.
To build our model using our converted modeling plans, before spending any money on wood, it was decided to first build a mock-up of the skeleton using foam board to confirm the drawings that were generated. Doing this offered us a low cost way of making any alterations that may be required to the general form of the model. It also helps you to anticipate any problems that you may run into before you actually cut into any wood.
For example, in the next picture the yellow arrows in the picture are pointing to errors in the hull lines which would cause a kink in the hull shape. Either bulkheads 3,4 and 5 are too full or bulkheads from 6 to 9 are incorrect. Either way adjustments were needed.
(Throughout the project, clicking on smaller images like the one above will open a larger image.)
When looking at the hull from the stern we can see on the right side of the hull, that all the bulkheads from midship to the stern have a fairly nice even flow. The small imperfections that do exist are small in nature and can be easily fixed on the model by sanding or with a file, so no major changes needed to be made to the drawings.
At this stage of development corrections to the bulkheads from midship to the bow were made on the drawings.
Looking at the mock-up, it becomes quite apparent that the top timbers inside the bulwarks as well as those that support the forecastle and stern castle decks are all exposed.