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November 2022 Volume 12 number 11

ShipShape

News, Tips and Happenings
IT'S ALIVE !
(with a nod to the Frankenstein movies)

Yes, our new website is finally up and running, Same address: www.bluejacketinc.com.
It is faster, has a search function, most fittings are real pictures, and you can zoom in on the photos.
NRG'S MODEL SHIP WORLD
Model Ship World is an on-line forum of over 40,000 ship modelers. Topics range from kits to scratch builds, in-process continuing stories, tips, manufacturer information, technical topics. Too many to list here. Go take a look!

www.modelshipworld.com
Nautical terms and origins
Arse - An old term for the fall-side of a block; also called the choke. The word could go back to the Greek orsa, tail.

Boxhaul (also Box Haul) - To wear a ship in a square-rigger, in limited space, sometimes to minimize forward movement. Its origin is uncertain, but in all probability is the same as for Box.

Box - A verb, to name the points of a compass. The term probably evolved in the XVIII century, and, again probably, came from the Spanish bajar, to sail around.

Oakum - Caulking material made of tarred yarn fibers, earlier of flax, the latter also called tow. The origin of the word is Anglo-Saxon, acumba, tow; the Middle English sometimes was ockam.

Spitfire - A small jib, also a storm jib. The origin is obscure, but implies defiance to high winds and heavy seas.

Information is from the book "Origins of Sea Terms" by John G. Rogers
copyright 1985 Mystic Seaport Museum, Inc. and available from BlueJacket. 
Model of the month - USS Constitution
Our friend Dr. Jerry B of MA writes:

"Nic , Trisha and all. Thanks for making a great kit as well as supplying me with supplemental parts. It made my sequestering during the pandemic tolerable! Being retired it took me 17 months to complete. I did take some artistic license with the ship. I painted the blocks wood color as well as hanging one anchor and lashing the other. In retrospect I would have thinned the hull out further to expose the cannons better. I also regretted not aging the deck to make it look more worn. Hope you are all well and I look forward to visiting you this July. Sincerely. Dr Jerry B"
Real Boat Names
Let's see YOUR workbench
This is from George F. of MT, in last month's newsletter he was playing the boron.

"Hi Nic, 
Thank you for that kind write-up in your newsletter, I sent it to all my friends!!  Here are some photos of my work table where I spend several hours every day working on the Harriet Lane - it still needs more rigging, and the finishing the dear little dory that I started in Maine. The Seine Dory now sits on a display case on my desk.   
 
Thank you for all the support you and you wife have offered me over the years!
 
Warm regards, George"
What's on the workbench?
Nic's bench - Still plugging away t the Wyoming rigging. All the masts are done, now we need to do the bowsprit and forestays.
Al's bench - I asked Al to make a new half-hull kit, the Yacht America. Probably one of the most iconic and recognized ships in the world, up there with the Titanic, Mayflower and Arizona. kit # K1116 is $150.00 and you can call us to order one. It will be on the new website in a couple of weeks. Delivery will be in 3-4 weeks.
Something Fun
Tip of the Month - Spare tool box
From our friend Ned T. of NH:

"Dear Nic,
 
Found this Hohner's Harmonica display case while cleaning out my Mother's house. With no modifications, it houses some of the lesser used and duplicate tools which do not permanently live on my desk top. Closed it takes up little room and opened the tools are readily accessible.

Hope all is well in your world and you have had some good conversations with potential buyers.
 Have the best day ever...
 Ned"
Blatant Publicity
A Final Thought...
We are getting close to the holiday season. Our shelves are pretty well stocked, and we are making more kits every day. I suggest you order gift kits early to insure availability. Of course, a gift certificate is always appropriate. As my nephew Dan one said "Money as a gift is always the right color and always the right size"
Nic Damuck
BlueJacket Shipcrafters