Does anyone knows the typical sizes and termination for oars
in ship“s boats?
I am building a 1:98 model of the tea clipper Sir Lancelot that carries 2
life boats of 21 feet and 1 long boat of 26 feet and I am not able to find oars
dimensions (may be 10 feet long 3 inches diameter?) and preferred
termination (Varnish wood?, painted white?).
Also I would like to know where this oars are stored when the ship is on duty,
each boat should carry at least 4 pairs of oars. I have seen some models
pictures that shows the oars tied in the boat, what is the list advise?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Saludos, LFG {lguglielmucci}
Any whaleboat enthusiasts out there know the approximate lengths of the three
oars between the nine foot and sixteen foot ones?
{Al Ross}
LFG,
Re your query: There hasn't been a reply from the experts, so I will
diffidently offer the following.
The only references I find in my "library" are not too specific. Many photos of
models of your era of interest seem to have the oars apparently scattered over
the thwarts, and in black and white prints are indistinct as to color. In my
opinion, a commercial ship was more likely to have oars painted than varnished
(cheaper, more visible in low light levels), and would have them lashed neatly
down, half the set on the port side of the thwarts or sheer-strake/gunwale,
half on the starboard. Some other references may be helpful:
-
The Boats of Men-of-War by W. E. May. Although this concerns
warship boats, it is the only source I have found which gives clues on such
items as the size of oars and number for a size of boat. On p. 88, for the 1886
timeframe, it gives for a "cutter life" of 25ft 8 manned oars plus 2 spare; 6
at 14ft, 4 at 13ft.
-
Model Shipwright ("MS") No. 90, Dec. 94, p. 51: Waterline Sailing
Ships by R. A. Wilson. Models of a barque of 1886 and a ship of
1851 are shown. the boats
appear to be a light color (white?) but no oars are visible in the one boat
that is right-side up. "....Following general sailing ship practice, I fit the
ship's boats upside down..." However, it seems that one was represented as a
sea-boat and was stowed right- side up.
-
MS No. 95, Mar. 96, p. 36: "Barque 'Favell' 1895" by Donald
McNarry.
Photos of the model show four boats, right-side up, three with canvas-like
covers and one open (the oar color not discernible).
-
MS No. 104, Jun. 98, p. 3: "The Countess of Inverness, 1877"
by Ian Hunt. On this 1:36 model of the four-masted ship, two boats stowed
in the quarter are right-side up and open, and three boats forward are upside
down.
".... Each boat is... equipped with six oars, a steering oar, mast and yard,
and rope-handled brass-hooped bailer. A rudder and tiller for harbour work
are stowed in the stern sheets...... All boats are painted flat white with a
varnished sheer strake and are plain varnished inside." My perception is that
the oars are painted white, and are lying on the thwarts; I cannot discern
lashings, but I'm confident that this fine modeler would not have forgotten
them!
{Brian Taylor}
OAR-MAKING, FROM STEEL
Below is an account found in The Art Making Masts, Yards, Gaffs, Booms, Blocks
and Oars as Practised in the Royal Navy and According to the Most Approved Methods
in the Merchant Service, 2nd edition, printed for Steel and Goddard, London, 1816.
Oar-Making
The different parts of oars are described by the engraved figures, and their
dimensions by the tables.
Ships' sweeps and oars are made of hand-masts, or rafters, of suited to the
size and length, as per table. They should be chosen straight-grained, free
from large knots, shakes, or rind-galls. They are first sawed, or jambed in a
snatch-block, and hewed nearly to their size; then raised on horses, and
completed by the drawing-knife, spoke-shave, or plane. Open handles are nailed
to the sides of the loom in the direction of the flat of the blade, made of
oak, about one inch and three-quarters deep, and two inches and one-quarter
thick, hollowed to admit the hand easy between that and the loom: the length of
the handle is one-third the length of the loom.
DIMENSIONS OF SHIPS' SWEEPS & OARS
| Number of Guns
| Lengths
| Loom
(Square)
| Blade
| Handle
|
| Sweep
| Handle
| Loom
| Body or Shank
| Blade
| Broad
| Thick
| Diam.
of
|
| Inner End
| Outer End
| Inner End
| Outer End
|
|
| feet
| ft in
| ft in
| ft in
| ft in
| in
| in
| ft in
| in
| in
| in
|
| 100
| 52
| 2 - 2
| 19 - 6
| 13 - 0
| 17 - 3
| 6 3/4
| 6 1/2
| 1 - 1
| 6
| 1 5/8
| 1 3/4
|
| 98 to 90
| 50
| 2 - 2
| 18 - 9
| 12 - 6
| 16 - 9
| 6 1/2
| 6
| 1 - 0
| 5 3/4
| 1 5/8
| 1 3/4
|
| 80 to 74
| 48
| 2 - 2
| 18 - 0
| 12 - 0
| 16 - 0
| 6 1/4
| 5 3/4
| 0 - 11 3/4
| 5 3/8
| 1 5/8
| 1 3/4
|
| 64, 50 to 44 &; 38
| 46
| 2 - 0
| 17 - 6
| 11 - 6
| 15 - 3
| 6
| 5 1/2
| 0 - 11 1/2
| 5
| 1 1/2
| 1 ¾
|
| 36 to 32
| 44
| 1 - 10
| 16 - 8
| 11 - 0
| 14 - 6
| 5 3/4
| 5
| 0 - 11
| 4 3/4
| 1 1/2
| 1 3/4
|
| 28 to 24
| 42
| 1 - 8
| 15 - 4
| 10 - 3
| 13 - 0
| 5 3/8
| 4 3/4
| 0 - 10 1/2
| 4 1/2
| 1 1/2
| 1 3/4
|
| 22 &; Sloops
| 40
| 1 - 8
| 14 - 2
| 9 - 6
| 12 - 6
| 5
| 4 1/2
| 0 - 10
| 4 1/8
| 1 1/4
| 1 3/4
|
| 40, 38 &; 36 - Oars
| 36
| 1 - 8
| 13 - 4
| 9 - 0
| 12 - 0
| 4 3/4
| 4 3/8
| 0 - 9
| 4
| 1 1/4
| 1 3/4
|
| 32
| 34
| 1 - 7
| 12 - 6
| 8 - 6
| 11 - 6
| 4 1/2
| 4 1/4
| 0 - 8 1/2
| 3 3/4
| 1 1/4
| 1 3/4
|
| 28
| 32
| 1 - 6
| 11 - 9
| 8 - 0
| 11 - 0
| 4 1/4
| 4 1/8
| 0 - 8
| 3 1/2
| 1 1/8
| 1 3/4
|
| 24 & 20
| 30
| 1 - 6
| 11 - 0
| 7 - 6
| 10 - 6
| 4 1/8
| 4
| 0 - 7 1/2
| 3 1/4
| 1 1/8
| 1 3/4
|
| Sloops & Brigs
| 28
| 1 - 6
| 10 - 3
| 7 - 0
| 10 - 0
| 4
| 4
| 0 - 7
| 3 1/8
| 1
| 1 3/4
|
Barges', lighters', and ships' boats', oars are made of fir-rafters, similar to
ships', without handles to the sides of the loom.
DIMENSIONS OF OARS FOR BARGES, LIGHTERS & SHIPS' BOATS
| Breath of the Barge, Wherry, or Skiff
| Lengths
| Loom1
(square)
| Blade
| Handle
|
| Sweep
| Handle
| Loom
| Body or Shank
| Blade
| Broad
| Thick
| Diam.
of
|
| Inner End
| Outer End
| Inner End
| Outer End
|
| Tons
| feet
| ft in
| ft in
| ft in
| ft in
| in
| in
| in
| in
| in
| in
|
| 130
| 27
| 1 - 3
| 11 - 0
| 6 - 0
| 9 - 0
| 4 1/4
| 4
| 7
| 3 1/2
| 1
| 1 3/4
|
| 100
| 26
| 1 - 2
| 10 - 6
| 5 - 9
| 8 - 9
| 4 1/4
| 3 3/4
| 6 1/2
| 3 1/8
| 1
| 1 3/4
|
| 80
| 25
| 1 - 2
| 10 - 0
| 5 - 6
| 8 - 6
| 4 1/4
| 3 1/2
| 6 1/2
| 3
| 1
| 1 3/4
|
| 70
| 24
| 1 - 1
| 9 - 9
| 5 - 3
| 8 - 0
| 4 1/8
| 3 1/2
| 6 3/8
| 3
| 1
| 1 3/4
|
| 50
| 23
| 1 - 1
| 9 - 3
| 5 - 0
| 7 - 9
| 4 1/8
| 3 1/2
| 6 3/8
| 3
| 1
| 1 3/4
|
| 30
| 22
| 1 - 0
| 8 - 9
| 4 - 9
| 7 - 6
| 4 1/8
| 3 1/4
| 6 1/4
| 3
| 7/8
| 1 3/4
|
| 20
| 21
| 1 - 0
| 8 - 6
| 4 - 6
| 7 - 0
| 4
| 3 1/8
| 6 1/4
| 2 7/8
| 7/8
| 1 3/4
|
Boats, in breath:
Ft In |
|
| 7 - 0
| 20
| 0 - 10
| 6 - 0
| 6 - 10
| 6 - 4
| 4
| 3 1/8
| 6 1/8
| 2 7/8
| 7/8
| 1 3/4
|
| 6 - 0
| 19
| 0 - 10
| 5 - 0
| 7 - 2
| 6 - 0
| 3 7/8
| 3
| 6
| 2 3/4
| 7/8
| 1 3/4
|
| 5 - 0
| 18
| 0 - 10
| 4 - 0
| 7 - 6
| 5 - 8
| 3 7/8
| 3
| 6
| 2 3/4
| 7/8
| 1 3/4
|
| 4 - 6
| 17
| 0 - 10
| 3 - 6
| 7 - 4
| 5 - 4
| 3 3/4
| 2 7/8
| 5 3/4
| 2 5/8
| 7/8
| 1 1/2
|
| 4 - 0
| 16
| 0 - 10
| 3 - 0
| 7 - 2
| 5 - 0
| 3 1/2
| 2 3/4
| 5 3/4
| 2 1/2
| 3/4
| 1 1/2
|
1 The looms of boats' oars are often made round.
Oars and sculls for barges, wherries, and skiffs, are made of ash (and
sometimes of fir) rafters, which should be chosen tough, straight-grained,
without shakes or large knots. The rough wood.is taken off with an axe, and
finished in a neat manner on horses by drawing-knives, spoke-shaves, and
planes. A leather button is nailed on the foreside, about two inches from the
loom, and that edge rounded, to work easily in the rowlock: the lower end of
the blade is strapped round with tin to prevent its splitting.
DIMENSIONS OF OARS & SCULLS FOR BARGES, WHERRIES &
SKIFFS
| Breath of the Barge, Wherry, or Skiff
| Lengths
| Loom
| Blade
| Handle
|
| Sweep
| Handle
| Loom
| Body or Shank
| Blade
| Thick
| Thick
| Broad
| Thick
| Diam.
of
|
| Inner End
| Outer End
| Inner End
| Outer End
|
| Ft In
| feet
| ft in
| ft in
| ft in
| ft in
| in
| in
| in
| in
| in
| in
| in
|
| 5 9
| 20
| 0 - 11
| 4 - 6
| 8 - 11
| 5 - 8
| 4
| 4 1/2
| 2 1/2
| 6 1/2
| 3 3/4
| 3/4
| 1 5/8
|
| 5 6
| 19
| 0 - 11
| 4 - 4
| 8 - 5
| 5 - 4
| 3 3/4
| 4 1/4
| 2 1/4
| 6 1/4
| 3
| 3/4
| 1 5/8
|
| 5 0
| 18
| 0 - 10
| 4 - 0
| 8 - 0
| 5 - 0
| 3 1/2
| 4
| 2
| 6
| 2 3/4
| 3/4
| 1 5/8
|
| 4 9
| 17
| 0 - 10
| 3 - 10
| 7 - 7
| 4 - 8
| 3 1/4
| 3 3/4
| 1 3/4
| 5 7/8
| 2 1/2
| 5/8
| 1 5/8
|
| 4 6
| 16
| 0 - 10
| 3 - 6
| 7 - 4
| 4 - 4
| 3
| 3 1/2
| 1 1/2
| 5 3/4
| 2 3/8
| 1 2
| 1 5/8
|
| 4 3
| 15
| 0 - 10
| 3 - 3
| 7 - 0
| 4 - 0
| 2 3/4
| 3 1/4
| 1 3/8
| 5 1/2
| 2 1/4
| 1/2
| 1 5/8
|
DIMENSIONS OF SCULLS FOR WHERRIES, SKIFFS &C.
| Breath of the Barge, Wherry, or Skiff
| Lengths
| Loom
| Blade
| Handle
|
| Sweep
| Handle
| Loom
| Body or Shank
| Blade
| Thick
| Deep
| Broad
| Thick
| Diam. of
|
| Inner End
| Outer End
| Inner End
| Outer End
|
| Ft In
| feet
| ft in
| ft in
| ft in
| ft in
| in
| in
| in
| in
| in
| in
| in
|
| 5 6
| 14
| 0 - 4 1/2
| 2 - 4
| 7 - 9
| 3 - 6
| 3
| 3 1/2
| 2
| 5 1/2
| 2 1/4
| 1/2
| 1 3/4
|
| 5 3
| 13
| 0 - 4 1/2
| 2 - 2
| 7 - 2
| 3 - 3
| 2 3/4
| 3 1/4
| 1 7/8
| 5 3/8
| 2 1/4
| 1/2
| 1 3/4
|
| 4 9
| 12
| 0 - 4
| 2 - 0
| 6 - 8
| 3 - 0
| 2 1/2
| 3
| 1 3/4
| 5 1/4
| 2 1/8
| 1/2
| 1 3/4
|
| 4 6
| 11
| 0 - 4
| 1 - 11
| 6 - 0
| 2 - 9
| 2 1/4
| 2 3/4
| 1 5/8
| 5 1/8
| 2 1/8
| 1/2
| 1 3/4
|
| 4 3
| 10
| 0 - 4
| 1 - 9
| 5 - 5
| 2 - 6
| 2 1/8
| 2 5/8
| 1 1/2
| 5
| 2
| 3/8
| 1 3/4
|
| 4 0
| 9
| 0 3 1/2
| 1 - 7
| 4 - 10
| 2 - 3
| 2
| 2 1/2
| 1 3/8
| 4 3/4
| 2
| 3/8
| 1 3/4
|
N. B. Oars or Sculls made of fir exceed the dimensions in the above
tables one-eight of an inch. The price of fir oars is seven shillings
less than ash orars, and fir sculls three shillings and sixpence less
than ash sculls.
{John O. Kopf}
RE: Whaleboats
See: THE WHALEBOAT, Willets Ansel, (Mystic Seapor t Museum, 1978) pg 60,61
also: TO BUILD A WHALEBOAT, Erik A R Ronnberg Jr, (Model Shipways, 1999) pg 26
There is no exact answer to your question. We can say that American
whaleboats typically used 5 rowing oars of 3 different lengths, plus a
longer steering oar. The rowing oars generally ranged between 14 and
18 feet, with the spread in a particular boat usually about 2' between the
longest and shortest, for example: 16', 17' and 18' in one example, or
15,' 16', and 17' in another example. All the boats of a ship would
probably be consistant, except the midship boat might be smaller,
and thus it might also use shorter oars.
The oars in a boat (from bow to stern) might thus be as follows:
Harpooner (16', starboard side)
Bow (17', port side)
Midship (18', starboard side)
Tub (17', port side)
After (16', starboard side)
Steering oar (22')
The Model Shipways "New Bedford Whaleboat" kit, modeled after one
of the whaleboats at the New Bedford Whaling Museum, matches this
example. Oars listed in a bill for the bark Mermaid show essentially
the same lengths, plus a few 15' oars, perhaps for smaller or less
experienced oarsmen. - [Ronnberg]
Ansel [pg 61] notes oar lengths for boats found at several museums ...
(the figures are for the three sizes of rowing oars, plus the steering oar.)
Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum: 14' - 16' - 18' & 23'
Nantucket Whaling Museum: 12'.8" - 14'.6" - 15'1" & 19.7"
New Bedford Whaling Museum: 15' - 16' - 17' & 18'.2"
Mariners Museum: 15' - 16' - 17' & 21'.4"
and comments [pg 60] that ...
Ashley writes of oars of 17' - 17'.6" - 18', 15' - 16' - 17', and 16' -17' - 18',
with the steering oar from 20 to 23'
Brown lists 16' - 17' - 18' & 22'
Davis lists 14' - 16' - 18' & 22'
Ansel also notes [pg 60] that British whaleboats sometimes used shorter oars,
and that Scoresby writes they were 14' to 16', all the same length. Azorean
whaleboats, longer than American boats, used 6 oars, 2 each of 16', 17', and 18'.
{David Hill}
I will quote you the lengths taken from "The Whaleboat" by Willets Ansel.
|
| Harpooner
| Bow
| Midship
| Tub
| After
| Steering
|
| Spring Harbor Museum
| 14'
| 16'
| 18'
| 16'
| 14'
| 23'
|
| Nantucket Museum
| 12' 8"
| 14' 6"
| 15' 1"
| 14' 6"
| 12' 7"
| 19' 7"
|
| New Bedford Museum
| 15'
| 16'
| 17'
| 16'
| 15'
| 18' 2"
|
| Beetle boat at Mariners Museum
| 15'
| 16'
| 17'
| 16'
| 15'
| 21' 4"
|
I scratch built a Delano whaleboat from plans by Eric Ronnberg, Jr. and as
I remember, the boat was 28'. I don't know where the plans are but could
measure the oars off the model if you want. I very much enjoyed the project.
The whalecraft was fabricated from German silver and the cutting edges
honed and polished looked like you could shave with them. I fastened
with cold drawn copper wire nails about 2500 of them one at a time.
The finish was left natural as I didn't want to cover up all that fastening.
The tubs and other cooperage was made from tapered beveled stays
out of plum and copper bands silver soldered and oxidized.
{Phil Krol}
Figures I have written down are a bit longer (I am from New Bedford) but they
could be from a slightly different date.
| Steering oar | 22 feet
|
| one stripe, harpooner | 16 feet
|
| two stripes, bow | 17 feet
|
| three stripes, midships | 18 feet
|
| four stripes, tub | 17 feet
|
| five stripes, stroke | 16 feet
|
{Bob Santos}
Back?