I've had this model of a Nobby that was built by my Great-grandfather around 1880 for a number of years and decided it was time to get about some restoration. While I can claim to have worked for the Newport News Shipyard, I have no exposure to sail boats. And while I have worked with communications systems for quite a while, I have no experience with BLOGS. So, what could go wrong?
The path toward this reconstruction has had a number of fortuitous turns and the efforts of others to generously share their knowledge.
Things began in earnest when I came across a posting in the McCubbin Family web site which posted a picture of a silver model of a Solway trawl boat that was presented to a Member of Parliament for his support of the local fishing industry.
http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=3663 The caption notes that the silver model was built from reference to a model built by James McCubbin, who it turns out is my Great-grandfather.
Still searching for information, I came across Rob’s post in this web site about the amazing model Nobby he is building. A page of Rob’s notes for his sail plan was on top of a book by L.J. Lloyd. His notes covered everything but the page title “Sail Plan for a 31 foot Annan Trawl Boat (a Solway Nobby) c. 1897.
http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=30888.350 Rob was kind enough to provide enough information that I was able to get a copy of the page from the book’s publisher. It turned out that Lloyd’s source for the sail plan was the same silver boat in the Dumfries Museum. So, I have the sail plan for the model!
Another great source is Nick Miller’s “The Lancashire Nobby”. The Frontispiece is a picture of the silver model at the Dumfries Museum. The chapter on Annan includes mention of the McCubbin family. Contact with Mr. Miller was made possible through Rob’s BLOG and a posting (and gracious follow-up)by gondolier88 – again via the Model Boat Mayhem website.
Nick Miller has been a huge help in getting the reconstruction launched (notice the nautical term – one of the few I know) and in the right direction. Thanks to his assistance, the mast is installed and secure. When I got the boat, it came with a number of parts. I remember my father say that he didn’t think the parts were all from this model. And that proved true. But I can now determine which parts can be restructured to fit the model.
This is probably too much for a first post. I’ll add a couple of pictures and some more background on the boat. And, obviously, more questions and some details on how the reconstruction is going. This fine boat has made it through some 130 years and I would hate to mess it up now.
So, comments and suggestions are warmly welcomed.