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[birlinn]

Building a model puffer. The tarpaulins on hatches were secured round the perimeter with 'planks' and timber wedges. But were the 'planks' timber or metal?

[Howard]

I  would say timber.
          Regards Howard

[Colin Bishop]

Not necessarily, the hatch battens could be metal. See here:
https://forshipbuilding.com/equipment/hatch-covers/
Colin

[david48]

Ships hatch covers used to wash upon the shore of the Solway Firth , thy were about 10 to 12 feet in length ,1 foot wide and about 2to 2 1/2inchs thick . thy were bound on both ends with a metal strap , and had a recess in each end with a metal bar across for a lifting point.
David

[birlinn]

Yep; it's the battens I need info on.

[Colin Bishop]

There is a photo in John Bowen's 'More Miniature Merchants Ships' book which clearly shows the battens as being long thin steel bars used in conjunction with wooden wedges.
Colin

[birlinn]

Many thanks, Colin.
Painted thin ply strips then for the model.

[dodes]

I am old enough to know and have work with wooden hatches, king beams and sister beams and canvas covers on coasters and barges. The hatch batten's could be both wood or steel, though steel ones were easier to use, because they were thinner and easier to work in between the cloths and clip. Remember the thick edge of the wedge always points to where the sea comes in board, with a single hatch you start from forward to aft with the thick end pointing forward and then amidships to aft the thick usually point aft. Same principle on the head ledges. Then lashings or battens across the hatch to secure the cloths in the event the battens and wedges come loose. If the hatch coamings are rounded on the corners then they would certainly be steel.