Rigging Period Ship Models: A Step-by-Step Guide to the Intricacies of the Square-Rig (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The rigging of period ship models is arguably the most complex and daunting task for the modeler. An eighteenth-century man-of-war boasted mile upon mile of rigging, over 1,000 blocks, and acres of canvas. To reduce the rigging in scale and yet retain an accurate representation is a formidable undertaking. After studying numerous eighteenth-century museum models, the author has drawn some four hundred diagrams which clearly show how each separate item of rigging is fitted to the masts, yards, and sails. Each drawing deals with only one particular aspect and is accompanied by a logical and straight forward narrative. For example, the fore deadeyes and channels are shown before the shrouds are added, and these are depicted before the ratlines are added. Whether a model maker needs to rig a whole ship or just requires information on one aspect, it is all here in this beautifully produced volume that no modeler of period ships should be without.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: US Naval Institute Press (November 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557509700
• ISBN-13: 978-1557509703
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #95,394 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A benchmark for Marine Modelling, January 8, 2001

By	Robert Lester (Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a completely new approach to the rigging of ships for the wooden ship modeller. The author has done this by pictures alone. Page by page, step by step, rope by rope, a revolution in this type of instruction. Every page depicts a new, full page diagram on the rigging of ships.

As far as this type of genre goes, I am yet to see a publication that can match this, and as such the new bench mark, instead of the usual tome of exhaustive text for people who have lived on boats their entire life.

I have given it four stars as it is based on only one British ship. I can understand and appreciate the author's brilliance in his ability to filter down such a complex subject, but for the price, I would have liked to see a greater variance of ships and an inclusion of small boats, but this does not lessen nor detract from this books quality.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!!, January 18, 2003

By	A. J. Watson "Bones" (Newcastle-on-Tyne, UK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Boy, I wish I'd got this first, instead of some other books - this is just brilliant.
This book does just what its title says, teaches you in oh-so-easy steps how to rig a period ship. It makes no pretence at describing the different sizes of rigging and blocks (other books provide that info), but it does tell you exactly where each line is attached, which blocks it runs through, and, most importantly, where it is belayed ... in full-page, easy-to-understand line drawings, with all extraneous detail removed, and call-outs showing which is what. As one browses through, it all becomes clear ... rigging is not arbitrary, there are rules, and they make real sense when presented in this accessible manner.
The body of the book has ONE page of text - the rest is ALL graphics - brilliant!
In another review, I complained about that book's lack of clarity on belaying-points; this book tackles that problem in spades!
Anyone requiring a book on accurate routing of running and standing rigging need look no further - gets my 5 stars!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If You're a Model Ship Builder, Here's Another Must Have, August 15, 2002

By	Mark A. Savage (Indianapolis, IN USA) - See all my reviews

What I REALLY liked about this book, to get right to it, is that I understood every direction immediately. Now, you need to know that there are hardly any words in this book!!! That's right, it's basically just a picture book of one specific line or line set. The drawings show you where the line runs, where it's tied off, how it's tied off, and that's all!! It's great! No complicated wordy instructions to translate, just the lines, clear and easy.

The ship that Mr. Petersson uses for his example is the HMS Melampus, an English frigate (36 guns, 18 pounder). By using his drawings, you'll get to know the finer points for that period, but take care here. If you are building a "Mayflower" (as I am now) or a "Victory", "Wasa", or "San Felipe" you'll need to make a few adjustments in your building from the drawings. Just don't copy the picture, match the lines purpose to your particular vessel, if that vessel even had that line.

Great reference, and you should have one. Thanks Mr. Petersson, who by the way lives in Sweden!!