Side-planks
The re-creation of the Hjortspring Boat
This part deals with the side planks, manufacturing and sewing for bottom planks and bow blocks.
Schematic representation and naming of the Hjortspring boat's construction parts. 1
Side-planks, 1996 - 1997
The Stem-pieces are sewn to the bottom plank. A set of shape-templates is fitted.
The front stem-piece is sewn on the bottom plank.
The stem-piece is, in addition to the sewing,
also locked to the bottom plank with continuous slightly conical pin, which is then secured with a wedge.
The bottom plank is made ready for the assembly with the lower horn. The bow wood (oak) is mounted
and secured with an oak pin in the same way as the bow block, both in the upper and lower horns.
Mounting templates have been set up to hold the planks.
The cleats on the starboard side plank are being cut out.
The templates are secured against twisting and screwed into battens at the bottom of the boat, these are tied to the cleats in the bottom plank.
A side plank is held in place with cords through the plank-cleats.
Starboard side plank is prepared for sewing. The course of the railing is checked.
A total of three plumb bobs, hung from a steel wire under the ceiling, are used to ensure that the boat does not twist when the planks are sewn on.
The planks are sewn from the midships and towards the fore and aft and on both sides simultaneously.
Preparation of sealing material:
Cart sheep's wool which is immersed in liquid (hot) ox tallow and packed in newspaper for later use.
Sewing. There is shown, found, S-shaped tool, it can be used, but is somewhat cumbersome, so we have made our own.
Sew with long string. To protect the bast cord from wear and tear, it is tarred with wood tar.
The sewing requires two persons, one above, which forms the knot
and one under the boat, which attaches the loose end of the string to the other part and tightens the seam.
Adjust the side plank edge to fit the bottom plank. Here at frame 10.
Note the angular change of the edge of the bottom plank.
The stitching approaches the stem-piece and the stitching of the side plank to the bow is prepared.
Preparation for sewing the side plank to the stem.
The pieces of wood protect the holes when the white strings are tightened hard. Linden wood is a little soft.
The side plank is now sewn to the stem-piece.
Railing board set up. As can be seen, some wood is missing. Something will be done about that later!
And that's all the way!
When both side planks were in place, we held (again) a party, it was June 8, 1997.
Different working methods were shown, here how to make two-stranded sewing cord.
- Ib Stolberg-Rohr has selected and customized the images.
Notes and sources
- 1: Kaul, Flemming, Da våbnene tav, Fig. 11, p. 19