Whiskey Plank Party Celebrates Planking of the Entire Vessel

The Whiskey Plank was hung around 5 p.m. on Saturday afternoon and the party started even before we could get the clamps off. Attending were many of the folks who have helped us with this vessel as well as some the crew and owners scanning back as far as we can remember.

Bruce Silfer and Harold Glad to see the last plank on the vessel

The shipwrights worked furiously yesterday and got the job done!

The steamers were great and the outdoor fire burned late

One of the highlights of the evening - after the whiskey bottle was open and the steamers were in the pot - was when Mike Rutstien pulled the Christmas Tree off the stern post and he and Aaron Snyder set it ablaze as he did on the schooner Fame 8 years ago. It seems like this has become a new tradition at least as long as Mike is around.

Inside the songs were great - Barry O'brien on guitar, Dusty Clampitt on fiddle and mandolin

Jeff Lane, Mr. Cleary, Davis Griffith and Justin Ingersoll

That got the party really going and the musicians pulled out their instruments, the clams - dug by the famous clammer Richie Tofuri - were ready. The party went on til the wee hours and needless to say a good time was had by all! Thank you to all of the amazing shipwrights and friends who have been so great! Thank you Lenny for the great photos

Aaron Snyder and Brian Chapsky (Mike Rutstien is behind Aaron)

Davis Griffith talks to Graham McKay, Justin Ingersoll and Harold

Last Plank Going on Around 4 p.m. Today

Justin is preparing to cut one of the last planks

The good old Steam Jenny!

Harold is working hard today!

The bow is fully planked now - just four more to go

Bernie loads more wood into the steam Jenny

It looks like the last plank is going up at around 4 p.m. today so folks should come by anytime then or thereafter to celebrate the whiskey plank!

Getting Close...Four More to Go...Whiskey Plank Tomorrow!

Harold and the crew got 7 planks on yesterday and today they put on four. Tomorrow, they have four left so it won't be long now and we will finish tomorrow for sure. E. Harold has gone through nearly all of his planking wood and mentioned that 80 percent of it was cut on his sawmill using local trees from around here. The other 20 percent was cut by our good friend Jim Aaron in New Salem, Mass, from exceptionally long trees he procured in Connecticut. The barn and sheds and property seem to be emptied out of wood some of which has been stored, for nearly three years. So, it is great to be able to walk around the boatyard and see all that wood that once lay all over the place now transformed into a beautiful vessel. Great work everyone! 

Almost There! Whiskey/Rum Plank Goes on This Saturday!

Justin Ingersoll has cut many of the planks now on the Schooner Ardelle

Just coming out of the steam box!

Harold cuts a plank

The planking stage of the project is finally coming to an end. All of the inch and three quarter lower strakes are on and trunneled, and all that remains are the two inch whales around the top before we can celebrate the end of this important stage in finishing the vessel. In the old days, this is the time the crew would finally get their first pay and a celebration would often ensue. Sometimes the last plank is referred to as the whiskey plank but our good friend Bernie Power informed us during a recent Mug Up chat that where he comes from it is called the rum plank. We happen to have some rum from our friend Bruce Slifer...as an enticement to finish.


So...if everything goes well, that bottle will be uncorked this weekend...we are shooting for Saturday afternoon/evening...with 18 planks left. We think we can do it!! So make plans to come on by on Saturday night to celebrate.

Justin Ingersoll cutting planks

Almost done!  Planking will wrap up this Saturday!

Closing in on the Whiskey Plank

A nice interior shot of the frame and plank..looking down

H

Planks on here, caulking done, looking good.

Harold Is Actually Having the Time of his life as hard as the work is!

Nice view of the planks moving on up!

Harold is closing in now on the whiskey plank although the recent snow and tax time slowed things down by a day or so...but the good weather is coming and the shipwrights will have longer days...with Harold likely working til sunset every night.  The author of this blog is currently in the British Virgin Islands covering the BVI spring regatta. I can't exactly call it a hardship assignment!

Harold and shipwright Aaron Snyder standing near the steam box

Our good friend Chuck Redman had a birthday on March 31 and Perry Burnham and Hope Kincaid Summitt baked him a cake! Photo by Perry, thanks!

Laurie Fullerton is hanging out in the BVI but we bumped into our good friend Dr. Robin Tattersoll..who has lived in Tortola a long time and has attended every BVI spring regatta - 40 years! He would be sailing this one but he had a bit of boat trouble...wish we could have watched a sailing great at the helm. Hopefully, next year!

The cat has mainly children on the rail plus a few adults. What a way to spend one's youth!

This photo was taken behind Dead Man's Chest...you know yo,ho,ho and a buttle of rum.

The BVI's most important celebrity Sir Richard Branson of Virgin Airways and Virgin Atlantic fame. This photo was taken from a small boat looking up. A few minutes later, the crew hoisted a giant spinnaker...Branson is a well-liked local here and seems pretty down to earth - at least when he is not planning to go into outer space.

Another Busy Saturday and the Progress is Going Great

A plank just on, Harold is looking at it for a moment

A great job done today (Saturday!)

Daisy is trying to catch some afternoon warmth but it was cold today!

Harold talks with our visitors - who may return next week to work!

Today has been a busy Saturday but a bit too cold for visitors. The shipwrights got a total of four planks on today and the boat is really coming together. By the end of next week, planking will likely be nearing completion. We hope to have that whiskey plank party soon after so stay tuned for the annoucement!

Thanks for Stopping By...

George T of Essex dropped by the other day and offered some beautiful photos he had taken minutes earlier. Thank you George for stopping by!