This is a 'fast forward' log of a model reconstruction of South Carolina, a ship of the fledgling Continental Navy. Her original name when launched was L'Egyptien.

This model is based on a plan in Amiral Paris' Souvenirs de la marine (below). While not entirely trustworthy, other sources used were Humphreys' notes and drawings that were taken off the vessel in dry dock in Philadelphia and the Admiralty survey after her capture. The hull was built by myself, and Greg Herbert is rigging her.

Originally designed by the Frenchman Jacques Boux and built in Amsterdam, she was too deep to be moved out over the shallow waters. Eventually she was emptied, sealed up and towed out on her beam ends to the Texel for fitting out. She was notable for Boux' signature vertical stern post and her heavy armament on a single deck. These were 28 40-pounders, with another twelve lighter 12-pounders on the weather deck.

She was the inspiration for Humphreys' signature heavy frigates such as the Constitution. South Carolina's design was flawed, with too little buoyancy fore and aft due to her unusually fine lines. Humphries improved on her lines and introduced diagonal riders to support the extreme length of his frigates.

The framing was of bulkhead construction as the hull is fully planked. To avoid distortion, a box beam was built into the framing. Note the transition from the clipper-like forefoot to the bluff bow at the waterline.

The wales are of dyed holly, topside plank of Castello boxwood and lower hull of holly.

Edited June 20Jun 20 by druxey

Humphries' 'taken off' sections match the lines in the Amiral Paris' image quite well. Once planked, the lack of buoyancy fore and aft is apparent, especially with 28 40-pounder cannon aboard.

As the model is so long, it required three rather than two pedestals. Once the underwater body was complete, it was mounted on the veneered and banded baseboard.

Edited June 20Jun 20 by druxey

Once the upper deck was planked, it was time for deck fittings. Most of these are based on the Bonhomme Richard monograph by Jean Boudriot. All metalwork is in brass, darkened but not blackened.

The capstans needed careful work while carving the recesses on their barrels. There were many gratings to be made. The basic grating material was made in bulk using a sled for the Byrnes' saw designed by Alan O'Neill. It was a quick and efficient process.

Edited June 20Jun 20 by druxey

There were many parts to be made for the gun carriages! There is a lot of metalwork on a Franco-Dutch ship.

Another problem to be solved was the 45 degree angled waterway. This was milled using a V-block to run square stock through in several passes.

The manger was straightforward to make. Note that the 'red' bulwarks are actually red ochre, not the bright red usually seen on models.

Edited June 20Jun 20 by druxey

The 40-pounders and 12-pounder guns were made and set aside. They were 3D printed from STL files. The carriage parts are laser-cut.

Before the forecastle deck could be made, the bowsprit was supplied by Greg, who was preparing the spars for the model. These were also based on those of the Bonhomme Richard monograph. The forecastle, quarter and poop decks were made off-model and slid into place later.

The 'parquet' for the captain's cabin would barely be visible in the completed model. This flooring was computer-generated and printed.

Edited June 20Jun 20 by druxey

The guns were rigged with their breechings. These were 3D printed from my drawing and file prepared by Alan. The carriages were cut from my own files. Both were manufactured by Chuck Passaro.

The breechings were pre-attached to the ringbolts. The main battery was then installed.

Next was the work at the stern. The Amiral Paris' image was entirely fanciful and impossible, so I adapted a typical French design of the period. Many card patterns were made a fitted before making the actual components of the stern. The floor of the stern gallery was made off-model before installation. All moldings were scratch-molded using pieces of hacksaw blade filed to the contour required.

Edited June 21Jun 21 by druxey

The French style pumps were installed with remaining upper deck fittings.

The upper quarter galleries were next. (These were removed as inadequate and revised later.) The tafferel base was patterned, then made from laminated stock to match the round aft.

Edited June 20Jun 20 by druxey

The various cabin bulkheads were designed, then laser cut from my files.

The stern balcony and quarter galleries were completed with laser-etched balustrades and lights. After developing projected patterns, these were made into a laser cutting file and cut for me by Chuck Passaro. The quarter pieces were hand-carved.

The double wheel was also 3D printed and fitted. Then the poop deck was slid in and permanently secured.

Edited June 21Jun 21 by druxey

Attention was now turned to the forecastle. As the headwork would not allow for conventional seats of ease, I took a hint from Amiral Paris. Illustrated were projecting semi-circular structures at forecastle level. These were too small to be conventional round-houses. So my conjectural reconstruction is seen below. This seems the only reasonable solution.

The catheads were installed outboard of the seats of ease. Planksheers and railings completed the topsides.

The broad waist gangways (as measured and recorded by Humphries) were made and companion ladders installed. Aft, the ensign staff holder and tafferel knees were added, as well as the other armament on the quarter deck and forecastle.

Edited June 20Jun 20 by druxey

It was now time to focus on the various outboard features. These included the fixed block for the main sheet far aft, other fixed blocks in the side, the port lids, scuppers, entry steps and port laniards.

The cables will have their anchors attached later during rigging.

Next was a lot of ironwork! The strange four-part fixtures are for the main sheet and are installed on the mizen channels. All the chains with their deadeyes, and stanchions were made from brass, silver soldered. Metalwork was darkened, not blackened. I have found full black to be too visually stark in a model. Brass 'antiquing' solution gives a deep brownish black that I now prefer.

Edited June 21Jun 21 by druxey

The headwork was tackled next. Again this was patterned after a typical French design. The cheeks were made and installed, followed by the main, middle and lower rails. The latter were simple pinned in place, while patterns were made for the head timbers. It was easier to add the double gammoning before final assembly of the headwork.

After the gammoning was in place, rack blocks were lashed to them.

Edited June 20Jun 20 by druxey

To complete the headwork, the boomkins were made and then the figure planned. This was a conventional Franco-Dutch style lion. It was carved from Castello boxwood.

Edited June 20Jun 20 by druxey

After this, tidying up remained before the model was shipped to Maryland for rigging. With the weight and size of this model, I added acrylic supports amidships for stability. To complete the hull, the lantern (also 3D printed from an STL file) was added.

The last photo shows the model about to be professionally crated for the trip. It gives one a good idea of the size of it!

Currently (June 2025) the model is being rigged.

Edited June 20Jun 20 by druxey

I don't think I have seen this one before, another beautiful model Druxey.

cheers

Pat

Edited June 24Jun 24 by Banyan

Thanks, Pat!

She’s a beauty! I’m sure the man from north Baltimore will do the rigging justice.

Edited June 25Jun 25 by trussben

A masterpiece, of course!

Like the very subtle contrast of box and holly planks, and quite an unusual hull shape! Not a surprise such lines did not catch on 😄 But any unusual evolutionary branches are always capturing imagination!

Really nice build log. It's always a big pleasure to see and learn from your work.

Thank you for your kind comments, gentlemen.

I once noticed some oddities in the original drawing. I'm glad that in the end the model was made along classic lines, and not according to the drawing. Excellent model, congratulations.👏