THE SHIP’S LONGBOAT 1680-1780

In monographs, ships boats are generally considered as simple elements of a ship's furniture and are not the object of any special attention.

In his book about the 74-gun ship of 1780, Jean Boudriot included a description of the longboat, but did not go into great detail because it was not the central subject of his book.

The longboat was really the all-around servant in a vessel : carrying supplies, moving anchors, carrying water when in campaign, carrying landing parties in coastal raids, transporting officers and VIP's, towing when becalmed, and many other tasks.

The longboat may be adapted to all these missions but no drawing has shown it in these various situations until now.

ANCRE publishers wished to fill this need by offering to interested fans a study which, without being exhaustive, covered all aspects of the subject. The study proposed by J-C. Lemineur is centered on a 36-foot longboat. This length is that of a master longboat arming first-rate vessels in the 17th century, such as L'AMBITIEUX of 1680, but also 18th century 74-gun ships whose dimensions had increased over the years.

A lack of evolution resulted in its preserving its structural characteristics over a period from 1680 to about 1780.

The boat's construction and the details of the framing are described in the book, as well as the four different types of rigging used in the French Royal Navy : the square rig, the lug rig, spritsail rig, and lateen rig.

It is shown both under sail and under oars, or as a ceremonial boat. It may be configured at will according to anybody's taste and may lead to many different personnalized models.

The present monograph provides descriptions about anchor handling by longboats, in particular anchoring and moving second bower anchors, and finally their loading aboard ship and their launching.

The text is complemented by six 3-dimentional illustrations showing these maneuvers, something that will help modelers design dioramas.

Chapter 4 adds a thoroughly commented photographic coverage of the start of the construction and the early steps in the construction of a model by two modelers, each describing a different method for the frame construction.

It is possible to build the model at three different scales : 1/24, 1/36 (plates in the pamphlet and one 23x92 cm plate) and 1/48 5 plates in the pamphlet).

ORGANIZATION OF THE BOOK

Translated by François Fougerat

I GENERAL

The role and physical aspect of longboats

The role and physical aspect of small boats

Number of thwarts according to length

Boat allotment on ships of the French Royal Navy

Types of rig on ships' boats

Square rig, lug rig, spritsail rig, lateen rig.

Tables

Boat length according to ships rates

Boat length according to ships hull lines

Number of thwarts, masts and rowing style according to length

Boat allotment on ships of the French Royal Navy

Dimensions of masts and yards according to rig type

II  Explanations of the 15 plates (plates reduced to the 1/38 and 1/48 scales)

III Handling of the anchors and of the longboat

Anchoring

loading the hawser and the second bower anchor prior to anchoring

loading and carrying the kedge anchor

The longboat is hauled to the second bower anchor site

The longboat returns with the kedge anchor

Dragging and lifting the second bower anchor

Hoisting and launching the longboat

Rigging to support the yards

IV Photo coverage

Start of construction of a model according to Henri Defresne’s method
Start of construction of a model according to Franco Fissore’s method

LIST OF 1/24-SCALE PLANS

Pl. 1 Schematic lines plan

Pl. 2 Elevation view – plan view – body plans

Pl. 3 Longitudinal section – plan view – body plan

Pl. 4 Perspective view detailing the assembly of the stem and stern to the         keel

Pl. 5 Profile of forward frames

Pl. 6 Profile of after frames

Pl. 7 Square rig (92x61 cm)

Pl. 8 lug rig (92x61 cm)

Pl. 9 spritsail rig (92x61 cm)

Pl. 10 lateen rig (92x61 cm)

Pl. 11 Perspective view of the longboat with lateen rig (69x61 cm)

Pl. 12 Perspective view of the longboat under oars and with its canopy

Pl. 13 Ceremonial longboat

Pl. 14 Furniture

Pl. 15 Detail of the rigs at the 1/36 scale

Author : JC LEMINEUR Translated by François Fougerat