Page 139 - Nicolaes Witsen & Shipbuilding in the Dutch Golden Age

79. Then the Cross of the Cabin and the Bulkhead Is Made
Planks were n ailed to the cros s of the fl at of the stern (or the upper tran som), to which the escutcheon was at- tached. Before this could be done, a number of timbers had to be pl aced abaft the stern timbers, en abling the stern to project aft of the wing transom. This extra length of the ship had already been taken into account with the placement of the wales, filling strakes, sheer rail, and up- per planking, and the l ast parts of the fr ames were u n- doubtedly placed at this stage (see section 62, Hereafter it is done up outside, with W ales, Filling Strakes and Sheer rails, Washstrake, Vertuining and Railing).
The opening between the w ing transom and the fl oor of the cabin was closed with counter planks. Early on in the century this part was planked vertically, as the Wasa shows, but soon the counter was made to a hollow shape. Often a townscape was painted on this section when the ship was finished, or, in the case of ships of the Admiralty, a number of coats of arms. The counter and the flat of the stern above it were constructed with a number of counter timbers between the wing transom and the upper deck.
The closing of the stern w ill be de alt with in det ail with the finishing of the galdery (section 81, The Stern Gallery).
The bulkhead of the cabin separated this area from the steering stand in front of it. Two doors were often m ade in it so that guns c ould more easi ly be brought into the cabin to use through the re ar gunports underneath the stern windows. The pinas had no guns on the upper deck, so only one cabin door was necessary.
A trellis window was prov ided in the bulkhead, with a slide permitting the captain to keep an eye on the helms- man if he wished.
80. The Beakhead.
(60 I 41) Against the Ship, and the Beakhead at K [fig. 2.157], often a herm piece is made. Beakheads that are too long hinder ships because of their weight, which is why they are now made light and steep.
(286 I 18) Below the cathead at the Beakhead , stands a heavy herm piece, supporting it, when the anchor is raised with it.
How Ships Are Built in Holland Today
Figure 2.153. Plate XL. Counter timbers in the cross.
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