Page 155 - Nicolaes Witsen & Shipbuilding in the Dutch Golden Age

88. Make the Waterboard on the Forecastle
Waterboard was another word for “waterway” and was the plank lying flat on the dec k beams in the s ides. Appar- ently this word was used only for the upperm ost decks, and Witsen is very consistent in his use of the term. If we can judge from his illustration of it (see fig. 2.186) in sec- tion 89 ( As also the W aterboard in the U pper Cabin, lay the Deck Beams against it, with the Ledges), there was no difference in shape between the waterway and the waterboard; yet it was called this only for the forecastle, the steering stand, and on top of the upper cabin.
89. As also the Waterboard in the Upper Cabin, lay the Deck Beams against it, with the Ledges.
(56 I 22) The ledges of the Upper Cabin are as long as the deck beams, The planks of the upper cabin are as thick as the waterboard.
89. As Also the Waterboard in the Upper Cabin, Lay the Deck Beams against It, with the Ledges
When laying the lower dec k beams, first the dec k clamp was made, then the dec k beams, and lastly the water- way. When laying the deck beams of the upper deck, the forecastle, and the steering st and and c abin, the dec k beams were laid first, followed by the deck clamp and the waterway.
According to Witsen’s text, fi rst the wa terboard was placed, then the dec k beams set against it from below , and finally the deck clamp. The reason for the differenc e in procedure with the lower dec ks remains a c omplete mystery and sounds almost impossible.
The deck beams of the upper c abin were one third of the thickness of the stem and h ad a much more pro- nounced camber than the deck beams of the lower deck. The general rule was that the deck had more camber and was thus more convex the higher it lay.
90. Make the Deck Clamp and other Ceiling.
90. Make the Deck Clamp and Other Ceiling
After the deck beams had been placed against the water- board on chocks, the deck clamps and the ceiling under- neath were placed and nailed. The deck clamps were one sixth of the thickness of the stem.
How Ships Are Built in Holland Today
foremost deck beam lies 5 feet 5 inches high in the side, 7 feet and 8 in. farther aft, itis high 6 feet 2 inches in the side, and there a small beam lies between two large ones, to the back of the bulkhead lies a ledge. The deck beams have a camber of 1 51⁄2 in. on a length of 14 1⁄2 feet, the deck beams thick 3 in., broad 4 in., the foremost high 5 feet in the side, the knees broad 5 inches, the deck clamp thick11⁄2 inches.Theledgesthick andbroad2inches, between each deck beam 3 ledges, the schildje [probably a small grating to allow air and light into the upper cabin]isbroad8inches,thick3inches,inw hichare4 holes, wide 3 inches, and it stands behind the third deck beam, 13 inches.
(81 I 24) 1. The Waterboard is long 17 feet, broad 6 inches, thick 2 inches.
2. Forward in the side high 5 feet, aft 61⁄2 feet.
3. The deck beams have a camber of 13 inches, are thick 3 inches, broad 4 inches.
4. The ledges lie between each deck beam, and are thick 11⁄2 inches, broad 2 inches.
5. Faired with 1⁄4 inch planks.
6.Theknees,long31⁄2 feet.Thebills,long2feet3 inches, broad 5 inches, thick 4 inches.
Aft, for light on board, square deck lights, or round open holes are made, and above also a grating.
7. Aft the ceiling planks are pierced for muskets
8. And the ceiling is made of 1⁄4-inch planks.
9. The bulkhead, next to the door, is also pierced for
muskets.
10. The door wide 3 feet 6 inches. The posts, broad
31⁄2 inches, thick 3 inches.
11. The arch, high 13 inches, broad 3 1⁄2 inches, thick
3 inches.
12. The gunports, wide 141⁄2 inches, high 131⁄2 inches. (88 II 13) The waterboard is broad 6 inches, thick
2inches,thedeckbeamslieagainstitfrombelow ,the
Figure 2.186.
Plate XXXIII. Waterboard on the cabin.
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