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Ernestina Logbook Page

Date: Monday, August 12, 2002
Ernestina at DN Kelley Shipyard in Fairhaven, MA

 
Schooner Ernestina is hauled out at Kelley's.

We are now finally turning the corner on the work and starting to put things back together. After working closely with US Coast Guard and conferring with shipwrights and builders from Essex to Martha's Vineyard and down east to Maine, we have a clear plan of action that will include 18 - 20 keel bolts bolting through keelson, frames, keel and false keel every 4' or less from bow through the engine room.

All the way aft where the bolts would have to be more than 60", drifts will be put in instead which use 3/4" rod driven into tight holes with clench rings and peened over ends to form the head. We will also be using drifts and lag bolts to strengthen the floor timbers.

We sincerely appreciate all the volunteer help and professional advice we've gotten during the past few weeks.

We'll be posting the fastening plan on this site in the next couple days that shows where new metal is going in.

Captains: Sophie Morse and Amanda Madeira

Schooner Ernestina on the ways at Kelley Shipyard.

Paul Anthony came by to lend an hand on the countersinking for the bolts.

Louise Anthony chisels out for the keel bolt fastenings.

Existing keel bolt and drift samples pulled from the fo'c's'le and fish hold. The constriction at the right hand end of the bolts in the image above show the deterioration of the metal. This occured at the top of the keel. Many of the bolts appear to be the original Swedish Iron that was used for the fastenings in 1894. Drifts and some bolts were also installed in Cape Verde in the late 1970s/early 80s.

Galvanized steel rod that will be used for drifts (3/4" dia) and bolts (1" dia)

USCG inspectors have been working with Schooner Ernestina captains to develop a plan. Here everyone takes a look at the careful photographic record developed over the past ten years.

Shipwrights from Tony Marques crew drill up into the engine room for five of the keel bolts. Many of Tony's crew live locally and originally came to New Bedford from Madeira.

Mate Liz Maloney and Chief Mate Erica Sachs chisel out for the countersinks for the keel bolts.

Dave Monk and Capt. Tommy Grace lend a hand with Capt. Amanda Madeira.

Bilge pumps and fire pumps go off to RA Mitchell for inspection. Significant pitting was found in the bilge pump housing and it will be replaced. This is a result of galvanic attack that is remedied through the installation of sacrificial zincs on the hull. We are also investigating to see if there were any aggravating factors in the State Pier area that may have led to 'stray currents.'

We would like to thank Lotus and IBM for donation of software, hardware and funding to enable regular electronic updates from the ship.

NOAA Chart is provided courtesy of Maptech using Cruising Navigator 4.3 and grabbing the image using Grabit Pro 6.02.

 
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Copyright 1997-2002
Schooner Ernestina
89 North Water Street, P.O. Box 2010, New Bedford, MA 02741-2010
phone 508.992.4900 -- fax 508.984.7719
www.ernestina.org

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