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I finally finished my pirate vessel The Wobbegong last weekend.
As regular readers will doubtless know, this pirate vessel was being
constructed from a rather pirate-free Lego collection. It was loosely based
on the Black Sea Barracuda, but it got looser and looser as the parts became
less and less matching, both in shape and in colour.
The end result is a pirate ship that no self-respecting pirate would sail
in. However, this is OK as none of the pirates on The Wobbegone have any
respect for themselves or anyone else. My pirates all come from broken
homes, and like nothing better than killing people and then boasting about
it in seedy harbour bars. They aren't the kind of gentleman buccaneers who
sit around reading "Vogue Shipping" or "Boat Beautiful".
Seriously, the biggest problems with building a pirate ship without the
right parts are:
* the hull
* the masts
* the sails
* the ratlines
The hull. Actually I had a 16-stud-wide bow and stern, but no center
sections. If I hadn't had the bow and stern, I probably wouldn't have even
considered trying to build a pirate vessel at all. However, the lack of
centre sections wasn't a big deal. Thanks to Star Wars I had a lot of black
and dark grey inverse slopes and used them to build the centre hull
sections. Since that area is naturally shaded with any overhead lighting,
the colour matching isn't terribly important.
The masts. I had two from different sources, and one was way too short. The
masts are not well designed for extending. The mast pieces themselves seem
to be designed to only fit other mast pieces. It isn't possible to extend
them by inserting 2x2 rounds or similar because they just won't join
together. Grr. Since the mast terminates with a 4x4 plate, my only way to
make the mast higher was to build up underneath it, so I have one mast
mounted on a large pedestal. I needed a third mast for the bowsprit, so that
had to be built from 2x2 rounds with a couple of 2x4 plates interspersed to
provide points for connecting the sales (using 1x1 tool clips). The problem
with using 2x2 rounds is that lying on their side (as the bow sprit), they
fall apart all the time. Fortunately 2x2 rounds have a crosshair hole
through the centre, so I was able to reinforce them by putting a couple of
long technics axles down the centre of the mast.
The sails. Having no sails, it was clear I was going to have to make them.
This caused me to enter a Spotlight store in pursuit of some striped fabric
and some black cotton for the rigging. I realise that Spotlight stores are
probably places where lots of women hang out, but for me, it was a whole new
experience. I vaguely knew they sold dress material and craft items, but the
scale of the place overwhelmed me somewhat. (As Mel tells me, I don't get
out much!)0. There appeared to be 1000s of bolts of fabric, 1000s of spools
of thread of all kinds, and it was quite arduous to search through them all
to find something suitable. When I eventually happened upon a suitable
looking cloth, I bought too much, as I wasn't prepared to risk going in
there again!
Cutting sails was fairly easy for the sails that come off the yards. I just
started with a too-large rectangle and gradually whittled them down to about
the right shape. However, the jib sail has a lot of attachment points and
the precise positioning of the holes was more important than I realised. As
a consequence, the jib does not sit completely flat when I put the rigging
under tension. I had toyed with asking someone to scan their sails to give
me a pattern, but as I was using non-standard masts, I realised that I
wouldn't have been able to use the standard-shaped sails anyway.
The ratlines. I had a couple of ratlines (those brown lattice-shaped
structures that taper from bottom to top) but I needed 4 and I needed much
bigger ones. The ratlines were definitely the biggest problem. I fiddled
around with 1xN plates for a while but nothing was working. Eventually I
decided that any Lego solution was going to be too heavyweight, so I
attached a couple of horizontal bars (off the Model Team 4x4 Big Foot) to
the toolclips intended for the ratlines and rang cotton up and down between
them several times. I toyed with trying to put horizontal threads across in
some manner, but decided that the up-and-down cotton alone gives the right
effect at that scale, and left it at that. I think any attempt to tie knots
in the cotton would have just made it very messy, and caused the ratlines to
buckle.
The figurehead. Just for the record, the figurehead features the head and
torso of Princess Leia (from the Millennium Falcon) brandishing a small
silver knife and a wine goblet, representing the pirate's love of wine,
women, and violence. She is mounted on a a rocking-hinge so that she can lie
forward below the bowsprit. Curiously (or so it seems to me) the figurehead
of the Black Sea Barracuda is bolt upright. At this late stage, I realised
that I had forgotten to put coins under the mast (to pay the ferryman). Not
wishing to undo my rigging at this stage of proceedings, I compromised by
putting Leia's torso in a yellow life preserver. I felt this would represent
the pirate's confidence in the seaworthiness of their vessel :-)
I added a skeleton in a pirate cap (which came from the Flying Ninja
Fortress) hanging by the neck in a noose from the yards. I felt it would
send a clear message from my pirates: "Nobody laughs at The Wobbegong and
lives!".
Having set sail last weekend, the Wobbegong has since terrorised a number of
Islander communities, who are themselves recent immigrants from Melbourne.
These Islanders are now cursing the name of their former governor Sue Ann
Barber, who cast them out to fend for themselves on the pirate-ridden shores
of Brisbane. Their canoes and outriggers are no match for the cannons of the
Wobbegong; they pray to their gods of large carved stone heads, but to no
avail! Their pet monkey and parrots were ruthlessly stolen by the pirates to
adorn their accursed vessel!
Kerry
--
Kerry Raymond, Lady BUG
Lugnet Member #599
Mindstorms, Technics, Star Wars
Brisbane, Australia
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Any pictures? (And how can we help the ex-Melbourne islanders?)
ROSCO
Kerry Raymond <kerry@dstc.edu.au> wrote in message
news:GA4DJK.FCI@lugnet.com...
> I finally finished my pirate vessel The Wobbegong last weekend.
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> Any pictures? (And how can we help the ex-Melbourne islanders?)
I intend to try to get some pictures, but I have the world's worst digital
camera -- most close-up photos are too blurry to use. I might end up doing
35mm (since I've got a near-full roll to D&P anyway).
As for the Islanders? Well, what can I say? You were there; you stood by
while these innocent people were sold off like cattle in a market. None of
you MUGS gave any thought to their future in the pirate-ridden shores of
Queensland. None of you said "No, Sue Ann, don't do it! Can you really trust
Kerry not to build a pirate ship to prey upon these islanders?"
If you really want to help them, then I'm sure they'd be grateful for a
replacement monkey and parrot. If you want to keep those pirates from coming
back, perhaps you could send a few castles, purely for defensive purposes
you understand.
On second thoughts, I suppose I could give them Chewbacca; there'd be a lot
more meat on him than the monkey.
Kerry
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Hi!
I've xposted this to .pirates because, well, we in .pirates
love pirates and we love you (awwww) but a few of the .pirates
folks don't (gasp) check .loc.au...
In lugnet.loc.au, Kerry Raymond writes:
>
> > Any pictures? (And how can we help the ex-Melbourne islanders?)
>
> I intend to try to get some pictures, but I have the world's worst digital
> camera -- most close-up photos are too blurry to use. I might end up doing
> 35mm (since I've got a near-full roll to D&P anyway).
I'm looking forward to it! It's definitely and indubitably
true that a decent Pirate ship can be made without Piratey
bits.
> As for the Islanders? Well, what can I say? You were there; you stood by
> while these innocent people were sold off like cattle in a market. None of
> you MUGS gave any thought to their future in the pirate-ridden shores of
> Queensland. None of you said "No, Sue Ann, don't do it! Can you really trust
> Kerry not to build a pirate ship to prey upon these islanders?"
>
> If you really want to help them, then I'm sure they'd be grateful for a
> replacement monkey and parrot. If you want to keep those pirates from coming
> back, perhaps you could send a few castles, purely for defensive purposes
> you understand.
I'll see if I can find any zappy things when I get home.
Nuthin' says luvin' like superior firepower!
> On second thoughts, I suppose I could give them Chewbacca; there'd be a lot
> more meat on him than the monkey.
Yes, but monkeys don't smell like Wookiee. Perhaps a bit of
seafood (genus Jarjar, species Binkus) would be better...after
all, you've got the designer of the Patented Magnificent Jar
Jar Spit [tm] right there in your own backyard. Well, not
literally, unless Peter's had a bit of trouble with the rent.
[.pirates folks, read back in the thread for the ship descrip...]
best
Lindsay
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> I intend to try to get some pictures, but I have the world's worst digital
> camera -- most close-up photos are too blurry to use. I might end up doing
> 35mm (since I've got a near-full roll to D&P anyway).
I managed to get 2 just-usable digital pictures (and a lot of un-usable
ones -- my macro mode is useless!). See them at:
http://archive.dstc.edu.au/AU/staff/kerry-raymond/my-lego/wobbegong.html
Kerry
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> I'm looking forward to it! It's definitely and indubitably
> true that a decent Pirate ship can be made without Piratey
> bits.
Well, I did have some piratey bits, but I generally agree with you that it
should be possible. However, what about the ratlines? I ended up with a
non-Lego solution there. Do you have a better Lego-based solution?
Kerry
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In lugnet.loc.au, Kerry Raymond writes:
> > I intend to try to get some pictures, but I have the world's worst digital
> > camera -- most close-up photos are too blurry to use. I might end up doing
> > 35mm (since I've got a near-full roll to D&P anyway).
>
> I managed to get 2 just-usable digital pictures (and a lot of un-usable
> ones -- my macro mode is useless!). See them at:
>
> http://archive.dstc.edu.au/AU/staff/kerry-raymond/my-lego/wobbegong.html
Looks good, even though you said you don't have much pirate Lego, you have
managed to make a pretty convincing pirate ship.
Looking forward to some more pictures from your real camera.
Martin (S)
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In lugnet.loc.au, Kerry Raymond writes:
> I finally finished my pirate vessel The Wobbegong last weekend.
http://news.lugnet.com/jump.cgi?http://archive.dstc.edu.au/AU/staff/kerry-raymond/my-lego/wobbegong.html
Congrats. I particularly liked the skeleton hangng from the halyard(?).
Pirates in Brisbane eh? Sounds like a job for <<pause and flourish>> Captain
Sheridan of the Agamemnon (http://www.hinet.net.au/~rparsons/port/aga/) of
Port Block ;-)
> Seriously, the biggest problems with building a pirate ship without the
> right parts are:
>
> * the hull
> * the masts
> * the sails
> * the ratlines
This is a cackle - what else is there to a pirate ship, apart from the odd
vertical wall and bit of horizontal deck :-)
See everyone - you don't have to have a ton of pirate gear to get into
pirates. Here the main thing was apparently the bow and stern, and most
pirateheads who build big ships have an odd bow and stern to spare (just no
centre sections ;-)
Nice work Kerry.
Richard
Still baldly going...
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> Congrats. I particularly liked the skeleton hangng from the halyard(?).
Yes, it wasn't just the Islanders that suffered at the hands of the pirates
on the Wobbegong. The Flying Ninja Fortress was also raided and lost their
red-capped skeleton and all those ninja-blue-with-gold hatch covers. Fort
Legoredo also suffered considerably; the entire rear side (the jail side)
was demolished for windows, while the US cavalary lost guns, swords, and
their cannon.
Reflecting their superior firepower, the USS Kittyhawk and a number of Star
Wars spaceships managed to hold back the maurading pirates and their vessels
remain unplundered. (Princess Leia had previously been captured and was
cryosealed in a plastic bag; I'm sure she didn't feel any pain when her legs
were removed to turn her into a figurehead).
> This is a cackle - what else is there to a pirate ship, apart from the odd
> vertical wall and bit of horizontal deck :-)
Well, in the case of the Black Sea Barracuda, the walls and deck actually
aren't vertical! And there's a host of other items that just didn't come
readily to hand in my collection: windows, doors, the fence pieces to hold
the cannons in places, the tall slopes (normal and inverse), the decorative
pieces over the window areas, etc. However, most of them I could finesse,
except for the doors. As the consequence, the Wobbegong has doorways instead
of doors.
> See everyone - you don't have to have a ton of pirate gear to get into
> pirates. Here the main thing was apparently the bow and stern, and most
> pirateheads who build big ships have an odd bow and stern to spare (just • no
> centre sections ;-)
Actually, what I had meant was that the possession of a bow and stern
inspired me to try to build a large pirate ship. If I hadn't had them, I
probably would have built something else. I actually think you could build a
bow & stern using conventional bricks, albeit with some pixelation.
Admittedly it would be easier with a real bow/stern in your hand at the time
for detailed examination. You could build masts entirely out of 2x2 rounds,
but you would need a lot more 2x2 rounds than I possess to build all the
masts that way. You could use 2x2 squares for the lower parts of the mast,
but the problem would be that they would probably become unstable at mast
heights, and unlike the 2x2 round, there is no way to reinforce 2x2 squares
with technic axles. Given that the weight of the spars is all on one side of
the mast, mast stability is a consideration. However, you may be able to use
cotton rigging to add stability. However, I had a mast and a half so I
didn't have to go down that road.
Historical trivia, did you know that ...
one of the reasons that the English navy wopped the Spanish Armada and
various others related largely to the amount of sail the English ships could
carry. One of the limiting factors here is the height of the mast. For
strength, masts have to be a single piece (not spliced together). So, naval
superiority was directly related to the availability of very tall very
straight very strong trees. The English had good political relations with
Norway at this time, and Norway was a major source of tall straight strong
trees. It was this same source of timber that had enabled the Vikings to
build their ships earlier.
Kerry
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In lugnet.loc.au, Kerry Raymond writes:
>
> Actually, what I had meant was that the possession of a bow and stern
> inspired me to try to build a large pirate ship. If I hadn't had them, I
> probably would have built something else. I actually think you could build a
> bow & stern using conventional bricks, albeit with some pixelation.
Indeed. Just look at the "Indescribable" and friends!!
ROSCO
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In lugnet.loc.au, Kerry Raymond writes:
> You could build masts entirely out of 2x2 rounds,
> but you would need a lot more 2x2 rounds than I possess to build all the
> masts that way. You could use 2x2 squares for the lower parts of the mast,
> but the problem would be that they would probably become unstable at mast
> heights, and unlike the 2x2 round, there is no way to reinforce 2x2 squares
> with technic axles. Given that the weight of the spars is all on one side of
> the mast, mast stability is a consideration.
I've done masts with technic beams mounted on end. Side by side for thicker
sections, single beam for thinner ones and bowsprits. My current pirate
ship, the Revenge (captained by one Dread Pirate Roberts), is twin masted
(from two flybos) and has a technic bowsprit.
In the mid-late seventies, I build several pirate ships using the old blue
train tracks for masts.
There's also the USS Constution method to consider (2x plates iirc).
> However, you may be able to use cotton rigging to add stability.
Just like real rigging!
Cheers
Richie Dulin
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In lugnet.loc.au, Richie Dulin writes:
> My current pirate ship, the Revenge (captained by one Dread Pirate Roberts)
Is that THE Dread Pirate Roberts?
Do you have Miracle Max on board as well?
Martin
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In lugnet.loc.au, Martin Scragg writes:
> Is that THE Dread Pirate Roberts?
Well, as much THE as any Dread Pirate Roberts is ;-)
Black legs, black torso, black hands, "Errol Flynn" head, black head skarf
(obviously, this is after he took of the mask).
> Do you have Miracle Max on board as well?
Inconceivable!
Cheers
Richie
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In lugnet.loc.au, Kerry Raymond writes:
>
> I managed to get 2 just-usable digital pictures (and a lot of un-usable
> ones -- my macro mode is useless!). See them at:
>
> http://archive.dstc.edu.au/AU/staff/kerry-raymond/my-lego/wobbegong.html
Good work, Kerry, it certainly looks like a pirate ship should.
Those sails worked out OK, you might have to corner the market on that
material.
pete.w
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In lugnet.loc.au, Martin Scragg writes:
>
> In lugnet.loc.au, Richie Dulin writes:
> >
> > My current pirate ship, the Revenge
> > (captained by one Dread Pirate Roberts)
>
> Is that THE Dread Pirate Roberts?
I just thought of how to build a "Dread Pirate Roberts"
Lego minifig in real life (if you're willing to do
a minor amount of "artistic re-touching").
First, take a classic "sunglasses" minifig head,
paint small white eyeholes (one on each of the "lenses")
as well as a pointed moustache (in brown).
Then, take an unpainted black torso, and paint
a thin white outline of the shirt's collar,
and then paint the yellow neckline.
Then, after the paint is all dry, assemble the appropriate
other parts (black legs and black head-scarf).
For inspiration, may I provide the following Lego-CAD imagery:
"http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/fwcain/npcs/dread_pirate_roberts.gif"
"http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/fwcain/npcs/dread_pirate_roberts.jpg"
(The next time I do a trade with craigo-lego,
I may have to ask him to do this for me... ;-)
Hope this helps. Please LMKWYT.
Thanks,
Franklin
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> I finally finished my pirate vessel The Wobbegong last weekend.
Inevitably those who live by the sword die by the sword!
Last weekend the crew of the Wobbegong were beheaded by a band of marauding
women. The Wobbegong is now in the possession of a new all-female crew.
Being a bunch of house-proud little piratesses, they have installed a
stylish new ship's wheel that they found in a diver's net. They are
considering installing a few cabin doors for their personal modesty.
Fooled by these feminine touches, the Islanders are now bowing and scraping
in the hope of appealing to the new crew to return their monkey and parrot.
Alas, these maidens might externally be the comely type with red pursed
lips, but they have hearts as black as flint. They are sharpening their
cutlasses for the feast of roast monkey planned for this very night! And the
parrot will provide many a brightly-coloured feather to decorate their caps!
Then tomorrow, they shall set sail for Belville world where they shall storm
the castle, kill the pink fairies, and carry off the prince to be their
plaything. They will also steal the cat; every ship needs a ship's cat!
Kerry
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In lugnet.loc.au, Kerry Raymond writes:
>
> > I finally finished my pirate vessel The Wobbegong last weekend.
> Inevitably those who live by the sword die by the sword!
> Then tomorrow, they shall set sail for Belville world where they shall storm
> the castle, kill the pink fairies, and carry off the prince to be their
> plaything. They will also steal the cat; every ship needs a ship's cat!
"Awww, the faeries bring us luck, kill 'em, kill 'em all"
-The mad scottish groundskeeper Willie, The Simpsons
Cat, Kitten or Target? You decide!
James (who thought he'd share that with you all...)
P.S. For reference, stay away from http://news.lugnet.com/pirates/?n=1034
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In lugnet.loc.au, Kerry Raymond writes:
>
> Inevitably those who live by the sword die by the sword!
Or die by being sawed.
> Last weekend the crew of the Wobbegong were beheaded by a band of marauding
> women. The Wobbegong is now in the possession of a new all-female crew.
> Being a bunch of house-proud little piratesses, they have installed a
> stylish new ship's wheel that they found in a diver's net. They are
> considering installing a few cabin doors for their personal modesty.
At the Nepean River Bend Sink Hole, Red Beard the (female) pirate has been
recruiting females for crewing the Red Beard Rutter. Those red hulls are
kind of hard to come by, but wenches are in good supply, seeing the govt is
funding a retraining scheme for Church of S employees.
> Fooled by these feminine touches, the Islanders are now bowing and scraping
> in the hope of appealing to the new crew to return their monkey and parrot.
> Alas, these maidens might externally be the comely type with red pursed
> lips, but they have hearts as black as flint. They are sharpening their
> cutlasses for the feast of roast monkey planned for this very night! And the
> parrot will provide many a brightly-coloured feather to decorate their caps!
Maybe the Islanders can feed on the torsos of the ex-crew.
> Then tomorrow, they shall set sail for Belville world where they shall storm
> the castle, kill the pink fairies, and carry off the prince to be their
> plaything. They will also steal the cat; every ship needs a ship's cat!
I wouldn't eat those fairies, unless there is something inside that hard shell.
Whereas Belville bodies seem nice and tender.
Once the hair and feathers are gone, monkeys and parrots aren't a feast.
pete.w (not the fire chef)
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In lugnet.loc.au, Kerry Raymond writes:
> > I intend to try to get some pictures, but I have the world's worst digital
> > camera -- most close-up photos are too blurry to use. I might end up doing
> > 35mm (since I've got a near-full roll to D&P anyway).
>
> I managed to get 2 just-usable digital pictures (and a lot of un-usable
> ones -- my macro mode is useless!). See them at:
>
> http://archive.dstc.edu.au/AU/staff/kerry-raymond/my-lego/wobbegong.html
>
>
>
> Kerry
thank you! I am out of words at the moment... It is so good to see a that
a pirate ship can be made from semi available parts. I want to do a
Fabuland one and have been stimied from lack of parts and just plain not
knowing how to begin. Your pictures and blow by blow of construction
details will be most helpful. I could crew it with Renagade Rabbits.
sheree
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> Maybe the Islanders can feed on the torsos of the ex-crew.
No, only the heads.
The attack was made by a group of female heads (thanks Eli!). When they
rolled by and saw poor Princess Leia cut off at the waist for a figurehead,
they were angered and they determined to avenge her. After beheading the
male crew, the female heads attached themselves to the still-twitching
torsos to form the new Frankenstein Femme Fatale crew of the Wobbegong.
Admittedly there was a bit of a scragg fight over who got the most
highly-prized torso, the one with the wooden leg :-)
The Wobbegong sailed to Mel's house on Sunday for the BUGS meeting but sadly
Mel didn't provide any minifig food, so the piratesses moved the skeleton so
it hung from the bowsprit as bait for the local sharks. And indeed minutes
later they were rewarded when a shark leapt up and bit the skeleton getting
the leg stuck in the shark's throat . So, the Wobbegong sailed back to Port
Dining Table (its home berth) with the shark still thrashing about, hanging
off the bowsprit. It will be fish and chips for all on the Wobbegong
tonight!
Kerry
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