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The Bloviator is the new Bomb Ketch of the French Squadron based in Port
Brique in the South Pacifique. Bomb ketches are not generally described as
‘graceful’ or ‘elegant’, but this black hulled mortar vessel is a particularly
ugly example. Her broad hull, though, is a perfect home to the twin mortars.
Built on the Durmstrang galleon hull, the Bloviator was a challenge to make.
I’d originally thought that the principle problem with the Durmstrang hull was
it’s short length, but I think the real problem is it’s squareness. I
experimented with various solutions to lengthen the hull, but found nothing
satisfactory. I ended up stretching it a little with the overhanging stern
gallery, and some SNOT slopes at the bow... but even so it is just too square.
Historically, Bomb Ketches where often converted from ship rigged (three masted)
vessels, with the foremast removed, and the forward hull reinforced to withstand
the force of the mortar(s). To partly make up for the loss of sail area due to
the missing foremast, the mainmast was extended upward, and due to the sheer
length and the need to keep forward rigging simple, the forestay was often a
chain.
I’ve tried to capture the somewhat ungainly rig of the bomb ketch in the
Bloviator, in part, I guess, to distract the viewer from the ungainliness of
the hull.
A slightly earlier version of the Bloviator was shown at Brickvention in June,
but the design has been altered, particularly around the bow (and with dark
grey, red and black, rather than the earlier black and red).
This is the earlier version:
Cheers
Richie Dulin
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Message has 1 Reply:
 | | Re: The Bomb Ketch Bloviator
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| Really nice. I escpecially love the stern. One question though, while the boat looks cool and adds a a bit of desperately needed length is it historical? Of course I may just be reading too much of the Aubrey/Maturin series as historical fact but I (...) (18 years ago, 23-Aug-06, to lugnet.pirates, FTX)
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