Build log · Phase 9, Planking the upper deck

Starting on the upper deck

13 December 2020

After the cleats in the waist I could finally start on the upper deck. I sanded the deck beams and put them in place, then cut the deck to size and laid everything down loose. Nothing glued yet, because once the deck is fixed I can barely get at the gun deck, if at all. So this is the moment to take one last good look and check I haven’t forgotten anything.

The upper deck cut to size and laid loose on the deck beams
The upper deck cut to size and laid loose on the deck beams

The second photo gives a fair impression of how the gun deck will sit under the upper deck later on. Of all the work on the guns, the pumps, the capstan and the stove, only what you can see through the waist and the gratings will remain visible. I knew that beforehand, but it still feels strange to put a lid on it.

A look at the gun deck with the loose upper deck on top
A look at the gun deck with the loose upper deck on top

The deck itself still has to be planked entirely, and that produces a fair amount of mess that I would rather keep off the gun deck. First glue the deck beams, that is the next step.