| 'PALMIR' |
A four-masted barque, was one of the famous Flying P-Liner sailing ships of
the German shipping company F. Laeisz. She was the last commercial sailing
ship to round Cape Horn, in 1949. By 1957 she had been outmoded by
modern bulk carriers and could not operate at a profit. Her shipping
consortium's inability to finance much-needed repairs or to recruit sufficient
sail-trained officers caused severe technical difficulties. On 21 September
1957 she was caught in Hurricane Carrie and sank off the Azores, with only
six survivors rescued after an extensive search.
She was built at the Blohm & Voss shipyards in Hamburg, launched on 29
July 1905. She had a steel hull and displacement of 3,020 GRT (2,777 net). She
had an overall length of 114.5 m (375 ft), a beam of about 14 m (46 ft) and a
draught of 7.25 m (23.5 ft). Three masts stood 51.2 m (168 ft) above deck and
the main yard was 28 m (92 ft) wide. She carried 3,800 m² (40,900 ft²) of sails
and could reach a top speed of 16 knots (30 km/h). Her regular cruise speed
was around 8-9 knots.
the German shipping company F. Laeisz. She was the last commercial sailing
ship to round Cape Horn, in 1949. By 1957 she had been outmoded by
modern bulk carriers and could not operate at a profit. Her shipping
consortium's inability to finance much-needed repairs or to recruit sufficient
sail-trained officers caused severe technical difficulties. On 21 September
1957 she was caught in Hurricane Carrie and sank off the Azores, with only
six survivors rescued after an extensive search.
She was built at the Blohm & Voss shipyards in Hamburg, launched on 29
July 1905. She had a steel hull and displacement of 3,020 GRT (2,777 net). She
had an overall length of 114.5 m (375 ft), a beam of about 14 m (46 ft) and a
draught of 7.25 m (23.5 ft). Three masts stood 51.2 m (168 ft) above deck and
the main yard was 28 m (92 ft) wide. She carried 3,800 m² (40,900 ft²) of sails
and could reach a top speed of 16 knots (30 km/h). Her regular cruise speed
was around 8-9 knots.
Model Ship building is a bit out of character for me as I mainly do airplanes
and cars. However, a very good friend of mine asked me to restore this
wooden sailing ship model for him. His Grandfather built it back in the '50s
and he wanted to save it. Knowing nothing about Sailing Ships and restoring
wooden boat models, I was hesitant to do it but finally agreed. I had to do
lots of research on how to rig a sailing ship and make nautical knots. I saved
and restored as much of the original pieces as I could. What I could not save I
fabricated and if I could not do that, I bought new.
The Hull, Deck Cabins, Masts and Yard Arms are restored originals. The Dead
Eyes, Deck, Stairs/Railings, Ship's Wheels and all Rigging are new. I polished
all the Brass Parts. Hull was sanded and re-painted.
and cars. However, a very good friend of mine asked me to restore this
wooden sailing ship model for him. His Grandfather built it back in the '50s
and he wanted to save it. Knowing nothing about Sailing Ships and restoring
wooden boat models, I was hesitant to do it but finally agreed. I had to do
lots of research on how to rig a sailing ship and make nautical knots. I saved
and restored as much of the original pieces as I could. What I could not save I
fabricated and if I could not do that, I bought new.
The Hull, Deck Cabins, Masts and Yard Arms are restored originals. The Dead
Eyes, Deck, Stairs/Railings, Ship's Wheels and all Rigging are new. I polished
all the Brass Parts. Hull was sanded and re-painted.
What it looked like. I took great care while disassembling as not to break
anything. I was lucky. Most of the old glue had dried out and came apart
rather easy.
anything. I was lucky. Most of the old glue had dried out and came apart
rather easy.
I made new pockets for the Masts.
Moved it to the Kitchen Island to do the Rigging and final assembly.
Getting it packed and ready to go.
Took it outside for some photos. The Lake would have been great but too big to
take over there.....
take over there.....
