Hull Planking Fastenings:
The Luna's hull planking is secured by a combination of locust
trunnel pegs which extend through the planking, framing, and ceiling,
and spikes, bronze below the waterline and galvanized iron above the
waterline. The planking seams
are horizontal and the planking butt is vertical, aligned with a
frame. These seams have been
reefed with handtools and circular power saws fitted with special
blades to remove all of the old caulking material and provide a clean
space for new caulking.
This photo shows original
material. The white oak planking has been sanded and power disced,
which has removed a small depth of old, rough surface.
The trunnels are so sound that the original wedges that were
driven into them to broaden their ends and secure them are clearly
visible. The bronze spike
heads seen here are square-headed and sit within wood that has been
slightly stained over 70 years by the tarnishing of the spikes.
Wood near spikes was disced rather than planed because the
spikes would damage power planes.
This is a view of the mid port
quarter bow area. In Febuary,
the entire surviving hull planking was coated with linseed oil to
prevent the planking from drying out and shrinking, which would have
caused overly wide seams for caulking.
If seams are too wide, the subsequent swelling upon immersion
in water can make recaulking difficult and less effective,
particularly when the seam closes and cracks the outside sealing
cement. |