Fitting The Quarterdeck - Jotika H.M.S VICTORY 1805 Manual

Fitting the Quarterdeck

The 'quarterdeck' (446) as referred to during this stage of construction incorporates the forecastle (at the front), the
quarterdeck (at the rear) and the area in between often referred to as the waist or boat deck.
Glue (and pin as necessary) into position the quarterdeck camber beams (23 – 25, 27 & 33 – 37).
Note: their position either in front of or behind the bulkheads as shown on Plan Sheet 1, the top edge of the beams should be
level with the top edge of the bulkhead upright stubs, as shown Plan Sheet 1. Allow to dry thoroughly.
By this stage, all work on the upper gun deck should be completed (except the steam trunk, bitt pins and bitts). Check all
fixtures are secure, especially the gun carriages.
Remove the quarterdeck (446) from the 0.8m ply sheet and offer it into position. Do not glue into position. The first thing to
note is that the companionway to the Admirals dining cabin is offset, it is therefore important to fit the deck the right way up so
that the companionway is offset to port as shown on Plan Sheet 4. Make sure that the deck fits with ease, should there be no
tight spots, sand as necessary. Familiarise yourself with both fitting and removal of the deck. At this stage, note the position of
the steam trunk assembly and secure in place with super glue.
From the 1.5mm walnut sheet, remove the side linings (378) and the fore and aft linings (379) of the skid beam assembly, and
from the 5mm walnut sheet remove the skid beams (72). Glue the assembly together (Fig 008) so that it will fit into the
quarterdeck opening, the whole assembly should be painted black.
Note: two 0.7mm holes should be drilled (fore and aft) through the second from the front skid beam (33mm from the
centreline) and 0.7mm brass wire (10mm long) inserted through the holes and secured as shown. Again do not glue this
completed assembly in place.
Position the assembly into the opening and mark off where the beams lie under the ply deck. Drill into the deck using a 0.7mm
drill, also drilling part way into the under slung skid beams. Remove the skid beam assembly and put it to one side.
The quarterdeck can now be fitted. The reason for the familiarisation of the fitting of the quarterdeck is because although it is
fitted as one piece, it is done in several stages.
For the fitting of the quarterdeck, the following components will be required, the quarterdeck (446), the skid beam assembly,
the fore brace bitt pins (91 & 158), and the upper deck fore brace bitt (162).
Assemble the fore brace bitt pin assembly (using the upper deck fore brace bitt (162)) as shown (Fig 009).
Note: a hole (sheave for the fore yard brace) needs to be drilled fore to aft through the bitt pins (158) at a distance 16mm down
from the uppermost edge, the distance between the outer edges of the bitt pins should be 38mm and the quarterdeck fore brace
bitt (159) should not be used. This whole assembly should be painted black.
Using PVA and pins, locate and glue into position the quarterdeck from bulkhead (18) to bulkhead (13). It should be possible
to lift the forward end of the quarterdeck to allow the skid beam assembly and bitt pin assembly to be positioned from
underneath, do not glue them into position at this stage.
Temporarily position the skid beam assembly in the quarterdeck opening and check that the quarterdeck will still lie true to the
bulkhead camber beams with the assembly in place, sand as necessary. When you are completely satisfied with the fit, glue and
pin the skid beam assembly in place, it is essential that the assembly is permanently secured. Do not be concerned by the
excess material of the skid beam surrounds standing proud of the ply deck, this will be dealt with at a later stage.
Now, apply glue to the remainder of the bulkhead camber beams (12 to 1) and also to the base of the bitt pin assembly. The bitt
pin assembly is to be pushed up through the quarterdeck and at the same time lower the quarterdeck down into position. Make
full use of pins and glue to secure.
When thoroughly dry, the upper deck fore brace bitt pins (91) and bitt (162) can be assembled and fitted as shown on Plan
Sheet 3 & 5. Again the distance between the outer edges of the bitt pins should be 38mm. This whole assembly should be
painted black.
Fig 009
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