Matthias Posted March 15, 2016 Dear beloved father, I must make a confession to you. First, let me tell you that I tried. I really tried. You know it was always my intention to take care of our family's farm. But as I returned home from service in His Majesty's army you and mother weren't alive any more. And the harvest was destroyed by rats and wild boars. I had no seeds to start new. What was I to do? Where was I to go? So with a heavy heart I sold the land, and from the money bought a small cog. She is no great vessel, but a solid one. And she is mine. Her dimensions are 30x8 units. What makes her special is her construction, she only consists of 1x4 planks, curved planks. Midships she is 2.5 units wider than at the stern. I had never before seen such a design. Like a typical cog, she has a forecastle, a crow's nest, and one large sail. She's not a mighty looking ship, and features no decoration. But father, the Gods were good to me. As I bought her, the Royal Navy chartered vessels throughout the city. At first nobody knew what for, but when the King's officers came to charter my ship, I was told that all ships would be sent to Terra Nova. But I wasn't told any details. However, I asked to be sent there, too, as I am an officer of the reserve, and to serve King and country is my duty. Also I had to make sure to be properly paid the charter costs for my ship. It's always good to be where your assets are. But that wasn't the end of the good news! The navy decided to arm my small cog, and I received four light cannons, plus they had my steering improved for the harsh conditions at sea. So here I am on this ship, we are where duty calls us to be. At the moment we are patroling along the coastline, protecting a place I don't really know the name of. Some say the island's name is Blueton, maybe it's true. I hope no battleship will ever attack my small vessel. But should we have to defend ourselves, I shall fight for King and faith, as I always have! Father, I'm handing this message in a bottle over to Poseidon and his will. May he lead it to you and mother - wherever you are. Your loving son Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Capt Wolf Posted March 16, 2016 Nice shape to the hull. I especially like the tile planking on the hull sides. Good story, too! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TitusV Posted March 16, 2016 Great boat! i really like her planked hull, and the stern! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jacob Nion Posted March 16, 2016 Neat little vessel! It's not easy to make a brick built hull of such size, great work! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BrickOn Posted March 16, 2016 (edited) A fine looking vessel, I think the effect you've achieved with brown 1x4s looks really good on her sides. I like the story too, especially the message in the bottle part, have a safe voyage. But I reckon with the wind blowing out that main sail those flags on top are definitely flying in an odd direction (and that's the extent of my current ship knowledge used up). Edited March 16, 2016 by BrickOn Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elostirion Posted March 16, 2016 Nice hull, well done! Great work on the water as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Captain Genaro Posted March 16, 2016 Very nice job on the ship. It's amazing to see the various angles and hull designs you can create with a bunch of simple bricks. The rest of the ship is nice as well, cannons, swivel guns, capstan, etc. are all excellent details that make the ship come alive. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blackdeathgr Posted March 16, 2016 I salute the terror of the pirating in the High Seas! May your voyages be safe and your aim accurate Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bregir Posted March 16, 2016 Lovely little patrol boat. I really like how the hull turned out and wonder if not you would grace us with a few pictures of the underlying construction? I particularly like the railings on the forecastle and the construction holding up the lanterns at the stern. The way the anchors are hung at the bows is really nice too, as are the brickbuilt guns. I am not too fond of the bowsprit-thingy, though. As to the rigging - it seems to me that she is somewhat underrigged with that one small square sail. And your those ropes (sheets) should probably go backwards, working against the wind. And normally, on a small singlemasted vessel like this would be fore-and-aft rigged (lateen, sloop or cutter rig) rather than square rigged. But that might be for your next vessel! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Matthias Posted March 16, 2016 (edited) Lovely little patrol boat. I really like how the hull turned out and wonder if not you would grace us with a few pictures of the underlying construction? I particularly like the railings on the forecastle and the construction holding up the lanterns at the stern. The way the anchors are hung at the bows is really nice too, as are the brickbuilt guns. I am not too fond of the bowsprit-thingy, though. As to the rigging - it seems to me that she is somewhat underrigged with that one small square sail. And your those ropes (sheets) should probably go backwards, working against the wind. And normally, on a small singlemasted vessel like this would be fore-and-aft rigged (lateen, sloop or cutter rig) rather than square rigged. But that might be for your next vessel! Thank you for your kind words. I made the sail like the sail is at a real cog, like the historic "Hanse Kogge Bremen". I am living in Bremen and so I want to make the sail as it is at this vessel. I know that it looks a bit strange, but that is as near as I can came. Thats the reason for the loney sail. ] I have all Lego Sails, but the next bigger sails looks way to big. And I don t like the homemade sails. So thats my solution. Lovely little patrol boat. I really like how the hull turned out and wonder if not you would grace us with a few pictures of the underlying construction? The underlying construction is easy to made, but hard to care of. I will post in April, I am in holiday, now Very nice job on the ship. It's amazing to see the various angles and hull designs you can create with a bunch of simple bricks. The rest of the ship is nice as well, cannons, swivel guns, capstan, etc. are all excellent details that make the ship come alive. Well, I nearly died because of the unnatural angles. Nothing suits to the angles. I had to try weeks for minimal progress. The curving of the planks was a horror too. I had to repair often, while building the rest of the ship. Edited March 16, 2016 by Matthias Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bregir Posted March 16, 2016 Ah, I now see what the bow is meant to be - it is actually quite accurate! I would still suggest experimenting with custom sails, but I respect your preferences. Well done! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gideon Posted March 17, 2016 Nice hull shaping! The mast however looks a bit too thick and short to me...? Good job with the photography, that backdrop is perfect! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VintageLegoEra Posted March 17, 2016 Congratulations mate!....this is indeed a well organized boat and has great details..:-). The story is very emotional. Cheers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Captain Becker Posted March 18, 2016 Sleek, elegant, well desinged boat overall! May we see closer look at the cannons? Captain Becker Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Captain Dee Posted March 21, 2016 Excellent story and build to match. I'm glad you posted the reference photo, because it shows just how good of a job you did in replicating the design in Lego form. The hull is beautiful, and while the mast may be a bit thick the rigging still looks pretty good overall. The forecastle and custom guns are nice. The water looks great, and the bottle thrown overboard is a neat story feature. I assume the grey slopes are a dorsal fin, and not rocks off the island? Good work, and good to see you active again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kolonialbeamter Posted March 21, 2016 Matthias, this is a very cool ship. Lovely technique, and pretty detailed for this size Good to see you back in action. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Matthias Posted March 23, 2016 (edited) Matthias, this is a very cool ship. Lovely technique, and pretty detailed for this size Good to see you back in action. Thank you very much Excellent story and build to match. I'm glad you posted the reference photo, because it shows just how good of a job you did in replicating the design in Lego form. The hull is beautiful, and while the mast may be a bit thick the rigging still looks pretty good overall. The forecastle and custom guns are nice. The water looks great, and the bottle thrown overboard is a neat story feature. I assume the grey slopes are a dorsal fin, and not rocks off the island? Good work, and good to see you active again. Yes it is a dorsal fin. The flatbricks arount them shall show the shadow of the shark, witch is under the waterline. Sleek, elegant, well desinged boat overall! May we see closer look at the cannons? Sure I will made on when I am back in my country. Edited March 23, 2016 by Matthias Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Puvel Posted March 23, 2016 Touching story and a fine vessel, great stuff! The background is excellent too, very fitting here Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Captain Green Hair Posted March 26, 2016 That's a strange looking vessel, but I like the hull. I think it would be better with a slightly taller mast, a bowsprit and a bow castle that is lower then the stern (I would suggest making the stern a bit higher). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
