Plumbing the depths

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

Having failed to raise much interest in bigger ships, I have now hit rock bottom with a 20ft to 1 inch model of a 270-ton steel coal barge, complete with coal (real coal). I expect this will raise "screams of anguish" on account of both subject & rust – but I enjoyed doing it

Bob

[LARRY WHETTONParticipant @larrywhetton68737]

Hello Bob ,

At last a real dirty boat , let the toy boat builders eat cake....

all my boats get the weathered treatment,…….i dont care if upset the purist…

they are my boats … what is your rust treatment.?..

cheers Larry..

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

The rust is simply "rust paint" from a model shop applied with a stiff, dry brush. I quite often use real ust, but hadn't got any when I was ready to paint the barge.

To make real rust powder, just put some fine wire wool in a plastic tub of water (not covering the wool). It changes to rust powder in two or three days!

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

A new slant on your normal type of model, Bob……Nice one

Are you going to make the motive power that pulls the barge?

Horse?…..Tractor?……Humans?

Some ropes would be nice to see?

Must have been a right swine……..Getting the coal out?

Now for some water?

Bob

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

Not all that long ago, there were hundreds of such barges in the London docks. I didn't make this one up, I built it from a plan! In my early years at sea (1961/63) I spent some time in colliers and saw a lot of this sort of thing. Coal dust and grime all over the place and the grim drudgery of plodding up & down the North Sea in winter. The barge will go next to an anchored collier with a sailing barge also laid alongside.

Bob

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

Here I am on the bridge of the collier Wandsworth in 1962 – I am on the left, looking very young. Three years before, I was still at school! Looks very old-fashioned with all that brass and cables in the deckhead. She is now lying at the bottom of the sea in 2,000 fathoms, off Lisbon In 1968, as the Pietro Rembado , she was sunk in collision with the old Liberty ship Rio Tajo ex R F Peckham.

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Very nice, Bob

Is that a stripe on your right arm?…..If so, what does it denote?

Bob

ps………I find Liberty ships quite awesome…..Have you made one?

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

Yes, it was a single zig-zag stripe denoting a junior radio officer. Actually, the Wandsworth was my 4th ship and as I was the only radio officer, I should have worn two zig zags with a diamond in between, but felt that as it was only a collier, I would take my old uniform as I didn't want to ruin my best one with coal dust! Most of the time, I didn't bother with uniform at all and when I did, I didn't wear a tie! Sharp contrast with two years later when I was serving aboard the huge passenger liner RMS Windsor Castle!

Yes, I have made a couple of liberty ships.

Bob

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Although I have said this before, I thoroughly recommend Bob's two books on his career experiences:

Colliers to Castles

and

The Voyage is done: The Winds Don't Blow

You really feel you were there.

Colin

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

End result!

Bob

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

A very attractive and unusual diorama Bob. Just shows what can be done with apparently unpromising components.

Colin

[Peter FitnessParticipant @peterfitness34857]

Marvellous Bob.

Peter.

[Amy jane SeptemberParticipant @amyjaneseptember49770]

Great stuff Bob, I really like it!

[mike farrellParticipant @mikefarrell21522]

hi Bob ,love your skill but am enthralled by the photo of so long ago .Makes me wonder how long will the modern photos on computer and or disc will last . Certainly will not last as long .modern computers according a report I heard this morning will be outdated within 10 years

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

Thanks for replies. I wonder about photographs myself, but I feel sure that they will have to produce new computers that can still scan and handle old negatives, 35mm or larger and earlier formats. Also maintain jpeg capability.

As I get older, I realize that it doesn't really matter all that much what went on at sea even 50 years ago. I once thought I was preserving memories for future generations, but the sad fact is that the present younger generation could not care less about it, and future generations will care even less than that! With the exception of the enthusiasm for the "days of glory" when everyone took pride and honour in blasting each other to pieces with cannons, or carving strips off each other with cutlasses!

The peaceful (but often adventurous) activities of the Merchant Navy (whatever nationality) is all finished – washed up and confined to the past. Dumbed down to the extent where most people think that anything that floats is a "boat" even if it is a quarter of a million tons!

I am profoundly grateful that I was able to be part of it for over 31 years! My old captain phoned yesterday and we had some reminiscences of some great times, now sadly gone, but never to be forgotten as long as we live!

Bob

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

I took this diorama to the UPS agent in town on Monday 21st July at about 1000 bst. It arrived safely in Hong Kong today, Wednesday, 23rd July after a record passage across the world! Amazing!

Bob

[Dave_PParticipant @dave_p]

That is about as long as a first class letter from my employers in Scarborough to my home in Ashford, Kent often takes

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