Several years ago, we made 4′ displays of mid-sections of the topmast, topsail yard, and club. Missing was a section of the 40’7″-long bowsprit. A visitor, Paul Batzle from the Pacific Northwest, noted this absence and sent us a 300 lb. freshly cut Douglas fir log. Until now, it has been aging for almost three years. Pictures show Bern shaping the log on Saturday to 14 3/8″ diameter. It now weighs 170 lbs.! Much of the weight loss is water, but as you can see chips were flying, too. Now for a little shellac and varnish.
Over the past several years, you have seen on our blog site the wonderful nickel plated parts we’ve received from RE Sturdy Company. This week we received our last shipment of plated parts from RE Sturdy Company along with a note that this 158-year-old family-owned business was closing.
We are humbled and honored to think that as they were struggling with NAFTA and free trade competition, and burdensome, inequitable regulations, taxes, fees, permits, and licenses, they would support our project. We thank the Perkins family for their generous support, and wish them well in their new endeavors.
The RELIANCE Project 