Pontoon Boat Adjunct for "Fire on the Rappahannock" - December 7-9, 2012

[Pvt_Sullivan]

Grumpy... here are a few pictures from our August 4-5 work weekend to whet your appetite...

Mike Doyle translated the drawings to dimensions and Brett Johnson did the measuring twice and cutting once. Laid out here are 10 of the 12 internal frames for one pontoon...



Each frame has four metal knee braces to hold it together. The first step was to line up the parts for one side and apply the the knee braces using 8 screws to secure it. Bob Wolfhope and James Owens are working here...



Next, after flipping the frame to the opposite side, holes needed to be drilled through the timbers so bolts could be passed through to secure both knee braces at each corner. Mike Paquette is drilling out the bolt holes here.



Then the remaining screws needed to have their pilot holes drilled and screwed into place to complete each frame. Joel Hummel is drilling pilot holes and Jacob Borror is driving home the screws.



There was also work done on saw horses to support our pontoons during further construction...



You all will note we're using modern tools to accomplish this work. We have a schedule to meet and although there is a great group of volunteers there are just not enough period hand drills or volunteers in the world to drill all the pilot holes necessary for this project. Our materials have been selected based upon the period specifications contained in Organization of the bridge equipage of the United States Army published in 1870. We've had to make some substitutes of materials (The knee braces are made of steel not iron) to keep our costs down but otherwise our pontoons are build to period specifications with correct materials.

You can follow the progress of the pontoon construction by checking in on our 15th NYS Engineer Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/382344998486011/

Our next work weekend is August 25-26 at the George Washington Foundations' Ferry Farm Historic Site in Stafford County, Virginia. We can use some additional hands in the project. If you are interested, please contact me via email at pete.berezuk@gmail.com

[GrumpyDave]

Ahhhh...my fix for the day.

[Alexander Vasquez]

Projects such as this sometimes makes me wish I lived in the East...kudos to you all for what appears to be an excellent, memorable experience!

Alexander Vasquez
Late of Co. C, 15 IA

[Pvt_Sullivan]

The second work weekend will be upon us shortly...

I've sent an update to the registered participants and interested parties. We will begin work at 9:00am on both Saturday August 25 and Sunday August 26. If you are in area of Northern Virginia and are interested in swinging a hammer and learning something along the way, please contact me at pete.berezuk@gmail.com

[Pvt_Sullivan]

Gentlemen,

We're going to be back working on "Mary" and "Betty", aka Pontoon #1 and Pontoon #2 this weekend on Saturday September 22 and Sunday September 23. The attachment below is the current progress on "Mary"

Mary_120901.jpg

We'll be at Ferry Farm and will be focusing on the following tasks:

- Assemble the clamps and secure frames 2 through 11 on "Betty"

- Build and install frame 1, frame 12 and the bow and stern timbers on "Mary"

- Secure bottom planking on "Betty"

- Complete bottom planking and secure side planking on "Mary"

- Build and install frame 1, frame 12 and the bow and stern timbers on "Betty"

The goal is to have "Mary" fully assembled and "Betty" to a point where some additional work days can be scheduled to work leading up to the October work weekend. Your dedication to this task is what is making it a success and I am grateful for all of your efforts.

For this weekend, I would like to have between 8 and 12 participants. If you can make it even for a portion of the time please let me know.

We learned during our first work weekend that we had no where near the number of tools we could have used. We will be using electric tools as needed for this task and those that have them are encouraged to bring them. Specifically we need electric drills to both drill pilot holes and to seat screws, please bring one if you can. I will have sufficient drill and driver bits needed for your drill. Also, remember to bring an extension cord to plug it in with.

During our last work weekend we learned how to work with the boat nails for this project and normal framing hammers are insufficient for driving and clenching them. If you have a hand sledge hammer, please bring it because it will be used. Also, we can make use of large clamps, specifically bar-clamps at least 6 inches and up to 54 inches wide. Look at the image of "Mary" and you will see examples of a small 12 inch bar clamp and a larger 48 inch bar clamp.

For this work weekend, those who wish to can camp on site Saturday Night so we can continue working until the sun sets and begin work early in the morning. If you are going to camp out you can camp period (civil war) or modern. Please bring what you need to be comfortable. You will need to bring your own food for this weekend. If you are going to camp out please let me know as soon as possible.

There is no requirement for your to wear period attire for the work weekend. However if you choose to, please come as a Federal Private in Fatigue Dress, we are going to be working. No need for Sharpshooter, Zouave or Marine impressions. The simple government issue Dress Hat or Forage Cap, Sack Coat, Trousers and Brogans will be more than sufficient and all that is desired. If you have any question on what is or isn't appropriate, please ask.

[Prodical Reb]

Several updates since last post on progress of the 2 pontoon bridge boats. See the 15th NY Engineers Face Book page:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/382344998486011/

[Pvt. Lewis]

The progress looks good, gentlemen. Excellent work! Looking forward to crossing the Rappahannock with you!

[Usp45nh]

Looking forward to this event! Wish I was closer to have lent a hand on these work weekends!

Greg Henderson
Co A 5TH NHV

[rayzor30]

These guys are amazing me more with each update. Essayons gentlemen! We are looking forward to being there in December and rowing the men over to stop those damn sharpshooters.

[Pvt_Sullivan]

Thanks for all of the good wishes... on Sunday December 2, 2012 we were able to launch and test "Betty"...









The work on "Mary" was nearly completed and once she gets a coat of paint on Tuesday, she will be ready to launch and participate in the event...



More information about registration, parking, the camp and the event schedule have been sent out to the participants. There will be one more update prior to the event start this weekend.

I wish everyone safe travels and I will look forward to seeing all of you at "Fire on the Rappahannock."