Le
Commerce de Marseille
1788-1801
By Master-shipwright JN Sané
Monograph
by Gérard DELACROIX
First
rate ships (also called three-deckers) from the late 18th Century have
always been fascinating to the period ship enthusiasts. Manned
with more than a thousand sailors, these ships were fitted with 112 to
132 guns on 4 or even 5 levels. As genuine floating fortresses,
the three-deckers from this era will be some of the largest wooden
ships ever built. This monograph contains all the documentation
needed to build “Le Commerce de Marseille”. This ship was
built in
Toulon
in 1788 from the draughts by master shipwright JN Sané. This
naval architecture genius is, with Borda, the author of the plans for
the typical frigate, 74, 80 and 118 gun vessels. These ships,
built from these plans, will arm our navy in great numbers for several
decades.The 34 large format plates (90 x 170 cm) included in this
voluminous work contain all the drawings necessary to build an
entirely framed model; should the modeler chooses to do so. The
set of plans also offers the opportunity to slightly modify the
dispositions of the ship in order to build a “supposed” version of
L’Orient which sunk during the battle of Nile in 1798. As in
previous works, the plates also show detailed drawings of all the
fittings, masting and sails.
This
set of plans is complemented by a 110 page booklet where the reader is
given a short history of these vessels and their construction, a
biography of JN Sané. As well and as usual, the reader will
find detailed explanations and comments about each and every plate.
Although
an English translation of the text is available, the full original
French version of this monograph (plans and booklet) must be ordered
by following the link above.
The English text is now available in the form of a professionally
printed booklet.
This booklet follows the format used in the French version.Page numbering and text content are identical for easy
reference as the two must be used simultaneously to view corresponding
plan samples, images, etc….. which
have not been reproduce in the translated booklet.
1)
Definition of the hull 2) Vertical sections 3) Framing parts 4) Frames and riders 5) Frames and riders 7) Frames and riders 8) Aft and stern framing 9) Hawse timbers 10) Hull framing 11) Beakhead and stem 12) Planking below the waterline (quickwork) 13) Longitudinal view of the framing 14) Cross sections 15) The hold 16) The orlop deck 17) First deck
18)
Second deck 19) Third deck 20) Forecastle and quarterdeck 21) Poop deck and disposition of L’Orient 22) Top view 23) Longitudinal layout 24) Equipment and fittings 1 25) Equipment and fittings 2 26) Equipment and fittings 3 27) Equipment and fittings 4 28) Great view of the fitted hull 29) Front and aft views 30) Masts and yards 31) Mast fittings and blocks 32) Sails (1:96 scale) 33) Belaying points 34) Great view; the ship under sails (1:72 scale)
Summary of the 110 page booklet:
Preface
by Jean Boudriot First rate vessels (three-deckers) at the end of the 18th Century Reconstitution The crew and supplies Short history of the first 5 vessels Jacques Noel Sané 1740 – 1831 Comments and explanations of all the plates Metal work Painting the vessel Rigging Details on the tackles Table of scantlings
The booklet and plates are
presented under a hard cover 24 x 34 x 9 cm
dressed with an illustrated jacket showing a three-decker under sails;
original work by Jean Bellis.
The
model’s dimensions (L x W x H) are as follow (1:48
scale): Hull
only: 1.60 m x 0.36 m x 0.43 m Hull
and masting: 2.07 m x 0.80 m x 1.50 m