Final Stage of the Project (Completion by end of November 2003)

The last six months has seen the replacement of water rotted timber deck beams, stanchions, internal frames and hull planks. The masts and spars have been refurbished and small sections of rot removed and replaced with appropriately shaped sections. Many of the steel mast fittings show the marks of the original hand forging that was part of the manufacturing processes over 130 years ago.

The May Queen was also placed on the slip to enable fixing of stanchions and planks below the waterline.

The main and mizzen masts were placed back in the vessel in early June, and the wire rigging has been coated with preservative grease. Where necessary the marlin bindings at the loop ends of the rigging have been replaced (parcelled and served), based on techniques that have been used on sailing ships for several centuries.
The topmasts and remaining spars will be installed on the vessel over the next few months.

Celery top pine decking will be laid over the new deck beams, the rear cabin will be replaced and a centreboard and case will be installed. Many of the original lodging knees used to cross brace the load bearing beams will be reused.

Of necessity some new knees, cut for their shape in the forest from a grown tree trunk and branch joint, have been used. This method of timber selection was used by the original shipwright in the vessels construction.

At the completion of the project the May Queen will have been restored to her 1924 condition, just prior to the time she had a motor installed.

The May Queen preservation and maintenance project was honoured in March 2003 with a visit from M Jacques Chauveau President of the World Ship Trust who presented the awards to the Project Chairman and to Mr Bill Foster in recognition of contributions to the preservation of historic vessels.

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past update - November 2002 ...