was superintendent of a mold loft in an Oregon shipyard. After the War he moved to Florida to devote all his time to models. He had to re-experiment with native woods in that area and found guava and limewood ideal. Crabtree not only built his models as the actual ships were constructed, framed and planked from the keel up, but he employed some of the same methods. For the many knees used in framing the miniatures, he sought natural-growth crotches. Wood used in making abrupt turns in planking was bent while still green. This guaranteed no loss of strength or strain on fittings. Brass pins and treenails (small wooden plugs) secured the planks and decking to the frames. The most ornate of the ships is a Venetian galleass of 1660. This has 359 carved figures, busts and profiles. Figures representing crew members stand on deck in various poses. It took six years to complete this ship. Most of the carvings demand some coloration. Here is where the artistic hand of Mrs. Crabtree is added. She paints and colors the figures. She makes the sails, helps to rig the ships and makes the minute eye splices. She also applies a solution of eucalyptus oil and refined creosote to the wood periodically to prevent rot and discourage borers. During 1948-49, ¡the Crabtrees travelled across the nation exhibiting the collection at local department stores. But the continual moving, packing and unpacking soon proved too arduous. They returned to Florida and opened a museum devoted to displaying his work. It was on Route 1, south of Miami. But this business proved too confining after four years. Once again the models were packed but this time taken to The .Mariners Museum for permanent display. Mr. Crabtree is currently working on a model of the most highly decorated ship ever built, BUCENTAUR, a Venetian ceremonial galley with some 800 individual carvings. No other museum in the country has had the privilege of displaying this collection in its entirety. The ships are arranged in chronological order so that the visitor can follow the progress of design, rig and ornamentation. Some of the models have been planked on one side only. This allows a view of the interior arrangement of the vessel and gives an idea of the complexity of construction. Now an opportunity exists to see the next best things to the original ships-detailed scale miniatures. Since being acquired by the Museum in 1956, the models have been displayed in individual cases in a separate room: Now, through the Museum's expansion plans, they will have a completely new exhibit setting. CLASSIC TAHITI KETCH-included John Hanna Plans Catalog. Also, "ocean cruising sailing vessel" designs by Thomas E. Colvin. Two Hanna how-to-build books: 30' Tahiti & 27' Gulfweed. Cruising tale-Conversation With A World Voyager. FREE BROCHURE: Seven Sea Press, Dept. SH, 32 Union Sq., N.Y... N.Y. 10003.
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