'Cockle' 16' Cutter by J.R. Purdon

[Alex Low]

Ahoy,

I am on the hunt for some info on this boat. I have done the usual forum search, mystic seaport search, google etc. and I have come up pretty much empty. I came across this little ship in the Rudder Treasury anthology. Its on page 166 for those of you who have a copy. Anyhow, anyone have any ideas on this one? I would like to get the plans - as the book has all the lines drawings (in distorted, reprinted, miniature!) so I know they are out there somewhere...

Thanks,

Alex

[htom]

There's a tiny cutter whose lines have been lost (although they are sketched in the Rudder and elsewhere); this may be her. To ease your disappointment, Paul Gartside's 5.5 meter cutter # 93 (http://www.gartsideboats.com/catsail2.php#italy) , and look at his #101 (20') and #131 (22')

[Don Olney]

From The Rudder, which you already have:

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid72/p703e686ebc0a855c7c6b323f803bee19/fb8588f0.jpghttp://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid72/p3b925501e391c0da0a7dd8b1ba537654/fb8588ea.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid72/p142e7d99cc0115cff290fc8d192caed2/fb8588e2.jpg

[Alex Low]

Thanks Don. Thats the one. And I am off to Gartsides page to check out #93. 5m is about 16'! It could be the one!

Thanks,
Alex

[HughRBeyer]

I am sure I've seen a photo of this boat somewhere... probably from the same Rudder article originally, but I saw it maybe in the "4th Book of Good Boats"? I'll check later from home.

[outofthenorm]

What you're looking for is "Galena" ex "Cockle" in the Mystic small craft collection. This is the actual boat. She's on page 66 of Mystic Seaport Watercraft by Bray. Plans are available - plan # 1957.537. One of my favourites!

- Norm

[Alex Low]

Thanks Norm. I did some searching on Mystic and all I could find is this one:

Galena/Fox
Cutter (19')
2 sheets: lines, sail,
order no. 57.537

I am sure it is the one, as Galena is mentioned elsewhere on the web as ex Cockle. I wonder if there is a table of offsets.

Alex

[outofthenorm]

Yup that's her. She is Galena ex Fox ex Cockle. She's the original named in the Rudder article. Design by Purdon, built by J.E Greaves, and once owned by Starling Burgess. As for offsets, unlikely, but call them and ask. Ask about pictures as well ... there are at least 2 in the collection. The ladies in the plans room are first rate and very helpful.

- Norm

[Don Kurylko]

Alex, the lines and sail plan can also be found on page 9 of Bill Garden’s book “Yacht Designs”. Note also that Cockle is actually 18’-9” length on deck. The waterline length is 15’-11”. The spared length is 29’. I’ve admired this design for many years. It would be great to see one built. If the Mystic plans do not contain offsets, it is relatively easy to scale them from the lines, as long as they are acurately reproduced. All else can be done on the lofting floor.

[Steve Paskey]

Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure the Mystic plans do NOT include offsets or construction details. Here's the full entry from their online database -- if there were offsets it would be listed.

Galena/Fox
Cutter (19')
Purdon, James C. (designer)
Graves, James E., Inc. (builder)
2 sheets: lines, sail,
order no. 57.537

Just for comparison, here's the listing for another design that INCLUDES offsets and construction details:

Cuspidor
Hampton boat, square stern (17')
Sinnett, D. Perry (designer)
Sinnett, D. Perry (builder)
4 sheets: lines, construction, offsets, sail,
order no. 61.916

[Alex Low]

Thanks guys,

I will give them a call, though it looks like (as Steve pointed out) no offsets, which doesn't scare me, just makes me worry about copying distortion. I have some plans from mystic, and they xerox them or something old school... but bless them for doing it! Once again, it all comes down to the lofting, and perhaps a pencil line here and there will make mine go faster?

I will post when this project gets underway... as soon as my mad build partner sails back from Costa Rica.

Alex

[Alex Low]

Here is a little bump on this topic.

I got the plans from Mystic - and they are quite accurate, as far as scaling and taking up the lines for lofting. They also include quite a bit of construction detail - including some #'s for the sprung deck! Man I love this little boat. That said - there are only 2 sheets and building from these plans would have lots of head scratching.... Anyhow - it is apparent that the plans from Mystic are drawn by E.I. Schock. Under close inspection, these drawings are different from the drawings you see in the Rudder Treasury. The treasury lines have J.R. Purdon's signature right on them... and they have some different details. So obviously the Mystic plans have been drawn from taking the lines off the boat they have in their collection? So where are the original plans? Lost? El Dorado?

I wrote Paul Gartside about it and he kindly lent some advice. He also mentioned the the Oysterman that has been mentioned in other threads on Cockle. The Oysterman is a pretty hot ride.

I am going to loft the boat from these plans, but if anyone has the March 1915 copy of the Rudder lying around - we should talk.