russian Shi**TIK Ideas

[akboatman]

With all the knowledge of many of you experts on here could anyone help me to find some plans or drawings or ideas for building a 1740-1760 Russian SHI**TIK Saling/Trading ship it originally was 50-60ft with a very shallow draft hull for beaching, they sailed from Kamchatka to Alaska starting in the the mid 1740's , We are looking to build a scaled down version for use and display in Alaska. The only picture i can find is below, Is there anything else that may be similar or anyone know where there may be one similar for reference we can use. I would greatly appreciate any help or ideas even consider hiring someone to help us if we find the right person with the project.

Sincerely Capt Charlie
alaska.charlie@gmail.com
****ik_in_North.jpg

[driftboatrick]

Capt. Charlie,
I have good news for you. I have been in contact with a Russian boat/ship historian concerning a boat he is trying to identify. While he isn't yet a member he has been visiting. He has viewed you request for help and sent me the following response;
"Hello Rick! Sorry for some disappearance... I'm on my business trip to Moscow and have little Internet access. Thank you for posting the photos - I have a glimpse look at the discussion. It's very interesting! I should say that the man in baydarka is for sure the last Russian Czar Nicolay II and the boy in the boat is most probably his son Alexey.

The picture of ****ik is familiar to me. I've got it in much better resolution (see in attach). I can't say that this ****ik is the vessel which could used in Alaska. I've got the description for this concrete picture. It's from the book written by Bogoslavsky in 1859 which is about Russian merchant fleet. This book is one of the main sources of information on the history of folk traditions of shipbuilding in Russia with lots of pictures. ****ik is the name for several types of boats and ships of different dimensions and purposes spread mostly on Russian North-West (vessels approx 15 meters length used in rivers and in the mouths of rivers - you can see the long wheel used only on rivers) and in the Far East (where the boats and ships of this name was used for sea voyages). The only thing what unite all these types is the similarity of technology of the hull-building. The planks of the boat were sewn by various kinds of flexible fibers - mostly by steamed roots of pine, juniper, fir or withes... There are not so many info on all this issue but I can be very helpful as I know some archival sources where it’s possible to find some info on Alaska ****iks. But I should say that we do not have the exhaustive description of ****ik for sure. There will be lots of space for thoughts and assumptions…"


Pavel

I hope that you find this helpful. I look forward to his followup and will post it here too.

Regards,

driftboatrick

[akboatman]

Thanks for the follow up driftboatrick, anything you can do to to help me keep going on this project would be greatly appreciated, as I am limited on my russian resources , For our project i think we will try to use modern technology as fasteners vs the roots of pine & juniper as we want it to float and actually recreate a landing on a beach with russian traders meeting the first Aleut Natives hunters. Anything you can do or add would be greatly appreciated if you want to contact me my email is alaska.charlie@gmail.com and i will call you back as I plan on starting this project next winter and have it ready for july 2013 sail date. Look forward to hearing back from You.

Sincerely Capt Charlie

[driftboatrick]

Capt. Carlie, you are most welcome. Pavel has been helpful so far and since he reads the forum I'm sure he will respond to us with good information. Where in Alaska in general to you reside and where do you plan on reinacting your event. My Alaska history regarding the first contact is rusty. I would guess somewhere in the Aluetians.iftboatrick

dr

[akboatman]

Yes it will be on the ALaska Peninsula or Aleutian Islands as we are finalizing the location. I have a business in King Salmon Ak as Well as Adak and St paul Island. And i have 27years in the marine industry up here and a 150 ton masters lic, Along with a dozen boats in numerous locations throughout Alaska. But this is a little more challenging project than normal, But i will get it accomplished. Thanks