Apperance: (Photo to be inserted soon.) Race: Human Eyes: Bright blue Hair: Vivid Red Height: 6'0 Weight: 210 Attire: Usually brown slacks and some form of white or blue loose fitting shirt.
Physical Description:
Wilhelm stands just about six feet tall with vibrant red hair that stands out at quite a distance. Quite common on the shipyards of Prime it strikes some as different outside of the city. He is usually dressed as a shipwright, in loose work clothes, tossed on in a hurried fashion.
He is broad shouldered and usually found with his workman belt strapped around his hip. He speaks with a casual voice, though sometimes with a sense of newness, as if he's been reborn to the world.
Personality:
Wilhelm is a easy going young man. Born to a well educated family he has distanced himself from them, though he seems out of place in a craftsman's world. Not accustomed to the rigors of full hours or hard labor yet.
After his rather sudden departure from the strong ties of his family Wilhelm finds himself giving into the vices he once swore he would not. Easily tempted by the finer things in life. The only stability he holds is the familiar comfort of the sea, and the ships he makes that rides upon them.
"Even God cannot change the past."Agathon (448 BC - 400 BC)
The Rochester family traces it's self back to Alarond Rochester, a rather wealthy merchant who used his wealth to increase his standing in politics. Having aqquired a sizeable wealth and marrying into the promiment Blackwell family, the house seemed certain for great things. There first and only child Albert seemed certain to follow the families footsteps to further increase there estates and assets.
Albert indeed followed the regular path of such young men, fine schooling, careful study, a worthy knowledge of trade, and he had even befriended a noble or two. When he married Cynthia Dewittle, from another prominent merchant house, the ideas and possibilties were endless. More assets meant with thier combined wealth the coveted idea of nobility even became very real.
When Doland was born grand celebrations were held with friends and guests, both sides of the family showed up to watch with amusement. All were curious about the young boy they were certain would lead them all to better standing in society.
Yet one day while at the bank, Albert with drew all but 1000 crowns, and vanished. No one knew where to. Cynthia along with most of the family was out raged, as thier means to higher status no longer was available to them. Rumors floated back about a mysterious sailor, who had bought this own vessel and sailed port to port squandering wealth. Years went by and outraged the family found the so called sailor, with nothing more then a shack, retired and resting in Arconis. His only reply to why he left, was that the sea had called him.
Doland and his new wife Jia now had a son of there own, and feared the influence a washed up sailor would have. It had taken them years to get beyond the meager means he had left them with. They never saw the old man again and forbade Wilhelm from ever visiting.
Of course young men rarely do what there parents say, and Wilhelm snuck away as often as he feet could carry him to see the old man. He was mean, he was grumpy, and he had a voice that could crack the sea, but when he told his stories it was like something out of this world. Wilhelm simply couldn't get enough of them.
Wilhelm attended school as his parents advised, and worked hard to earn marks, though spent his nights scrambling rooftops to peer out at the docks of the sea. He even met a nice young woman from a decent enough merchantile family.
Yet one morning when he returned to Arconis there was no more stories, no more grand tales, just a old man who had passed on. Wilhelm being barely a man had very little money of his own, but he used what he had to get the man buried, and give him a decent enough stone, so the world would know who they passed.
Two years passed, and Wilhelm choose to cast aside his upbringing, the politics, the well wishing, and the networking. He left his family, and in turn was disowned. The last patriarch of the Rochester line was no more. The last heir to reclaim the merchantile house thrown was Clay, Wilhelm's quick witted adopted cousin.
Wilhelm went to the one place he knew his family would never go, the shipyards, and there he took up a job by the sea. Hungering for a world of water, ships, tales, and legends. In time perhaps he would travel to all the docks, all the ports, and make the grandest ships of all. Such dreams were the making of legends, and it was better to dream of the future then dwell upon the past.
Last edited by Wilhelm Rochester; September 23, 2008 at 07:16 AM.
1 Point. Standard Progression, requiring at least Ten (10) Posts contributing towards acquisition of knowledge, skills, and abilities for the proficiency.
2 Points. Phenomenal Progression, requiring at least Twenty Five (25) Posts contributing towards acquisition of knowledge, skills, and abilities over the course of a season; or, alternatively, at least Ten (10) Posts of considerable creative ingenuity setting a high standard for proficiency.
3 Points. Epic Progression, a Masterpiece, unique in Aelyria's history, or, awarded as a recognition of a Feat of Heroism or Exploit of Villainy without parallel in recent times.
Tools of the Trade
-- An Apprentice's Apron.
-- A Shipwright's Toolbox, containing:
---- A Hammer
---- A Handsaw
---- A Caulking Mallet with Irons
---- A Wooden Jointer
---- A Short Hallowing Adze for Boatwork
---- A Long Hallowing Adze for Shipwork
---- A Handled Dado
Books of the Trade
Parts of a ship
Secrets :
Every shipfitter should be familiar with the technical names denoting ship lines, surfaces, and dimensions. Familiarity with these terms is essential in reading blue prints and in building and installing parts of a ship.
SHELL ----The principal function of the shell is to act as a watertight skin. It also gives strength to the construction of intermediate parts.
TRANSVERSES ----These are the ribs or frames of the ship, and when placed in position, give the principal shape or contour, Transverses are not all the same distance apart; amidships, where there is the greatest strain, they are spaced more closely. The transverses are cut or notched where they connect on the shell, to allow the longitudinals to pass through. They are strengthened by clips at these points.
LONGITUDINALS ----These run fore and aft from bulkhead to bulkhead, except in the shelter and upper decks, where some are broken by hatch interference. They give strength and rigidity to the framework and shell. They are connected and welded at the flange of the channel to the shell or deck.
BULKHEADS ----The vertical partitions that divide the hull into separate compartments are called bulkheads. Some are watertight. These water-tight bulkheads are so arranged that in case of accident at sea, water would be confined to one compartment only. The collision bulkhead in the front end is constructed to withstand heavy strain and shock in case the bow be staved in.
DOUBLE BOTTOM ----The double bottom extends from the flat keel to the tank top. It is strongly constructed and is water tight so that in case of accident causing an inrush of water into the double bottom, the ship would still be able to keep afloat. The principal parts of the double bottom are the flat keel, vertical keel, floors, intercostal girders, bilge, brackets, tank top, longitudinals, bounding bars and angle clips.
OTHER PRINCIPAL PARTS ----From the tank top to the upper deck the principal parts are: bulkheads, pillars, deep tanks, bulk head stiffeners, girders, brackets, bounding angles, bar clips, shaft tunnel, engine settings, longitudinals, man-holes and covers
LINES DRAWING ----A plan showing, in three views, the moulded surface of the vessel. (See Fig. 7)
MOULDED SURFACE ----The inside surface of the skin, or plating, of a ship. The moulded surface has no thickness, and is fair and smooth. Actually, when the ship has been built, the thickness of the plating will extend outside of the moulded surface. "Outside" strakes of plating do not touch the moulded surface if they have a liner against the shell frame. The heel of each shell frame is in this moulded surface (unless joggled). It should be remembered that this moulded surface is not an actual part of the ship. It is almost exactly the shape which a thin piece of sheet rubber would take if stretched tightly over the shell frames and main deck beams with no plating in place. (See Fig. 1)
BASE LINE ----A straight horizontal line at or near the bottom of the moulded surface from which vertical heights are measured. Usually, the base line is the very lowest part of the moulded surface. In Fig. 2 is shown an exception.
WATERLINE ----The intersection of the moulded surface with a horizontal plane at a given height above the base line. The six foot water line is exactly six feet higher than the base line.
These intersections are shown in the half breadth plan in the lines drawing. They should not be confused with the "load line" marked on the outside of a ship when built. Shipfitters use a waterline merely as a height above the base line and in this sense waterlines are marked on bulkheads, frames, and other members, for the purpose of properly setting and aligning the structure.
CENTER LINE ----A straight line running from bow to stern, midway between the sides of the ship. All transverse horizontal dimensions are taken from the center line. The center line as applied to a transverse bulkhead is a vertical line in the middle of the ship.
BUTTOCK ----The intersection of the moulded surface with a vertical plane at a given distance from the centerline of the ship. Buttocks are shown in the profile in the lines drawing. Shipfitters use a buttock merely as a distance from the centerline. Thus, they have buttocks marked on bulkheads, decks, foundations, etc., for setting and alignment. The buttocks and the waterlines which are marked on the steel members for regulating and setting are usually of some dimension expressed in even feet. That is, they would mark the 10'0" W. L. (waterline ) and the 24'0" Btk. (buttock) rather than a 10'7" W.L. or a 23'6" Btk.
FRAME LINE ----The intersection of the moulded surface with a vertical plane perpendicular to the centerline (transverse plane). Frame lines are shown in the body plan of the lines drawing. They get their name from the fact that shell "frames" or ribs usually are made to this shape and installed transversely in the ship. The lines drawing consists of three views; a half-breadth plan, a profile view, and a body plan (See Fig. 7). These views each show only one side of the ship (usually, the port side), because all dimensions for the starboard are equal and to the opposite 'hand'; that is, the ship is symmetrical about the center line.
PROFILE ---- A view looking at the moulded lines from starboard to port. The waterlines and the frame lines are straight when observed from this direction. The deck line, or "sheer" curve shows up clearly in the profile, which for this reason is sometimes called the sheer plan.
BODY PLAN ---- A view showing the shapes of the frame lines. The body plan is made in two parts. The right-hand part is a view looking directly aft at the for'd port side of moulded surface, while the. left-hand part is a view looking directly forward at the after half of the port side. This arrangement prevents the frame lines at the after end from obliterating or fouling the frame lines at the forward end. This view shows buttocks and waterlines straight, while the frame lines appear in their true shape.
HALF-BREADTH or WATERLINE PLAN ---- A view looking down on the moulded surface. Here the frame lines and buttocks appear straight, while the waterlines show their true shape. To save space, only the port side is shown.
LOAD WATERLINE (L.W.L.) ---- The waterline at which the ship will float when loaded to its designed draft.
FORWARD PERPENDICULAR (F.P.) ---- A vertical line at the point where the load waterline crosses the foremost part of the moulded surface.
AFTER PERPENDICULAR (A.P.) ---- A vertical line usually at the after end of the rudder post. If there is no rudder post, it usually is taken at the center of the rudder stock.
LENGTH BETWEEN PERPENDICULARS (L.B.P.) ---- The distance from the forward perpendicular to the after perpendicular. To the designers, this length is very important, since upon it largely depends the amount of power needed to drive the ship.
LENGTH OVER ALL (L.O.A.) ---- The total length of the ship from one end to the other, including bow and stern overhangs.
MIDSHIP SECTION ---- A transverse section exactly half way between the F.P. and the A.P. Almost invariably, this is the widest part of the ship.
PARALLEL MIDDLE BODY ---- The straight part at the center of the ship where the water lines and buttocks have no curvature; that is, where all the fore and aft lines are parallel.
DEADRISE ---- The rise of bottom. It is the difference in height between the base line and the point where the straight line through the bottom flat surface intersects the vertical line through the side of the moulded surface at its widest point. (See A and B in Fig. 1; also, Fig. 3) BEAM -- The width of-the ship (moulded surface) at the widest point. (See Fig. 3)
DEPTH ---- The height of the ship ar the midship section from the base line to the moulded line of the deck at side (underneath).
DRAFT (Moulded) ---- The height from the base line to the load water line.
FREEBOARD (Moulded) ---- The difference between the moulded depth and the moulded draft. (It is the height of the side of the vessel which is above the water when she floats at her load water line).
CAMBER ---- The curvature of the deck transversely. It is measured by the difference in height between the deck at center and the deck at side.
TUMBLE HOME ---- The amount the top of the side shell slopes back toward the centerline between the point of widest breadth and the deck at side (see Fig. 3)
SHEER ---- The curvature of the deck at side as shown in the profile. The amount of sheer forward is the difference in height between the deck line (at side) amidships and the deck line at the forward end (see Fig. 4) The amount of sheer aft is the difference in height between the deck (at side) amidships and the deck at the after end. The line of the deck at center, in the profile, is higher than the line of the deck at side, owing to the camber, or transverse curvature of the deck. In Fig. 4 is illustrated the difference between the deck at the side and the deck at the center, owing to camber. The camber curve, as usually designed, is a circle of very large radius, but sometimes it is made as a series of straight lines, as in Fig. 5. The camber curve is the moulded line of the deck.
MIDSHIP SECTION AND OFFSETS ----The midship section of a ship, as stated before, is a transverse section taken halfway between the forward perpendicular and after perpendicular. Figure 6 shows the midship section of a type of oil tanker, giving the outline of the moulded surface at this section and also the spacing of the shell longitudinals and the longitudinal stiffeners. The camber of the deck is shown, as well as the deadrise and the bilge radius. This shape and spacing applies throughout the parallel middle body of the vessel (in this example, from frame 26 to frame 44, Table X) As illustrated, the shell longitudinals are three feet apart except for one space at the top of the side shell and four spaces in the bilge. The longitudinal bulkhead stiffeners are three feet apart except for three spaces at the bottom. The deadrise is nine inches. The moulded beam is seventy feet. The moulded depth is forty feet. The bilge radius is six feet. The camber of the deck is 1'5" in straight lines. There is no tumble home. The stiffeners (longitudinals) heel inboard on the bottom shell and upward on the side shell and longitudinal bulkhead. In Fig. 7 are given the midship section offsets for this tanker. Offsets are measurements of distance from the base line or from the center line to any point in the moulded surface. Half-breadths are measured transversely from the centerline. Heights are measured vertically from the base line. From the table of half breadths, we see that at frame 26, the 8 foot waterline is exactly 35 feet from the centerline. The 2 foot waterline is only 32' 9-3/4" from the centerline at this frame. (The offset 32-9-6 means 32 feet - 9 inches - 6 eighths of an inch or 32 feet 9-3/4"). From the table of heights, we see that at frame 44 the four foot buttock is only 5/8 of an inch above the base line, and the 24 foot buttock is 6-1/8 inches above the base line. These midship section offsets apply from frame 26 to frame 44, which is the extent of the parallel middle body. Table X shows the offsets for the tugboat whose lines are illustrated in Fig. 7. At each frame station are tabulated the half-breadths for the 2-foot, 4-foot, 6-foot, 8-foot, l0-foot and 12-foot waterlines, and also for the deck at side. The heights of the 3'6" and 7'0" buttocks are also given for each frame station from #0 to #10. The table of offsets for an ordinary cargo ship or tanker consists of many pages and usually includes the following items: profile, frame spacing, midship section, camber curves, stem and stern profile, rail profile, detail of frames at bossing, half-breaths, heights, and sight edges. Sight edges are the longitudinal edges of shell (or deck) plates which are visible on the outside of the hull. It should be remembered that in practically all ships. the frame spacing is different in different locations, and before taking any measurements a drawing should be consulted.
LOCATING FRAME LINE AT BULKHEAD ----When it becomes necessary to set a transverse bulkhead or other member by means of a frame line marked on the adjacent members, the frame line must first be determined at the bulkhead itself. (See Fig. 8) In other words, it must be found out whether the face side (smooth side) of the bulkhead is to be directly on the moulded line, or whether the stiffener side of the plating is to be on the moulded line. This information must be obtained from the drawings. No specific rule will cover all cases, and the frame line is sometimes on the forward side of the bulkhead, and sometimes on the after side. In case of a discrepancy between two drawings showing the same member (for instance if the shell drawing shows the bulkhead plating aft of the frame line, while the bulkhead drawing shows the plating thickness forward of the frame line) the shell plan shall be assumed correct for the purpose of setting the bulkhead.
CORRUGATED BULKHEADS ----In setting the more recently adopted type of corrugated bulkheads, as in Fig. 9, the drawing must be consulted for location of frame line. Here the moulded line may be on either the face side or the stiffener side of the bulkhead, at the extreme width of the web bulkhead stiffeners. In this type of corrugated bulkhead, the depth of the corrugations varies at different heights on the bulkhead. The deeper corrugations at the bottom supply the increased bulkhead stiffness which is required owing to greater pressure of water (or other liquid) in the lower part of the tank.
SCRIBING AT CORRUGATED BULKHEAD ----When it is necessary to scribe a large bracket or other plate to fit in the corrugations of a bulkhead, the following precautions must be taken to assure a neat fit. The bracket shown in Fig. 10 must be scribed off to move 2" to the left. If there were no corrugations, this would be a simple matter of marking a vertical line on the bracket with a 2' spacer to give the proper cut. This line would be similar to that shown at "a" and at "c" in Fig. 10. However, the sloping sides of the corrugations, as at "b" and "d" cannot be marked off with the same 2' spacer, because the opening thus burned out would be too large. The measurements for scribing at the sloping surfaces (that is at "b" and "d") must, therefore, be taken in a horizontal direction as shown.
Shipwright Terminology
Secrets :
Abaft ----Aft of; farther aft than.
Access Holes---- Holes cut in ship's structure to permit entering or leaving various compartments.
Accommodation Ladder---- A portable set of steps on a ship's side for the accommodation of people boarding from small boats or from a pier.
Aft ----Toward, at, or near stern.
After----- Nearer stern.
Aftermost---- Nearest the stern.
After Body---- Hull form aft of the midship section.
After Peak---- The compartment in the narrow part of the stern, aft of the last water-tight bulkhead.
After Peak Bhd.---- Watertight bulkhead farthest aft.
After Perpendicular ----A vertical straight line at, or near the after edge of rudder post.
Air Hammer---- Hammer driven by compressed air for riveting, or chipping. Sometimes called an air gun or "gun."
Air Port ----A circular opening or window through the ship's, or deck house, for light or ventilation.
Amidships ----At or near the midship section of the ship.
Anchor---- A heavy hook-shaped device for holding a ship at rest in water. The anchor grips the ocean bottom and is fastened to the ship by a chain.
Angle Clip---- A short piece of angle bar.
Angle Collar ----A ring made of angle bar.
Anneal ----To soften metal by heating and allowing it to cool slowly.
Anode ----Zink or aluminum or some such alloy that is fixed to the hull of a vessel. They are 'eaten' up by electrical currents moving from the vessel to the water. The anode is sacrificed to protect the metal hull of the vessel - without the anode, the hull plating would be dissolved by electrolysis.
Aperture ----A recess in which the propeller is located.
Assemble ----To fit together small parts, in making a large section,or part .
Athwartship ----Across the ship at right angles to the centerline.
Auxiliaries ----Machinery supplementary to main propulsive units.
Awning Deck ----Shade deck above another deck.
Ballast ----Any weight or weights (usually sea water, but could be concrete, scrap steel, etc.) used to keep the ship from becoming "top heavy" or to change her trim. Some of the largest cannons in the navy were on hospital ships - they were in the bilge for ballast.
Ballast Tank ----Watertight compartment to hold ballast.
Barge ----A water tight vessel that floats in water. Picture of 2 loaded inland rivers tank barges, carrying liquid cargo. Barges also come in open and closed hopper styles, and with flat decks.
Barnacle ----Small marine growth which attaches itself to a vessel's hull in large numbers, often greatly retarding her speed.
Battens ----Long strips of wood used in the mold loft for fairing lines; also, wooden protective strips in cargo holds; see hatch battens.
Beam ----An athwartship member supporting a portion of a deck. Also,the width of the ship.
Beam Knee ----(See Bracket)
Below ----Below a deck or decks (corresponding to "downstairs").
Bend ---To fasten; as, to bend on a rope
Bending Rolls ----Large machine used to give curvature to plates. Also see 'press brake'.
Bending Slab---- Heavy cast iron perforated slabs arranged to form a large floor on which frames, etc., are bent.
Berth ----A place for a ship; a place to sleep; a bunk; also, a specified small section of the hull structure.
Between Decks ----The space between any two decks.
Bevel ----The angle between the flanges of a frame or other member.(When greater than a right angle, open bevel; when less, closed.) Also,to chamfer.
Bilge ----Curved section between the bottom and the side of a ship;the recess into which all water drains.
Bilge Blocks ----Supporting blocks used under bilge for support during construction or dry docking.
Bilge ----A fore and aft member fitted to the outside of the shell plating along the bilge, to prevent excessive rolling of the ship.
Bilge Pump ----Pump for removing bilge water.
Bilge Strake ----Course of plates at the bilge.
Bilge Water ----Water in ship due to leaks, sweat, etc.
Bilge Well ---- A sump to which bilge water drains.
Binnacle ----A case, box, or stand containing a ship's compass, adjusting magnets, and a lamp for use at night.
Bitt ----A vertical post used in making fast lines; a bollard.
Bitumastic ----An elastic cement used in place of paint to protect steel.
Boat Deck ----A deck on which lifeboats are kept.
Body Plan ----A drawing which shows frame lines in elevation.
Boiler ----Container in which water is heated to form steam.
Boiler Chocks ----Stay braces which prevent fore and aft movement of boilers.
Boiler Foundation ----A support for a boiler.
Bollard ----A single tie post (see bitt).
Booby Hatch ----A watertight covering over a deck opening, which is used for a stairway or ladder.
Boom ----A long, round, heavy spar, pivoted at one end, usually used for handling cargo, etc.
Boom Rest ----A support for a boom when the boom is not in use.
