The team have been extremely busy over the past couple of weeks and as you can see from the images above, a lot of work has been done on the Comet since the last update. The photographs and videos in this post give you an insight into not only the current state of the Comet but also into how the workers go about replacing the old exterior. And that is, exactly, what they have been doing since the last update - continuing to replace the old exterior by using a steam box to steam the new planks of wood until they are pliable and able to be bent into shape to fit on the hull. Both of the videos below, like one of the videos posted here before, allow you to see this process for yourself.
Approximately one half of one side of the ship has been painted, as you can see, and most of the exterior has been successfully refurbished and restored. The same goes for the isolated wheelhouse - which actually appears as if it is near completion.
Below is a short slideshow that shows old black and white photographs of the Comet replica in the shipyard along with a few photographs of the Comet in its current state.
Quite a lot of work has been done on the Comet since the last update - as you may have gathered from the picture above. The team have focused mainly on the hull of the ship - replacing the old planks and damaged wood.
By watching the video posted here below, you will be able to see for yourself what progress has been made in the past month or so. The video features footage of the team working away on different parts of the boat and it also shows them placing a new steam bent piece of wood onto the exterior of the ship.
Note that the video uses collected footage shot over the course of a month.
Progress has evidently been made on the cabin's exterior. The last update featured images of the cabin stripped and isolated from the ship with the team working on its restoration. The images above show what work has been done since and the progress that has been made.
In addition, the video below also demonstrates the progress that has been made by giving a quick pan and establishing view of the Comet. It also reminds us of the severely damaged state that the ship is actually in. Furthermore, the video gives close up views of the new steam bent planks of wood that have replaced some of the original exterior.
Hopefully this video gives you some indication of not only the sheer size of the Comet, which I myself found surprising, but also the sheer size of the task at hand.
It has to be said that it is both an odd and interesting juxtaposition; the original exterior and structure united with the new exterior. The images below give a closer look at this coming together of old and new.
Work is now officially underway on the Comet Rebuilt project. The Comet has been stripped of its cabin...
...and a rough template for the new deck has been constructed in parts and put over the original damaged decking.
Furthermore, the exterior planks that need replaced entirely have been marked with a white X, as you can see in the picture below.
It is evident that the ship is extremely damaged due to its lengthy exposure to the elements while it was on display in Port Glasgow. Refurbishing the vessel to look pristine again is an extremely difficult task.
Nonetheless, the team is off to a great start and there is now a firm plan of action as to how they are going to tackle the difficult refurbishment.
Three weeks ago I visited The Comet replica in Ferguson’s Shipyard for the very first time. It was only then, when I climbed up the scaffolding and walked round the vessel, that I realised and understood the sheer scale of the task at hand.
My name is Niall Ptolomey and I am a trainee Cultural and Heritage support worker and a prospective History student. I am, as of now, responsible for tracking the status and progress of the Comet Rebuilt project and logging all updates in this blog. However, I feel that it is not myself that should be introduced when a proper introduction of The Comet has not yet been written.
As I am sure you already know, The Comet is a name of which Port Glasgow is immensely proud. This is obvious in the fact that the community organizes an annual festival just to celebrate its very being. It has been established earlier in this blog that we would take a look at some of the Comet’s history – both original and the 1960’s replica. An introduction to The Comet, taking the form of a post giving a brief history exploring the ship's life and death, is something that you can expect over the next few weeks. In addition, there will also be weekly updates featuring video footage and images of the reconstruction allowing you to not only read about the progress of the refurbishment, but to see it for yourself.
But why is The Comet so important? And to raise a question raised here before - why are we even bothering with the refurbishment at all?
The answers to these questions lie in the fact that The Comet is part of Port Glasgow’s cultural heritage; meaning that it’s something we have inherited from a past generation and it is our job to maintain and bestow it in the present for the benefit of future generations. That, generally, is the belief that the whole Comet Rebuilt Project is based on.
The team are all ready and assembled and The Comet herself is all scaffolded out and ready to go.
Last week our heritage coordinator Kay went over to take lots of photos of the boat prior to refurb. We've included some below, you can certainly get a sense of the scale of the task ahead...
It's also really interesting to see The Comet and in particular the engine from a different perspective
Another Comet venture also needs Port Glasgow support...The Comet Festival.
Local people are being urged to get involved helping with this years event. Volunteers can join the committe or be involved in actively supporting the festival on the day. There is a public meeting on Monday 8 March at 7pm in Port Glasgow Town Hall.
If you miss this however, please contact Jan Donnachie for further information on 715472.
The team have been extremely busy over the past couple of weeks and as you can see from the images above, a lot of work has been done on the Comet since the last update. The photographs and videos in this post give you an insight into not only the current state of the Comet but also into how the workers go about replacing the old exterior. And that is, exactly, what they have been doing since the last update - continuing to replace the old exterior by using a steam box to steam the new planks of wood until they are pliable and able to be bent into shape to fit on the hull. Both of the videos below, like one of the videos posted here before, allow you to see this process for yourself.
