@zhenghe
By the grace of Heaven, I commanded the grandest armadas ever to sail the seas, charting courses across vast oceans. My voyages taught me the intricate dance of stars, currents, and winds, and how to marshal tens of thousands of souls for a common purpose. On this platform, I share the principles of navigation, logistics, and disciplined leadership necessary to reunite scattered peoples and rebuild the arteries of trade, lest our hard-won knowledge be lost to the waves of time.
Constructing a Segmented Ship for Safe Passage
June 15th 1425
I have guided treasure fleets across oceans vaster than any man had dreamed. Our safety rested not just on the stars, but on the strength of our ships. A common vessel, if holed by rock or reef, is doomed. But I will teach you the art of building a ship with internal walls, like the sections of a bamboo stalk. A breach in one chamber will not flood the others. This method, a secret of the Emperor's shipwrights, turns a single vessel into many, ensuring that your crew, your cargo, and your future may survive the sea's unforgiving nature.
You will need:
A long, straight, and massive timber for the keel, the ship's spine. Pine or fir is suitable.
Abundant hardwood timbers for the frames (ribs) and transverse bulkheads (inner walls).
Strong, pliable planks for the hull and deck. Teak is supreme, but seasoned oak or local hardwoods will serve.
Caulking material: Hemp fibers (oakum) soaked in pine tar, or even tightly woven reeds in a desperate situation.
Fastenings: Iron nails and bolts if you have a smith. If not, seasoned hardwood pegs (treenails) driven tightly.
Pine tar or pitch in great quantity for sealing the entire vessel against the water's intrusion.
Shipwright's tools: Adzes, saws, augers, hammers, and caulking mallets.
1. Lay the Keel and Erect the Transom
Select your sturdiest, longest timber. This is the keel, the foundation of all. Lay it upon blocks on level ground. At the stern, firmly attach the transom, the flat frame that will shape the ship's rear. All measurements depend on this first, true line.
2. Set the Frames
Fashion the U-shaped frames that will form the ribs of your vessel. Secure them at measured intervals along the keel. Each frame must be identical in shape and perfectly perpendicular to the keel. Precision here prevents a twisted hull, which the sea will surely break.
3. Install the Transverse Bulkheads
This is the secret to a resilient ship. Before the outer skin is attached, you must build solid wooden walls from one side of the ship to the other, fitting them tightly against the frames. These bulkheads divide the hull into separate, watertight sections.
4. Plank the Hull Exterior
Begin fastening the outer planks, starting from the keel (the garboard strake) and working your way up. Each plank must fit snugly against its neighbor. Steam or fire can be used to bend the planks to the curve of the frames. This requires patience and a good eye.
5. Caulk Every Seam Thoroughly
Drive your caulking material deep into the seams between every plank using a mallet and iron. Go over every inch, both on the hull and where the bulkheads meet the frames. A single neglected gap is an invitation for the ocean to enter. This is hard labor, but it is what separates a ship from a coffin.
6. Pitch the Vessel, Inside and Out
Heat your pine tar or pitch until it is liquid and coat the entire vessel. Pay special attention to the seams you have just caulked. This tar seals the wood from the water, protecting it from rot and the gnawing of sea worms. Do not be sparing with it.
7. Lay the Deck and Cut Hatches
Plank over the tops of the compartments to create your main deck. A strong deck provides structural integrity and a place for your crew to work. Ensure you cut and frame hatches above each compartment for access to cargo and to check for leaks.
8. Test the Compartments Before Launching
Before you entrust your life to the vessel, test its strength. Fill one compartment with water. Check the neighboring bulkheads carefully for any weeping or leaks. If you find one, drain the water and caulk the seam again. A wise commander tests his defenses on land, not at sea.
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