The sounding
spars were used for gauging water depth. There was one
spar for either side of the Boat deck and were stowed
behind the Emergency clipper boats. They were attached
to the outboard side of the Boat deck's bulwark at the
aft arm of the first davit unit. This is where the bulwark
stops and the open area begins for the next three pair
of full sized life boats.
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Item 1 (making
the spar).
To make the
spars cut pulled sprue or microrod to about 27/28mm long.
Paint
the spars flat white.
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Item
2 (positioning).
Glue
the aft end of the spar to the boat deck planking, sitting
halfway between the second window forward of the expansion
joint. Glue the forward end to the bulwark near the hand
railing over the 5th window back from the bow end of the
A deck weather cover. See diagrams below.
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Item
3 (alternative spar position).
An
alternative is to glue the spar in its operational position,
at 90 degrees to the hull and pointing upward at a 45-50
degree angle. This can be seen in the background of the
port side Cork Examiner photograph.
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Item
4 (spar cable).
On
the stern end of the spar is attached a cable. This can
be seen in photos hanging down and draped over the A deck
weather cover, laying underneath the Emergency boats towards
the aft side of the wing cabs.
Cut
appropriate lengths of 4lb. test Trilene fishing line.
Use CA glue to attach it to the weather cover and spar
.
Paint
the cable a dark gray color.
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Item 5 (making
the spar motor).
According to
a photo of the Olympic in 'Titanic At Two' there appears
to be a canvas covered object inboard of the forward end
of the spar. This is thought to be the spar's motor unit.
Make two motors
from scrap plastic and a pulled spur microdot as seen
below (one for each side of the ship). Place the motor
just behind the stern end of the Boat Deck's collapsibles
on the inboard side of the 1st davit's aft arm. Cover
this with tiny squares of Saran Wrap and paint flat white
to simulate the canvas covers.

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