Revell 1:96 USS Constitution - What quantity of Mizzen Stay Sails is appropriate?

One easy way to get you off the hook.  There used to be a tradition in model shipbuilding that naval ships were portrayed fully rigged but the actual sails omitted.  Sails were used on merchant ship models.  You could fall back on that tradition and eliminate the sails.  This was certainly not a universal tradition, but many ship modelers did follow it.

Good afternoon:  The Naval Historical Foundation now sells a CD with plans of USS Constitution which includes a copy of the 1817 sail plan of the ship; I believe you will find this of great help as you rig your model.  Visit the Foundation's website at: www.navalhistory.org and open the link to the Navy Museum Store, then open the drop-down for 'DVDs/CDs'.  

Here is an online resource for the USS Constitution 1817 sail plan:

research.archives.gov/.../5956232

There is a zoomable picture of the sail plan, and you can catch a lot of great detail in it. I know it's from 1817, but I don't imagine that the sail plan changed much from the War of 1812. The triangular sail above the spanker was called the spanker topsail or gaff topsail. The extra sail behind the spanker had a name that included the word "ring", but I can't seem to recall it off the top of my head.

Best,

Jose

I believe Ms. Desy meant to reference navyhistory.org instead of navalhistory.org

Here is the link to the terrific looking CD:

museumstore.navyhistory.org/.../1818.htm

BTW - Welcome aboard Ms. Desy and thanks for showing an interest in our attempts to represent the great ship.

Gentleman (and Ladies)

Thank you all for the suggestions. I have found them all to be quite useful.
Some I have seen before. But others were new to these old eyes.

However, I discovered a sail plan that includes the full complement of stay sails in the book:
"The 44-Gun Frigate USS Constitution".
A book which, happily, included the illustrations required, as a preview.

Most Capital!

With this, I intend to, as many have probably done so before, fabricate several stay sails from leftover sail material. And most likely, two additional jibs. 

Thank you all again!

- Captain Isaac Hull

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"Ringtail" (sometimes rendered in print as "ring-tail") is probably the term you are looking for.  

It's an alliterative reference (probably) to the way a raccoon curls its tail.  Since the studding-sail of the spanker is both club-headed and club-footed (usually), it would want to be "dipped" when changing tacks.  The process of doing that will likely have the sail in a spiral or curly-que before the wind fills it full and by.

Captain Isaac Hull

With this, I intend to, as many have probably done so before, fabricate several stay sails from leftover sail material. And most likely, two additional jibs. 

Be advised, the number of forestay sails was controversial.  The "by the book" answer in the clipper-ship days was that a ship was fitted with three jibs--Flying, Outer, & Inner; and the Fore Stay Sail.  Said latter sail being called a "jib sail" by some in print.

Rigging to a military fore stay always being complicated by the preventer and/or crowsfoot, so, the sail was set flying, when used.  The military main stay also creating clutter in the working area of the forestay sail, too. 

The sails set to the end of the sprit and along the jib boom having a much better moment arm for ship handling, as well.   A sail is not a mere pressor resistor, but a wind-inflated airfoil that generates lift in tractor form.  It's a subtle distinction, but a telling one.

Modeling staysails on any tack other than close-hauled to the wind, is an issue, too.  Just not easy to get those sails to look right, the way the would on a beam or broad reach.  The tack of the sail ought to be well alee, and the tackle ought have a catenary, too--both hard to replicate at 1/96 or larger scale.

Captain Mac, (or anyone interested)

I see your point. Three jibs may be enough for my purposes.

But I have a different question now.

In your opinion, would it suit to portray this ship with the following sails aloft:

Fore:  Topsail, Top gallant

Main:  Topsail, Top gallant

Mizzen:  Topsail, Top gallant

Flying Jib, Jib and Fore topmast stay sail

Spanker with Gaff Topsail

Main Royal Staysail, Main Top Gallant Staysail and Main Top Staysail

Mizzen Royal Staysail, Mizzen Top Gallant Staysail,  Mizzen Top Staysail and (possibly) lower Mizzen Stay Sail.

Would this configuration ever have been used?

I do not intend to portray this ship in battle. Perhaps... preparing for an encounter. Similar to what is portrayed here (This is not my vessel.. My ship has tops and top gallants aloft)

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Fare thee well and God bless America.

Sincerely,

Captain Isaac Hull

USS Constitution.

U.S. Naval shipyards

Norfolk, Virginia.

1812

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(A message from Captain Hull's editor. Since the good captain would surely already know the answers to these questions.)

I have seen fit to rig the sprit with three sails.

Unusual, yes. Like you said, three may not have been practical for a military vessel. More apt for a clipper, perhaps. But the Constitution DID have that option.

(I can always remove the third if I chooses.)

Perhaps you can provide an exact REASON why a ship like the Constitution would have that option and under what circumstances it would be used.

And while you're at it, can you tell me under what circumstances the main or mizzen stay sails would be used?  Along which points of sail would the stays be effective?

Thank you