The reason for this is two fold, firstly to expose the inside areas of the hull and gauge the extend of the rot in the planking behind parts of the hull covered by paneling and lockers. Secondly to be able to re-fix the hull planking in the same way it was done the first time round with copper nails and roves and not to relay on just screws. Because this is going to be a full on restoration the rebuilding of the hull planking it will be in the same method as used when Chance was built in 1948.
The forward cabin is especially in need of careful measurement being taken and photograph of all the items that are in their present position. However, looking at other James Silver's of a similar size. The hull was not paneled out like Chance, but bare painted hull will mahogany slats screwed on to the frames and ribs to act as back rests for the bunks when the crew are sleeping in the forward cabin. I expect to find evidence of this when I remove the present paneling off the frames as it is done presently.
In the aft master cabin the layout is completely not original as the cabin bunk arrangement was not athwart-ships and is not the way this was originally built on other James Silver's of a similar age and size there are two bunks aft and a chest of drawers in the aft end of the cabin. The hope is to remove the present arrangement and see if there are witness marks of the original arrangement and if there is a chance there are plans available which will make it possible to re-fit the original from her build plans and put it back the way she way in 1948.
So that is my plan of action for my next trip to Chance and her ongoing restoration
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