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Gérard Delacroix

Sample illustrations

King's Gabare

LE GROS VENTRE
Designed by J-J GINOUX and built by L.M GUIGNACE

1766 -1779

Prix : 128 euros 
Supplement for plans at the 1/36 : 40 Euros


This monograph presents the gabare; a transport vessel used by the Navy to supply the dockyards, squadrons at sea and the colonies.  The first gabares appeared around 1715.  They were used for the transport of masting and framing timbers.  Originally small vessels of 40 to 130 tons, their size will increase; up to 480 tons by the beginning of the 19th century and these vessels were fitted and laid out according to their use as they had diverse functions.

Fortuitously a gabare will participate in the Kerguelen expedition in 1772.  She was adequately named Le Gros Ventre.  She will eventually be abandoned by Kerguelen and sailing alone under the command of M. de St Allouarn, she will discover the west coast of Australia in March of 1772.  The ownership of this land was written in the name of the King, placed in glass bottles and buried at the location of this landing.  In 1998, the bottles were unearthed, which provoked great interest for Le Gros Ventre and her commander M. de St Allouarn.  This would be a determining factor in the choice of this gabare as a subject since her draughts are preserved in Vincennes at the Service Historique de la Marine.

 In consequence of the excellent work by Gerard Delacroix, the French Naval Archeology Collection is greatly enriched with this monograph; an original work treating of this type of vessel.


Distributor for US and Canada (except Quebec) PIER BOOK Piermont (NY)

PRESENTATION OF THE WORK

The presentation follows the usual format :
Blue hard cover, 24 x 31 under full jacket representing an original illustration by Jean Bellis. 

A 132 page (on 120g paper) book, square back, glue and sewn. 
Numerous illustrations including 29 captioned photos showing the model built by Vincent Davenas.

34 plates at 1:48 scale.
A 1:36 scale set of plate is also available as an option
 (30 plates,  the 4 great sails plans are not included )
(not sold separately).

** Following an error of file by the printer, a part of the rigging list is not translated. 
The complete file is available here (PDF Format) **

COMPOSITION OF THE MONOGRAPH :

132 page book – 24 x 31 format including 

Forewords by Jean Boudriot

The gabares
Presentation of the vessels.
The gabares at sea and their comportment.
The reconstitution of Le Gros Ventre.
The Main sources.
Reconstitution of the draughts.
The voyage of Le Gros Ventre 
The Kerguelen Islands
Transcript of the logs kept by M. Boigueheneuc and M. de Rosily.
The west coast of Australia, the “Baie des Chiens Marins in Nouvelle Holland, on March 30, 1772.

The fitting of the gabares as exploration vessels:
Commentary of 7 draughts by M. d’Auribeau for the gabare “La Recherche”, expedition of d’Entrecasteaux in 1791.
 

Le Gros Ventre monograph
Commentary on the 34 plates.
Note about the orlop deck.
The water hold and barrels.
Metal work.
The rigging of Le Gros Ventre.
Contracts for the timbers
Paint – colours for Le Gros Ventre.
Photos of the model by Vincent Davenas,
29 photos captioned by Gerard Delacroix.

The list of the 1:48 scale plates; including all the framing timbers

1 - Defining the hull.
2 - Vertical sections.
3 - Hull horizontal sections.
4 - Axial timbering.
5, 6, 7 – The frames and riders
8 - Stern framing.
9 - Framing the front.
10 - Framing.
11 - The transversal sections.
12 - Plan of the hold.
13 - The deck plan.
14 - Forecastle and quarter deck.
15 - Longitudinal framing section.
16 - Construction of the head
17 - Stern and quarter gallery.
18, 19 - Fittings
20 - Layout of the hold.
21 - Layout of the deck fittings.
22 - Forecastle and quaterdeck layout.
23 - Longitudinal layout.
24 - Top view.
25 - Great view: with all the arrangements.
26 - Front and stern views.
27 - Masts and yards.
28 - Mast fittings.
29 - Blocks.
30, 31 - Sails
32 - Belaying points.
33 - Standing rigging and longitudinal sails.
34 - “Le Gros Ventre” under sails


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