Ferry Plantation House - A Historic Site in Virginia Beach, Virginia

Ferryboat Report, Update 01
Prepared for Friends of Ferry Plantation House (FoFPH) by:
Dean Giangregorio, Ferryboat Captain

4 March 1000: We arrived at Ferry House (a willing “apprentice” named James came to assist) for more work on the boat. Work started with scraping off loose paint from boat exterior. While working near the bottom of the boat, near the bow, the false keel was found to be in need of replacing. This should not be an issue as both the keel and false keel need to be removed before the bottom can be replaced.

Once most of the scraping on the heavily flaking exterior paint was done, the apprentice started scraping the loose paint on the interior. While the interior was being scraped the rotten rub rails were removed from the port and starboard gunwales; copper nails used to fasten the rub rails were saved for possible displays of the boat’s construction and restoration.

Further inspections were done once the rub rails were removed; these found additional rot on Forecastle deck planks, and on side planks along starboard quarter below the gunwale. The rotted section extended from the transom forward for several feet. The port side planking looked sound. The main gunwale also looked sound.

Several bolts fastening the cleats to the gunwale have some rust; these bolts will be cleaned or replaced depending on the extent of the rust. This won’t be known until the cleats are removed to repaint the boat.

More photos of the restoration work were taken during the day. Secured work at 1500.

8-9 March: Spoke with members of Mariner’s Museum during “Battle of Hampton Roads” weekend Living History event for advice on wooden boat restoration. Museum’s advice was to replace the boat’s bottom first; this would help the boat’s sides hold their shape better than they would while trying to replace the sides first.

Updated Task List:
• Scraping of the interior’s loose paint will continue until the boat can be turned over and supported above the ground (lofted).
• Once the boat is lofted the keel will be removed and thoroughly inspected for soundness.
• The false keel will be measured before being removed; the measurements will be used to fashion a new false keel.
• The plywood bottom will be completely removed
• The areas around the chine will be cleaned and then further inspected to determine if any repair is needed before installation of new bottom planking.
• New planks roughly 6 inches wide will be laid for the bottom; this is consistent with 19th Century small boat construction.

Goal: The goal is still to have the ferryboat ready to “get her feet wet” on or about July 1st, and have her fitted out and ready for the Grace Sherwood event on July 10th.