The cover of Charles Irelands book “Mallets, Chisels & Planes, The building of the Tall Ship Kalmar Nyckel from Vision to Launch” immediately holds the readers attention with it’s stunning view of the Kalmar Nyckel’s Red Lion figurehead forging it’s way through the waters around the Delaware River and Bay, for anyone interested in the subject of Historic vessel replication, this is for them, as with most projects of this kind it starts with the gem of an idea, together with a small group of dedicated people, Charles sums this up in a few words that speak volumes, “Dreamers dream dreams, and craftsmen make things with their hands and hearts. When dreamers and craftsmen come together, visions take shape and dreams are born”.

The original Kalmar Nyckel was built in the early 1620’s in Holland, as a pinnace, a medium sized merchant ship with three masts, square rigged, no original plans of this specific vessel have survived, with that in mind the team at Wilmington, have painstakingly researched the Maritime archives on both sides of the Atlantic, to build up an accurate set of plans showing the specifications of a vessel of that age, from this research and plans the new “Kalmar Nyckel” was built, using traditional materials in a traditional way, in keeping with this ethos of authenticity, particular attention and research was undertaken on all aspects of the decorative scheme used on vessels of this age, both in style, subject and the amount of embellishment used, fortunately for the team at Wilmington two significant areas of first hand information were available, firstly the vast number of contemporary paintings and drawings surviving in collections around the World, showing vessels of this age and type, secondly and perhaps most important of all, is the Swedish Warship “VASA” with it’s rich heritage of woodcarving built at the same time as the Kalmar Nyckel, this magnificent vessel was lost on her maiden voyage in Stockholm harbour, to be found 333 years later, raised and conserved she must stand as one of the worlds great Maritime treasures, with this unique and vital source material, the carvers have been able to produce a truly authentic decorative scheme, from the eight foot two tailed Red Lion Figurehead carved by volunteer carver Roger Hone with over a year in the making, to countless other, griffins, mermaids, mermen, soldiers, and coat of arms that go to make up the decorative appearance for an early seventeenth century Dutch Merchant vessel, painted in a rich pallet of colours, the modern day Kalmar Nyckel is a magnificent sight, as she sails around the Delaware coast.

As one of the gifted team of woodcarvers working on the project, Charles Ireland has produced in his book “Mallets, Chisels & Planes” a wonderful insight into the complex and time consuming procedures, bringing such a complex and fascinating project from, idea to drawing board to workshop floor, of particular note must be the wonderful colour photographs used throughout this book, they are first rate, and give the reader a glimpse of all the trades and skills needed to bring such a project to fruition, for those wishing to find out more information on the vessel and it’s future, they should visit the website of the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation at 1124 East 7th Street, Wilmington, De 19801 USA.
Telephone: (302) 429-7447
Fax: (302) 429-0359
WEBSITE: www.kalnyc.org EMAIL: info@kalnyc.org

For those interested in the work of the carvers should visit, www.seafoto.com

Published 2003, Softcover, 7x9.5 inches,
Illustrated full colour with 64 pages,
ISBN 978-1-892142-19-1
Price: in the USA $23.95. ( Postage $10.00 USA )
Order from
CEDAR TREE BOOKS
At Cedar Tree Books, 208 E. Ayre Street, Wilmington, DE 19804, USA
Telephone: (302) 998 4171
Or on line at www.cedartreebooks.com