Info please

[Jack Connor]

Hello all. I have just joined this illustrious band! I have not been a member of the Merchant Navy, or any other Navy, but I do have an interest in boats.
I run a flooring company here in Northern Ireland and have, over the last few years worked on Cruise Ships, fitting flooring. We have worked in Italy, Finland, Germany and France as well as the UK.We have done about 40 odd ships. I have also sailed quite a bit, representing Ireland in the Commodore`s Cup in a boat, built by Souters of Cowes and finished off by ourselves.
I am throwing out a question that I hope someone can answer;
We are involved in the refurbishment of the SS Nomadic (look at their web page) and we have to replace the decks in material as close to original as possible . The original decks were Pitch Pine which cannot be obtained. We have been offered SAPELE or MAHOGONY as alternatives. Does anyone know if these timbers have been used for decking- is there a precedent or should we look for IROKO, which is in short supply?
Help! Jack Connor

[Brian Galloway]

Hello Jack, welcome from Glengormley. Great job with the Nomadic. Can't help you with wood...'tho you'll find quite a few 'planks' around this site.
Have a good voyage.
Brian

[alf corbyn]

hi there jack. i have only heard of sapele in th furniture trade. mahogony might be expensive as would teak which i have heard is the best for decks. hope this helps. alf

[Jack Connor]

Hi Alf, thanks for getting back. There are SO MANY experts on this project! The situation is that the original specification calls for options. I am pretty excited about the project so I am trying to come up with as near ideal proposals as I can find.I would like to have the decks as on the day the ship was launched (incidentally the same day as Titanic ,but earlier in the day) The text books can all say one thing, the sellers of the various timbers can say another, and I am the one whose neck is on the line!I`m not happy with these options, hence my call. Regards Jack

[Jack Connor]

Hello Jack, welcome from Glengormley. Great job with the Nomadic. Can't help you with wood...'tho you'll find quite a few 'planks' around this site.
Have a good voyage.
Brian

Hi Brian, I`m sure you will support me when I state both the Nomadic and the Titanic were in fine working order when they left Belfast!!! Jack

[Brian Galloway]

Tried that one mate but they won't believe me either.
Brian

[Jim Brady]

Hi Jack, ( I've just realised hijack)Try the Paddle Steamer Waverley site,they did a complete refurb on that including the decks,photos of the new decks on their site.
Regards.
Jim.B.

[Tony Wilding]

So many types of mahogony, sapele is not good for decks, Go to website of thpv bembridge, they have replaced wooden decks recently. I HAVE THE BOSSES PHONE NUMBER IN POLAND, HE SPEAKS ENGLISH.

[Tony Wilding]

Try seahawes.com they advertise reclaimed ships wooden decking, a uk company. Just found it on the internet.

[robpage]

Murdock Hardwood
51, Rathfriland Road
Newry, Co. Down
N. Ireland BT34 1LD

Tel: (028) 302 61011
Fx: (028) 302 66929

email: info@murdockhardwood.com


ll the above list Pitch Pine from Honduras in one case as being in stock