Next (and definitely not least, as this proved to be the one factor that had me wondering if I should be doing this at all) was to get the timbers for framing. We tried to use a contact to send timbers up from Grenada, but this failed -- as these timbers must have the right shape for the bow stem and the right curves -- for the pieces sent were too straight. Two shipments later we still did not have the right timbers.

Finally, and I understand now why the shipwrights were reluctant, we all went to Grenada and into the bush to choose, cut, and haul out our "compass timbers" -- timbers chosen for their natural shape for strength and application. This was WORK, very interesting to see your boat in the air and more so to see it come down. The work was hard on all, the hauling out especially.

Difficulties were still to come as the loading on to a ship proved. Firstly the trucks could not bring out the timbers because of heavy rainfall, and arrangements made again had the trucks on the dock but no ship! The timbers were unloaded on to the Carenage, taking up much-sought-after parking spaces. At least the logs did not get a parking ticket, nor were they clamped or towed away.

When the ship finally arrived with all the lumber in Tyrrel Bay, Carriacou, they were lifted overboard and swun ashore, hauled up and stacked! The White Cedar (Tabebebuia hetorophylla) forms all the structural timbers and are shaped by hand.

This wood is of such importance to the islands that it deserves additional comments, the first being that it is not really a cedar at all. In fact, it is a deciduous tree with glossy dark green leaves and pale purple, trumpet shaped flowers. It might be better called West Indian Oak. Like oak, the wood is light in colour, tough, rot resistant and holds fastenings extremely well. In habitats with abundant rainfall, this species forms a tall, straight tree; on the arid, salt-sprayed windward coasts, the tree grows tougher and denser, forming the curved and twisted shapes that are ideally suited to boat construction. The timbers are cut only when the moon is waning, when it is believed the sap is out of the wood, allowing better curing and rot resistance.

Other wood used for a special purpose was Seagrape, a tough beachside tree whose irregular right-angle turns made it ideal for the big stern post knee. Fastenings for the keel, floors, frames, butt blocks and planking are all made from silicon bronze. Traditionally, vessels were ballasted internally. We used some this way, but also added 5 tons to the keel for a more upright sailing ability.

All decked vessels built in the Lesser Antilles have overhanging sterns, with the exception of the Tortola Antigua sloops. In Carriacou, this overhang is proportionately longer than elsewhere. This look adds to the handsome sheer line, but involves a more substantial construction, unique to the island.