United States Merchant Marine Academy - Midships Yearbook (Kings Point, NY)

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DONALD E. McKAY KING OF THE CLIPPERS A man of vision, a dreamer with the energy and ability7 to make his dreams a practical reality, a ship- designer endowed with the creative genius of an artist and the clear perception of an engineer, a pioneer in the field of nautical mechanics who blazed a path when others held back, Donald McKay stands today as the epitome of those qualities which symbolized the spirit of a growing, young America. His name is indelibly inscribed in the pages of history with that high-spirited and inspiring Age of Clipper Ships, an age which he did more than any other man to glorify with the creations of his brain and hand. To the memory of this man we respectfully dedicate this, the 1962 edition of MIDSHIPS. (.... Fitting the Hull Fitting the hull consisted of finishing up the numer- ous details that go into a ship. Included in these de- tails were the rudder, wheel and tiller, anchor fittings and capstan, pumps, ventilators, and boats. Finally, the hull was caulked, the bottom tarred and coppered, and the hull above the copper painted. The job of rigging was usually done after the launching.

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DEDICATED TO Building the Hull The keel was always the first part of the ship to be laid. This having been done, the stem and stem- post were carefully joined and treenailed to the keel. The frame, built of two layers of timber, was generally assembled on the ground and then lifted into place. Finally, the internal strength members were installed and the hull was planked.

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DEDICATED TO Launching The launching day was usually made a holiday in the town where the shipyard was located. Prepar- ations for the launch were made early in the morning on the day of the launching. By the time of the simple launching ceremony, which consisted of christening the ship by breaking a bottle of rum over her stem, it was merely necessary to knock the dog shores away. If all went well the ship would smoothly glide down the ways and enter the water.