Documenting the hull
The sheathing has been removed from the starboard side; some scraping still needs to be done. The structural planking is now exposed on both sides of the hull.
In order to document all changes in the hull, no matter how slight, the Research and Documentation staff will be taking measurements using an electronic measuring device. The first step is to install small reflective targets that can be shot with infrared light rays; the rays bounce back to the machine for a very accurate measurement. There will be approximately 130 of these targets on each side of the hull.
The expansion drawing of the ceiling is completed for one side. The final two brackets for the hull supports have been installed on the starboard side aft.
The Research and Documentation staff has been researching the archives for photographs from the 1970s restoration so that the current team of shipwrights can see how previous work was done, and how specific problems were addressed.