I am of course trying my best to maintain a very high level of accuracy regarding this Santa Maria build. However, at the same time I have taken the opportunity to embellish a bit – as I did with the Captain’s Cabin.
I decided that the stern lantern on the Santa Maria was another opportunity for me to get a little more elaborate than was likely actually on the ship. I started by having Chuck Passaro send me one of his Stern Lantern Kits so I wouldn’t have to manufacture the little bits on my own. Then I stained and prepped the pieces.
I put the basic pieces together following Chuck’s directions, then started the modification process. I based my idea on some of the Russian ship builder’s I’ve seen who are fantastic and creating miniature pieces. I used thin wire and wrapped two pieces together to create a “roped” look for columns. I then filed down and flattened one side so it’s easier to glue them to the corners of the lantern.
I pinned and rubbed the lantern black and used parts of brass nails to create the door handle and simulated hinges. I then chopped off the ends of straight pins and mounted them on the top of the lamp to create pointed “spires” that extend above the lamp.
Finally, I took a 3mm wide brass strip and filed it to create a cross for the top of the lamp. I mounted the lantern using a brass dowel and finished the mount to the ship itself with a walnut base.
The Lehman Shipyard 