File:Weather-vane-install-boat.jpg

English: This series of photographs shows the submitter, Paul Joffe and a professional steeplejack installing a custom made weather vane Mr. Joffe created. The weather vane was built in the church below from plans of a locally famous steamship from the 1800's which carried passengers on the Hudson River. The weather vane is made of copper (including 2" copper plumbing pipe), stainless steel, and is gilded on its underside. It rides on one of two plastic discs coated in brake shoe grease so that it is electrically insulated from the stainless steel air terminal which serves to conduct lightning to the ground without touching the weather vane or its supporting pipe. The grease is not exposed to weather but if it weathers away over the years the hope is that the smooth,hard, di-electric, plastic-disc will still allow free movement of the vane in the wind for generations. the copper pipe which serves as support and axis of motion is located at the center of gravity of the weather vane, while the center of wind resistance is rearward due to the flat copper representation of smoke billowing from the steamships smoke stacks. care was given to create a shape that would not allow the buildup of bird droppings or allow a space for nests to be built. To that end stainless steel hardware cloth (mesh) was installed so that the interior of the boat shape would not be accessible. Further, the bottom of the boat was made open so that rain would wash through and a deck was installed to keep ice from filling the boat during the winter. Installation was difficult due to the size and weight. The height of the monument is 200 feet and the installers remained atop the uncompleted steeple for the work day preferring not to make the trip more than once on that 100 degree day, the steeple therefore serving both as lunchroom and urinal. The vane was brought up to the work area with a pulley system and ropes using a geared motor to a point about 20 feet below at which point it was roped to the top. Both people pictured were wearing harnesses and fall protection although by necessity the attach point was some 15 feet below.