How to Build Noah's Ark

       Unlike most arks, this one is mounted on four wheels and has couplings behind for wooden animals to be linked up, "two by two," and drawn along with the ark. The plans are very old so you will need to be careful when reading the dimensions.

Construct House Section:

1. Prepare two sides (Fig. 4) each 1' 1" x 5" x 1/2"  At a distance of 1/4" from the ends of each, cut a groove 1/4" wide and 1/4" deep.
2.  Prepare also the two ends of the house, which are 7" x 5 1/4" x 1/2" and shaped as in Fig. 2 with a 1/4" x 1/4" tongue on the edges. 
3. Fit the ends to the sides, clean up and glue and nail together, keeping the whole square. 
4. Cut the deck 1' 7" x 7 7/8" x 1/2" (Fig. 6). 
5. Clean up and screw to the sides and ends of the house with 1" No. 8 screws. 
6. The roof is loose with one side 1' 2" x 5" x 3/8" and the other 1' 2" x 4 5/8 x 1". 
7. From 1/4" plywood shape two ends or " barge boards," as Fig. 8. 
8. Glue and pin together the two sides of the roof, then glue and pin the barge boards in place. 
9. Finally glue blocks along the angle of the roof as in Fig. 1 (section). 

At the top of the plans you can see how the woodworker
has drawn the shutters, windows and door.

Construct Boat Section:

1. Cut and shape two sides 1' 81/2" x 4 1/2" x 1/2 with 1/4" x 1/4" grooves across the ends (Figs. 1 and 7). 
2. Cut two ends with 1/4" x 1/4" tongues on the sloping edges (Fig. 3). 
3. Fit together sides and ends, then cut the bottom, which is 1' 5" x 6 1/2" x 1/2". 
4. From Fig. 5 mark out and cut the four through mortices for the wheels, which are 1 3/8" diameter and 3/8" thick.
5. Mount the wheels on axles held by a covering piece screwed to the bottom (Fig. 8). 
6. Clean up, then screw sides and ends to bottom. 
7. Around the sides and ends screw a 1/2" x 1/2" strip to support the deck (Figs. 1 and 7). 
8. Finally, prepare two pieces 4" x 1" x 3/8", then 5/8" from one end of each, bore a 1/4" hole and glue into this a 1" length of 1/4" dowel. 
9. Glue and screw these pieces to the bottom (Fig. 1). 
10. Complete by painting suitably. Windows, doors, etc., may be painted in as shown in sketch at top of the plans.

All of the wooden animals are mounted on bases with wheels as well.

The Noah's Ark

Illustration and Poem by Katherine Pyle

 

The Noah's Ark.

 

The  Noah's Ark's a pleasant place,

With windows on each side,

And half the painted shingle roof

Is hinged, and opens wide.

 

And often Noah and his wife,

In dresses green and blue,

Take out the animals to walk

In rows of two and two.

 

And Noah was a cheerful man;

He always wore a smile;

But Mrs, Noah used to fret

And worry all the while.

Sometimes she's fret because their dog

Was looking thin and brown;

Or else because the elephant

So often tumbled down.

And when they reached the ark at last

She'd roll and scrape  about

To count the animals, for fear

That some had been left out.

Good Mr. Noah often said:

"Don't worry so, my dear,

Or very soon your pretty paint

Will all wear off, I fear!"

"Oh dear!" she cried, "this cow is scratched!

The wolf is on his head!"

And so she fretted spite of all

That Mr. Noah said.

 

And so poor Mrs. Noah's paint

Began to crack and fade;

But Mr. Noah still looked bright

As when he first was made.

 

by Katherine Pyle.

 

Read more about Noah's Ark at the Easter Egg Crafts blog.