Steamboat Bertrand by Cathead - 1:87, wooden Missouri River sternwheeler - Finished

[Canute]

Cathead, well done. The steamboat looks great. And thank you for showing us a glimpse of history.

[chborgm]

I agree with all the comments above. This forum has enforced my feelings of riverboats. Growing up in Pittsburgh in the 30-40s I spent a lot of time sitting on the hill watching the boat traffic. 

I have built the "Chaparon", and am in the process of building the Mississippi Riverboat" Mantua. This kit seems out of proportion in so many ways, that I am spending a lot of time doing research to try to get it right. All of your words and those of others have helped.

Maybe there should be a corner of this site for Riverboats.

[mattsayers148]

Excellent job CH! The period scene is an extraordinary view into the past!

[Cathead]

Thanks, all. Just to clarify one point, Bertrand won't be living on the layout, it doesn't fit. I don't want it hanging off the edge like that. If I want a steamboat there, I'll either use the Far West or build another one. Someday.

 

It's now proudly on a bookshelf near our front door. Conveniently, it's just lower than the natural height of a normal book. One advantage to steamboats over sailing ships, a better height/width ratio for display!

 

chborgm, I was thinking about starting a "general riverboat discussion" topic, your mention of the same idea encourages me to do so.

[chborgm]

I thin that is great idea. There is so much I thought I knew, and so much more I realize I don't If one is started I hope the it would not be to limited in scope. I am interested in the steam engines, difference between up river down rive boats, passenger/gargo etc. I am working on the Mantua boat, and have ordered plans to hopefully scratch build one

 

I've putted up my study chair and am ready

Clarence

[wyz]

Well done Cathead!  Now that the Bertrand is finished what's your next project?

 

Tom

Edited January 26, 2016 by wyzwyk

[Cathead]

I'm setting aside river craft for now, and embarking on a self-designed tutorial in regular ship-building. First the two Model Shipways naval gun kits for a lightweight treat after scratchbuilding (and to learn more about guns), then Chuck's longboat to reimmerse myself in planking, rigging, and other such skills, then tackling the Corel Ranger as Mrs. Cathead really likes the look of topsail schooners and I want to build a real sailing craft. I grew up along the Great Lakes and sailed a lot as a youngster, as well as spending a lot of time along the mid-Atlantic coast, so am looking forward to rediscovering that part of my past and interests.

 

If/when I return to river craft, I want to build the Arabia, the Missouri River sidewheeler that's now the focus of an excellent museum in downtown Kansas City.

[kurtvd19]

Cathead:

Again - great model and thanks for sharing the building with us.

The Arabia is an interesting subject.  I don't know of any sort of plans for it.  Would probably have to be mostly conjecture and practice of the day to arrive at a model.  If you know of any sort of plans please let me know.

Take care,

Kurt

[wyz]

Cathead,

     I too would like to see you do Arabia, but at age 36 I don't see any good reason why you can't do 'em all.  ;-)  My gosh, at your age you could build a whole fleet!

 

Tom

[Cathead]

Kurt, I don't know of plans, either. Whenever I decided to get started, I'd just have to contact the museum and see what information I could glean from their archives of the dig, and go from there. It would be a representative, if not accurate, model, as you say. 

 

Sorry, Crackers, it'll have to wait a little while. All steamboats and no sailing ships makes Cathead a dull boy. I wouldn't be motivated to do another steamboat right away, I like diversity in my life.

 

wyzwyk, I sure hope you're right! My father didn't make it to 50, so you never know.

[dgbot]

Cathead the great Lakes has a rich history with many different types of boats and water craft.  

David B

[Cathead]

David, yes, right now my long-term dream is to scratchbuild the HMS Ontario, was was recently discovered in its eponymous lake not very far from where I grew up. My mother attended a talk by the team who found the ship, and gave me a signed copy of the updated book about its contruction, history, and re-discovery, including sets of plans based on the Admiralty originals. I just need to build up the skills required.

[Cathead]

Index of this build

This is an idea I had partway through this build. The idea is to provide an outline of the build so future readers can find information more easily without wading through the entire comment thread or trying to find the right search terms. It's now linked in the opening post of this log.

 

Edit: I wrote up a whole post about this, intending to post it as a new idea, only to find that it had already been proposed last year. But I added my original idea writeup anyway, in case it's of interest to anyone. 

 

Laying out hull frames, first attempt

 

Reconsidering hull framing with new information

 

Laying out hull frames, second attempt

 

Hull framing continued, starting on bow & stern

 

Correcting stern framing, continuing stern & bow framing

 

Completing hull framing

 

Adding guard framing

 

Questioning bow planking

 

Adding deck beams

 

Planking the bow (following some excellent suggestions/discussion)

 

Planking, sanding, and painting hull; starting deck planking

 

Building the rudders; continuing deck planking

 

Building the paddle wheel

 

Images & information from re-visiting the Bertrand museum at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Iowa

 

Discussion of steamboat wrecks on the Missouri

 

Engines & drivers

 

Main deck structures, framing in the boiler deck, hog chain braces

 

Boilers, main deck staircase, beginning boiler deck planking

 

Boiler deck completed, building main cabin structure with stateroom interiors

 

Framing & planking the hurricane deck, building the outhouses

 

Discussion of paddlewheel color

 

Pilot house, chimneys, railings, and the nearly completed model

 

Grasshopper spars

 

Final details

 

Final photos, part I

 

Final photos, part II

Edited January 29, 2016 by Cathead

[ggrieco]

Great idea Cathead, I know I'll find it very useful!

[Gerhardvienna]

Hi Cathead

 

Great report to a great build! And the final post with the direct links to the different stages is really useful!

 

Regards

Gerhard

[Keith Simmons]

Hi Cathead,

 

                   Absolutely grand build. I find it quite inspirational.....

 

 

 All the best,    Keith

[Mike Dowling]

I couldn't agree more Keith, I think the boat is quite magnificent.

[Cathead]

For anyone in central Missouri, I will be displaying the Bertrand and several other models at the Tigercon 2016 model show in Columbia, Missouri tomorrow (Saturday November 5). I apologize for the very late warning, it somehow never occurred to me that it might be of interest to anyone here, but there are a few folks from Missouri on the forum so I thought I'd mention it.