thibaultron

Yes, I know that the technique has been around for a while. That's how Rodin made his bronze busts. But what is new about this is the use of 3D printing and the ability to send CAD files through the net, and receive the finished casting in the mail. In the past you would have to make the casting yourself, make the mold, melt your own metal ... that's just a bit too much work for me  

I came across this post in another forum. I thought that it would be of interest to MSW'ers, so I am reposting part of his post here: 
 

 
"These logos were custom designed by myself. They were made by shapeways in Solid silver (yep, silver). Cost around $70 each. Shapeways use lost form casting to produce these. They print the design in wax. Form a mould around the wax (probably plaster of paris or something). Then the molton silver is poured onto the wax. The wax dissappears and what you see is left. They even cast with platinum (dont ask what the price for platinum is)."
 
(That's AUD$70, i.e. about USD$50). 
 
The company he refers to is this one: http://www.shapeways.com/
 
This process might be useful to make plaques for our models, and maybe castings for bow and stern decorations. I haven't checked yet, but they may be able to use a cheaper metal if it's "only" for castings. Given that I will be spending 3 years of my life on my current model, I think that about $100 for a nice silver plaque would be worth it! 

Part 08
After messing up the 2X size practice bowsprit, I decided not to make another practice piece. So I went on to sanding the blank for the model bowsprit.
 

 
Here is the starboard side of the bowsprit tapered.
 
Next I sanded the Port side.
 

 
I rough sanded on the disk sander, then hand sanded down to the lines.
 
I then glued a drawing of the bowsprit looking from the side (so I had the top and bottom profiles) to the tapered blank.
 

 
Then I again rough and finished sanded to the lines.
 

 
To carve the octagonal portion, I used a knife to scrape the 45 degree angled side. This gave me more control than trying to slice or sand this area.
 

 
I held the bowsprit at a 45 degree angle and scraped with the blade parallel to the table. In this photo I have the blank just positioned using the knife, I’m not holding the other end, as I had to use my other hand for the camera.
 
Lastly I sanded the round section at the forward end by spinning the bowsprit inside a piece of folded sandpaper held in my fingers.
 

 
Here is the finished bowsprit temporarily placed in position. I’m sorry that the picture is not sharper, the part is small, and my camera is just your average type.
 

 
If you look closely where the bow, deck, and bowsprit meet, the bowsprit is sitting well clear of the deck. This is not correct. The stem piece is too high at the forward end. I’ll have to reshape it.
 
Next time I’ll reshape the stem, fix the divot in the port knighthead, and work on finishing the railings. The railings at the bow extend to attach to the bowsprit. That is why I had to make it before I could continue with the hull.

I will gladly concede that drill bits are inaccurate. But that's not really the point here. Consider this scenario. I'm working on a project and decide, regardless of the hole size or accuracy required, that for whatever reason I want to use a #75 drill bit. I'm happily drilling away and manage to break the bit. So I go to the box where I keep my spares, open the packet of #75s and see there's only one left. "I'd better order some more," I think to myself. So I place the order and a week later, a packet of drills arrives. It's labeled #75 but when I measure them, I discover they are really #76s. As it happens, I already have a dozen #76s in the spare box. I don't need more #76s - I need more #75s. All I'm saying is, if I order #75s, I expect to get #75s. I don't want to have to order #74s and hope they are really #75s. A while back, I ordered some drills from MicroMark and one of them was actually 2 sizes smaller than what the package said they were. If I were to order a pair of pants with a 36" waist and the company sent pants with a 34" waist, I'd be a bit disappointed!    I might be able to squeeze into a 35" waist but I wouldn't wear them to a big dinner. 34" waist - no way.
 
Cheers -
John

It has been my experience that drill bits most often drill a hole larger than the shank due to unequal length cutting edges from the sharpening process, at least that is true in brass, aluminum, steel and cast iron.  I believe that would be true in wood but I have never checked it.  Not only that, but a drill bit is not a precision tool any way.  They do not produce a round hole but usually make something that is three cornered with round sides. 
 
The important thing is not the size of the shank but the size of the hole which would be very difficult to gauge in soft wood.  In metal work, a precision hole is not usually drilled, it is bored.  If the hole size is very small, the best way to assure precision is to drill undersize and then use a reamer to make the hole both round and to size.  If you have any machinist friends, ask what they think about drilling a precision hole.

Hi Mark,
I've done both and they are very different not only in construction but finished product. The choice of sails or no sails is always personal and totally up to you.
The Atlantic when finished is much more delicate visually and in scale, so I decided to not add sails. The Bluenose has a different presence. The model is not as delicate and can handle the volume of sail cloth more easily. Again my choice was to omit the sails. I've lost my Bluenose pictures in a computer crash (no backup) and the model is out of my hands with my kids on the east coast. But I've attached some of the Atlantic.
Enjoy the build whichever you pick.
Mark
 

I am sad to report that I received the drills from Drills America last nite and measured them. Every one is undersized. No better than the less expensive drills I bought from Drills and Cutters. I began to get suspicious of my measuring tools and techniques, so I took a piece of .020 brass rod and a piece of .028 brass rod from brand new, unopened packages and measured them with both the drill gauge and digital calipers. They measured the exact size. So it's not me or my tools. I contacted Mr. DeWitt and his reply was:
 
"John, I have no argument with you because the customer is always right. It's just one of those unexplained phenomena like Stonehenge, the statues of Easter Island or Donald Trump. Please return the drills at your convenience and we will refund all your money. Thank you for giving us a try and best of luck in the future."   So, indeed, I will be returning the drills. I guess I'll just go back to Drills and Cutters because they are less expensive and order drills that are labeled as one size larger than I need in hopes that I'll get some that are right. Very disappointing.

I don't typically use a pin vise - more likely a drill press for precise work. But, let's say you want to put a piece of .025 brass rod into a piece of sheet brass and you plan to silver solder it. When you silver solder, the parts need to touch to get a good solder joint (in this case, all the way around the rod). So, if you choose a #71 drill, the hole may be too large (.026) and you'll wind up with a weak joint. If you choose a #73 drill, the hole will be too small (.024) and the rod won't go into the hole at all. Your best choice is a #72 drill (.025), which is just the right size.
 
Of course, if you're putting a piece of brass rod into a piece of wood and you're planning to epoxy it in place, then, yes, such precision is unneeded.And, in fact, you'd want a hole that's larger than the rod to allow room for the glue. If you want to use thin CA to glue in that rod, you'll want a snug fit since thin CA doesn't fill gaps (kind of like silver solder).
 
But, again, no matter what the number on the drill or the application for the hole it will produce, when you decide you need to order a particular size drill, you want to know that you're going to get the size you order.
 
Cheers -
John

I'd like to thank everyone who has become involved or shown an interest in the new ESSEX kit from Model Expo.
 
Obviously as a Designer I strived to produce a kit that when completed will be a model the builder can be proud of. I believe I've achieved that as the finished product represents. Unfortunately it's become apparent that there are (for whatever reason) some parts that are incorrect in the kit as being produced. Let me state that both Model Expo and myself are fully committed to correcting this situation. When complete I will work with Model Expo to see that this does not happen again with projects I am associated with to the best of my abilities.
 
I have (just) received a complete kit as produced by Model Expo and will will be reviewing the components of it to identify and address any incorrect parts. Once I believe that I've accomplished this task it will fall into the capable hands of Model Expo to honor the purchases made.
 
That's what this thread and the task in front of me is for. 
 
To that end there are (in response to a number of requests or suggestions) a number of things that this is NOT ABOUT..........
 
This is not a re-design of the kit or an opportunity to upgrade the offering.  This is not about inclusion of different castings, blocks, line, wood stock, etc. Those components (and others) are out of my control and are the sole provence of Model Expo. I have, when asked conveyed individuals suggestions and findings to Model Expo but that is the extent of my influence.
 
Additionally I am not rebuilding ESSEX. I will be testing parts for correct size, and stock weight and inclusion. I will be cross referencing drawings and manual as necessary to make sure that all information corroborates. 
 
This is not an opportunity for a group design - ESSEX is already designed (and looks pretty good when completed). If there is a process, method, sequence or approach that you as a builder do not care for or agree with you are entitled to your opinion(s). I in no way believe I have the market cornered on what is correct (to be honest I don't believe that there is a correct way of doing things in our mutual endeavors). Everyone does things differently. The way I have offered and suggest to the builder to achieve what is in front of them is just that - a suggestion. As it is with any kit and any Designer.............
 
Lastly, this is not about assigning blame to either Model Expo or myself. Rest assured we will collectively figure out what happened.
 
I will do my very best to move expediently through the process and work with Model Expo to get things corrected as quickly as possible. 
 
Thank you for all your interest, support, suggestions, encouragement and friendship. Please keep checking back for progress and updates. 
 
This is what really makes MSW great!
 
ESSEX didn't give up without one hell of a fight at Valparaiso - neither will I.
 
Samuel Cassano, Jr. 
Designer, ESSEX
 

Hi,
Of course I made connect  for vacuum cleaner.
 
Tadeusz

I've had bad luck finding inexpensive numbered drills that are accurately sized. I recently ordered some from an online company called Drills & Cutters. Every one of them was undersized. For example, all the drills in the package of #71s were actually #72s (.025 instead of .026). I'd ordered 6 different sizes and all exhibited the same problem. The drills, by the way, are actually made by Drill America, which has their own website. I contacted Drills & Cutters about the problem and they sent replacements without charge and didn't ask for the bad ones back. Sadly, the replacements were just the same - every one undersized. I suppose you could take a chance and order one size larger of each to maybe get what you need, but I've asked for a full refund and intend to send them all back. I just don't want to deal with them any more. I'd ordered some from MicroMark as well before that and saw the same issue - some were even two sizes smaller than they should have been. Of course, companies like MSC Direct and Harvey's have drills that are probably accurately sized, but the price! Geez - around $10 apiece. That's a bit much for my pocket book. The ones from Drills & Cutters were all under $1 apiece. I guess you get what you pay for.

Hi,
I have modified my Proxxon table saw.
Bigger table and box for accessories and easy blade change.
Electromagnetic on-off switch added, elimination of stupid warning light.
 
Tadeusz

Print Screen, then paste into a graphics program.

Thanks for the info on the snipping tool.

Print Screen, then paste into a graphics program.

Anyone getting the new Bluejacket Kit of the USS Kearsarge might want to consider building her lesser known older sister ship instead.
 
More heavily armed than the Kearsarge, in October 1864, she mounted one 100-pounder rifle, six 9-inch Dahlgren smooth-bores and two 30-pounder Rifles.
 
The First Battle of Fort Fisher:
 
 
"Detailed report of Commander Ammen, U. 5. Navy, commanding U. S. 5. Mohican.

U.  S. S. MOHICAN,
Off Beaufort, N. C., December 31, 1864.
    ADMIRAL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
General Order No. 75, directing comman ding officers to make their
report in relation to our attacks on Fort Fisher and the adjacent earth-
works, and also a copy of a communication to you from Major-General
Benj. F. Butler, and in regard to some points touched upon you request
an opinion.
    At about 11:30 a. in. of the 24th, the fleet got underway and stood
in, in line of battle, toward Fort Fisher, bearing about W. S. W. and
some 6 or 7 miles distant. The Mohican was kept closely in position
assigned, following the leading vessel, the frigate Minnesota, and fol-
lowed by the frigate Colorado, and she successively by the other ves-
sels forming the main line.
    At about 1 p. in. the Minnesota sheered in out of line and took up
her position at anchor, opening at once on Fort Fisher, some 2,100
yards distant. As per plan of battle, the Mohican was sheered in ahead

Page 310

310    NORTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON.

of her, fired slowly on the fort, to get a range, and aiichored, then
opened briskly with the whole battery. The fort had opened on the
Minnesota and on the Mohican previous to our anchoring.
    The Colorado sheered in ahead of us, letting go kedge astern, and
then anchored and opened fiercely on the fort. The vessels forming
the line then successively, with more or less success, took np their
positions and opened.
    The ironclads, led by the New Ironsides, had anchored, a few minutes
preceding the Minnesota, some 500 or 600 yards to the northward and
westward, and were slowly getting their range when we anchored,
and the outer line of ves~els moved into position after the maui line
had anchored, and opened on the Mound and several detached ease-
mated guns.
    The fire from the fort became weak as the vessels anchored and
opened fire. It was soon apparent that they could not work their bar-
bette guns without great loss of life, and the guns crews no doubt
retreated under shelter with a few exceptions where high travel ses and
favorable angles gave them great protection. Different casemated
guns, particularly those mounted in detached mounds and toward the
Mound, continued to fire slowly and evidently with not much effect,
nor would the position of the guns served favor an effective fire. The
whole body of Fort Fisher was filled with bursting shells, and only at
long intervals, if at all, was a gun fired from the main work.
    In the meantime, owing to the wind and the set of the tide, I found
that the use of the propeller and the helm would no longer enable me
to bring the broadside to bear, and was obliged to weigh anchor and
maneuver under steam, holding our position as nearly as possible, and
avoiding interfering with the firing of the other vessels. After exhaust-
ing all the filled IX-inch shells on board ready for use, the Mohican
was withdrawn from the line at about 4:10 p. in., making signal to
you of the cause, and we commenced filling shells without delay. After
sunset the fleet withdrew and the Mohi can ran into line and anchored.
    At about 9 a. m. of the 25th the signal was made to get underway
and form line of battle. The Mohican took her position and the fleet
stood in to the attack. When nearly under fire I was directed verbally
from you not to take position until further orders.
    The Minnesota, the leading vessel of the main line, proceeded in and
anchored, got underway, and, after various attempts, obtained a well-
chosen position, the main line awaiting her movements. The ironclads
having preceded [us], during this time were in position, firing slowly
and receiving a part of the fire of Fort Fisher.
    After the position of the Minnesota was satisfactory I received orders
from you, about noon, to take position close astern of the New Iron-
sides, which I did without delay, firing slowly until a good range was
obtained, then opened briskly on the fort. Iwas enabled to see, through
the absence of smoke, that our fire was very effective, delivered at a
short 10-second range. One of the rebels guns was seen to be dis-
mounted by our fire.
    Half an hour after we had anchored the Colorado passed ahead of the
Minnesota and into position, anchoring and delivering a very effective
fire. The whole line soon took position and opened very heavily and
evidently with great effect, driving the rebels from their guns, with a
few exceptions, as those in casemates amid other places sheltered and
distant. The position of the Mohican enabled me to see well, as I was
first at anchor within half a ships length of the New Ironsides, ans

Page 311

finding that anchoring impeded an effective use of the battery, I
weighed, and in delivering fire drifted 100 or 200 yards nearer the fort.
    At 2:05 p. m. the suppiy of the 10 second fuzes and the rifle ammu-
nition was exhausted, and the Mohican was withdrawn from action for
the purpose of obtaining more, speaking the Malvern for the purpose
and obtaining none. Not being directed to go under fire again, we
remained spectators near the Minnesota~ until about 4 p. in., when I
received orders to aid in debarking troops, and proceeded to execute,
but instead of debarking aided in bringing off the soldiers that had
already reached the shore.
    It has not been my lot to witness any operation comparable in force
or in effect to the bombardment of Fort Fisher by the fleet, and I feel
satisfied that any attempt to keep out of their bombproofs or to work
their guns would have been attended with great loss of life to the rebels,
and would have proven a fruitless attempt.
    On the first day we delivered 217 IX-inch shells, 59 100-pounder
rifle, and 89 30-pounder rifle shells. On the second day we delivered
103 IX-inch shells, 20 100-pounder rifle, and 25 30-pounder rifle shells,
making a total of 513.
    Our firing was effective as well as rapid, and I have to express my
high appreciation of the ability and zeal of Lieutenant J. D. Marvin,
the executive officer of this vessel, and of Acting Master William Bur-
ditt, whose long and varied professional experience proved useful.
Acting Boatswain Josiah B. Aiken, owing to a deficiency of officers,
had charge of the 100-pounder rifle and served it admirably.
    I have to express my satisfaction at the excellent behavior of the
officers and crew, and do not doubt that when the occasion arrives
when they should do so they will stand to their guns as long as enough
men remain to serve them.
    In relation to the effect of the fire of the fleet on the fort, I beg leave
to express my congratulations, as I did verbally on meeting you after
the actions. It did not require a visit to the fort to see that enormous
traverses were nearly leveled, as at the S. E. angle. The stockade or
abattis must have been much shattered, and the debris from the par-
apets must have filled in the ditch greatly. I feel satisfied that every-
thing was effected that can be by powerful batteries against a sand-
work, and that we could and can keep the enemy in their bombproofs
pending an advance of troops to the foot of the parapet.
    The official letter of General Butler referred to, [which] states that
General Weitzel advanced his skirmish line within 50 yards of the fort,
while the garrison was kept in their bombproofs by the fire of the navy,
and so closely that three or four mcii of the picket line ventured upon
the parapet and through the sally-port of the work, is, I think, entirely
confirmatory as to the effectiveness of our fire. He adds: This was
done while the shells of the navy were falling about the heads of the
(laring men who entered the work, but appears to forget that at any
given signal from an assaulting column, that this fire would cease and
the enemy be found not defending the parapet but safely stowed away
in bombproofs.
    I do not know what more could be asked of naval guns than to afford
a safe approach to the foot of the parapet with no lines of the enemy
drawn up to receive our forces. Beyond that, I suppose everything
would depend upon the relative forces of the combatants and the vigor
of the assault, and although the work might not, in a military sense, be
much injured, I would think the likelihood of carrying the work would

Page 312

be greatly increased by such disposition without loss of life of the
respective forces.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DANIEL AMMEN,
Commander.
    Rear-Admiral D. P. PORTER,
Commanding North Atlantic Squadron.
 

At  the Second battle of Fort Fisher, January 1865:
 
Report of Commander Ammen, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Mohican, transmitting report
of casualties.

U. S. S. MOHICAN,
Off New Inlet, North Carolina, January 17, 1865.
    SIR: I have the honor to report that at daylight on the morning of
the 13th the ~1Iahiean was got underway, following the Brooklyn, and
followed by the Tacony and the vessels composing the line, and stood in
and along the coast until the Half Moon battery was reached, some 3
miles to the northward of Fort Fisher, when the line anchored on sig-
nal and the shore line was shelled

Page 470

470    NORTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING SQUADRON.

    On signal all of our boats were sent to aid in debarking the troops,
which was accomplished at about 3p. m. On signal at 3:35 the Mohican
was again underway in line, as before, in close order, and anchored on
signal in line with kedge astern and anchor ahead, in position assigned,
opening on Fort Fisher at 4:25 and firing deliberately until 5:30, when
we withdrew on signal. Ninety-two IX-inch shells were expended dur-
ing the day.
    At 9:15 a. m. of the 15th the Mohican was got underway. On signal
and by verbal order wen t in to deliver fire on Fort Fisher, making fast
a stern line to the New Ironsides for a spring, and anchoring. At 10:30
we opened a deliberate fire on Fort Fisher, directed by signals from
time to time, and maintained it until 3:47, when signal was made to cease
firing. During the day 327 IX-inch shells were fired and 17 30-pounder
rifle shells, the latter directed at steamers in the river with rebel troops
and on the Federal Point batteries. The firing on both days was care-
fully delivered and was effective.
    In the meantime, obeying signals, the first, second, and fourth cutters
were dispatched, under charge of Acting Master William Burditt,
Acting Masters Mate James Paine, and Acting Boatswain Josiah
B. Aiken, with boats crews, containing a total of fifty-two officers, sail-
ors, and marines, to the rendezvous on the beach.
    The list of killed, wounded, and missing has been given in a separate
report.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DANIEL AMMEN,
Commander.
Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER,
Commanding North Atlantic A3quadron.

[Enclosure.]

U. S. S. MOITICAN,
Off New Inlet, North Carolina, January 16, 1865.
    SIR: The following casualties occurred to the crew of the Mohican
in our operations against Fort Fisher yesterday:

No.    Name.    Rate.    Remarks.
    1 Oscar Smith    sergeant, marines - - wound of neck; slight.
    2    John Le Mott Russell..    Marine    Bullet wound through left wrist.
    3    5tepben Moore     do    Bullet wound below left knee.
    4    Albert E. Harlowe    Coxswain    wound of left hand.
    5    John Sweeney     do    Killed; shot through heart.
    6    John 5ullivan    Seaman    Bullet wound of left thigh.
    7    Michael Mccauley     do    Flesh wound right leg.
    8    Samuel W. Woodward..    Ordinary seaman ...    Bullet wound below right knee.
    9    John Graham    Corporal, marines .     Bullet wound left shoulder; also by explosion of
                 magazine in Fort Fisher to-day.
    10    William F. Ryan    Marine - .. -     Severe contusions of breast and hack.
    11    Richard Broderick     (10    Sprain of right foot.

    Hiram J. ilenkey (landsman) is missing; was known to have been
wounded and supposed to have been taken on board of some vessel
belonging to the fleet.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
DANIEL AMMEN,
Commander.
Rear-Admiral DAVID D. PORTER,
Commanding North Atlantic Squadron

The Mohican was earlier at the Battle of Port Royal in 1861:
 
"The Report of Commander Gordon, U. S. Navy, commanding U. 5. S. Mohican, regarding casualties
to that vessel.

U. S. S. MOHICAN,
Port Royal Harbor, November 9, 1861.
    SIR: I have to report that in the engagement off Hilton Head this
ship suffered the following damage:
    Shot in starboard main yardarm, five shot in hull.
    One screw to main rigging carried away by a shot. Serious injuries
to after hatch; nothing, however, that may not readily be repaired
with some carpenters aid. One of my boats is so much injured that it
must be replaced or repaired at once, and I have not the means. The
officers and crew did what I expected of them in the engagement, their
entire duty, with spirit and heart.
 
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant.
S.    W. Gordon,
Commander.
    
Flag-Officer S. F. Du PONT,
Commanding South Atlantic Blockading Squadron"
   
 
"

1861: Mohican chasing blockade runners:
 
"Report of Commander Gordon, U. S. Navy, commanding U. S. S. Mohican.
U. S. S. MOHICAN,

Off Charleston, January, 1862.
    Sir:    
 
I have to report that yesterday, about half past 6 in the morn-
ing watch, a heavy fog at the time, heard the report of a gun in the
direction of the Roebuck. Slipped my cable and stood in for Moffitts
Channel, but could see nothing. Another gun was heard, and a moment
after saw a steamer inside and near the bar heading to eastward. Gave
chase, when she stood inshore and moved at full speed. I yawed the
ship to fire a long gun. For a momeiit she stopped, but, the fog lifting.
she saw the buoys and made for them. I followed, but found she was
gaining on me fast. I therefore again yawed to fire my XI-inch shells
at her in hopes of disabling her machinery-my only chance. I burst
my shells near her and about her, but she reached the channel and
entered. I regret to say that the Mohican has quite lost her speed in
the last six months, and now I can only obtain 6 or 7 knots under the
same steam and same revolutions which formerly gave inc 9 and 10.
The engines and boilers have been in use without an overhauling for
more than two years. This and a very foul bottom may account for
her sluggishness, but does not relieve mae from the serious annoyance
of having a very slow vessel to do duty requiring the greatest speed.
I have now placed time ship to within half a mile range of a long gun
on Sullivans Island, below Fort Moultrie, but at least three steamers
should he here, and one, at least, very fist, and they must rule out all
gales except south-westers. Then they will he obliged to go to sea.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
s.    w: Gordon,
Commander.
Flag-Officer S. F. du Pont,
Commanding South Atlantic Rlockading Squadron."
 
Commodore du Pont's letter [edited by me] to the Secretary of the Navy states that the USS Mohican actually hit her!
 
"Report of Flag- Officer Du Pont, U. S. Navy, regarding the escape into
Charleston, S. C., of the blockade runner Isabel.
Private.    FLAGSHiP WABASH,
Port Royal Harbor, S. C., January Ii, 1862.
    
    ... The Isabel, I am sorry to say, has got into Charleston, in a fog. The
Mohican slipped her chain instantly on the lookout vessel of that chan-
nel firing a gun, but the Isabel was too swift. The Mohican blew her
stern off by a shell; this we have from deserters from Stono to-day,
brought down by the Pocahontas. She had coffee on board; no arms.
    
The Mohican chased her until she drew the fire of the forts.
     
I am, dear sir, faithfully, yours,
S.    F. Du PONT,
Flag- Officer.
 
to:Hon. GIDEON WELLES,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington."
 
 
*** Correction: Her Commander was Sylvanus William Godon, not Gordon. ***

I found this on the Civil War Talk discussion board, by a Mike d.
 
"

FROM MEMPHIS.
Particulars of the Disaster to tbe Acacia. [Correspondence of the Missouri Democrat.] , Memphis. August 2'Jd. — From persona who came up this, morning on the steamboat Con- ' way, we have some particulars of the disaster ; to the steamboat Acacia. The Acacia left this place about eight o'clock on Wednesday evening, bound for Helena, having on board between seventy and eighty passengers, being convalescent soldiers and officers returning to army at Helena, sutlers, cotton buyers, and rive or six ladies, the wives  of officers, going to meet their husbands at Helena. The night, though not cloudy, was what the pilots call a "gray night," or "hazy about the horizon" so that all landmarks were blurred and indistinct, and from this cause the Acacia may have got out of the channel. About half  past one o'clock in the morning, when she had reached the foot of "Grand Cut Off," a little over sixty miles below this place, and was running over a bur, she struck a log which lay on the bottom, tearing a hole in the bottom of the boat of the width of one or two planks, and almost the entire length of the boat. She immediately began to fill rapidly, and the pilot, seeiugthat sb'e was about to sink, stopped the engines and signaled the engineer to back her, so as to keep her from goiug over the reef and sinking in deep water. Every one who is at all acquainted with the formation of sand bars in rivers, knows that the reef, or the high ridge of the bar, always runs at a right angle to the current, the lower, or down stream side, of the reef, is almost perpendicular and stands like a wall along the upper side of the channel, which zigzags from one shore to the other, and a few yards below this reef is always the deepest water in the river, while above the reef the water is shallow but very gradually deepens for miles as you go up stream. The Acacia struck so near the edge of the reef that the reversing of the engines would not check her headway before|she was carried over the reef, where in about five minutes her hull tilled and she capsized, and lay for a few minutes with the cabin nearly submerged. While this was taking place the dim scene was rendered more horrible, by the indistinct cries of the wretched souls who bad been unable to escape from the cabin, and who were being drowned as the cabin slowly settled deeper and deeper. The heated boilers too, broke loose, and went settling down, sending up a cloud of steam through the floating masses of wreck. In a few minutes the cabin with the " texas" and pilot house began to break loose from the hull and soon separated from it entirely. The hull turned bottom side up and floated down a few miles where it lodged in a shallow place, in the channel. The cabin, which still floated on its side, rose a little higher out of the water as soon us it separated from the hull, and all the passengers who could reach it, seventeen or eighteen in all, clambered on top. With these it drifted off rapidly down stream. Dozens of others were drifting near it on smaller pieces of the wreck. After drifting several miles, the wreck of the cabin came so near the shore that it passed under a tree which leaned out and hung very lowover the water. About half a dozen of those who were on the wreck managed to catch the branches as they drifted under, and so clambered along the tree to the batik. The rest, however, drifted on down twenty miles below where the accident occurred, to opposite the mouth of St. Francis river. Here the floating wreck was burled by the rapid current against a huge snag, which completely demolished it, literally breaking cabin, texas and pilot house into kindling wood. It was now daylight. As the wreck of the cabin went to pieces, those who had been drifting on it saw many of the bodies of the unfortunates who had been drowned in the cabin thrown  temporarily to the surface, among the debris of the wreck. About this time the steamboat Conway, from | Helena, came in sight, and began picking up those who were .still afloat. She also rescued half a dozen who had succeeded in getting to the bank. And soon after the dispatch lx>at W. H. 8., on her way to' Helena from this port, came in sight, she having also picked up a number from pieces of the wreck, which were scattered for many miles along the river. Thirty or forty of the passengers and crew of the Acacia came back to this place on the Conway, and quite a number, including all the officers and soldiers who had been on board, went down to Helena on the W. H. B. Out of the one hundred and fifteen or one hundred and twenty who were on board the Acacia, it is supposed that fully forty were drowned. Among the lost were  four ladies and three children; they were in their staterooms asleep when the accident occurred, and were unable to get out of the cabin ; only two ladies are known to have been saved. The reason assigned for 60 few escaping from the cabin is, that the boat instantly careened over so much that it was impossible for any one to walk the floor. When the wreck of the cabin, after drifting so far, struck the snag that tore it to pieces, a negro who was on the wreck, was somehow left clinging to the snag, which projected above the water several feet, and to which the swift current gave a sawing motion, and one instant he was plunged down into the water, and the next raised again several feet above the surface. In this uncomfortable fix he clung several hours, until rescued by the Conway. The Acacia "had about seventy-five tons of freight on board, mostly sutlers' stores, all of which was lost. A large amount of money was ulso lost, by cotton buyers and others ; one man lost eight thousand dollars is gold, and another two thousand. A number of the survivors got off to shore near the residence cf Sirs. Dr. Kent, who showed them every assistance in her power. At one place when the Conway landed to rescue some of the survivors, the officers of the boat were told that a band of guerrillas were then looking at them with glasses from the opposite shore. All the survivors mention the name of Thomas Baldwin, the engineer of the Acacia, with commendation, for having stood at his post endeavoring to back the engines until the water rendered it impossible. The Evening Bulletin says of the unfortunate boat : " The Acacia wag the old W. IT. Langlev, which used to run to White river and other side streams, and for some time run with the Kate Frisbee in Ciiptuin Shirley's Memphis aud Vicksburg packet line. The boat was old and unfit for service. She was owned by Captain Price. " The only names we have been able to obtain are the following, which were signed to a series of resolutions which they passed, eulogizing the humanity of the officers of the Conwa\, and expressing gratitude for their generous efforts to save their lives, and kindness after they were taken on board. The names ore: "John Brown, Jbo. Carson, Charles Ross. Jno. Siven, John G. Uuer, Berom Leore, N. Lewe, E. Ringler, W. S Wood, T. Heidelberger, .1. R. Smith, Eighth Indiana; Robert A. Brown, Eighth Indiana; Isaac A. Sharp, Eighth Indiana; Letman A. White, Eighth Indiana; William Streaemeicr, John Burgess, W. U. Ashwell. I certify that the above is correct. E. Ringlek, Assistant Surgeon, Fifty-eighth Regiment, Ohio Volunteers.'' The only nanio I have been able to learn of any one certainly lost is that of Mrs. Scliuman, the wife ofj^Uiiptain in the army at Helena. The wife^Tso, of a Colonel at Helena, whose name Ijould not learn, was lost. Wit for Cabbages. — A contributor to the Farmer and Gardener remarks upon this subject"

 

 

Another version:

 

"Charleston Mercury, September 3, 1862

Terrible Steamboat Disaster on the Mississippi
Memphis papers contain the particulars of a serious disaster on the Mississippi, which occurred at Grand Cut Off, sixty miles below the city, on Thursday last. The stern wheel steamer Accasia, on her way down to Helena, with a passenger and crew list of over one hundred and fifty, struck a snag, about 2 o'clock, a. m., and was so badly damaged as to sink almost immediately. The water rushed into the hold with extreme rapidity, and in five minutes of the time of striking, the boat keeled over and completely capsized. The "skylight" parted from the rest, and with the "texas" or pilot house and the staterooms, connected with it, floated. The hull completely capsized, and in doing so, glided from the shoal where the accident took place, and sunk in the deep water. So rapid did all this take place, the shock -- the rush of the waters into the hull below -- the rolling of the rolling overboard of the chimneys above -- the riving of parting timbers, as the hurricane deck separated from the cabin, and this at a time when nearly every tenant of the ill-fated boat was in deep sleep, that there was no opportunity for one to help another. Those who were on the hurricane deck heard agonizing cries, heart-rending exclamations, and vain calls for help from those below. Then they and the rest were all struggling in the waves that surged wildly round the spot where the capsized boat was swallowed up. Of the passengers, it is estimated that at least one-half, seventy-five persons, perished. One white woman and a colored chamber maid were saved, five ladies were carried down when the boiler deck broke from the hull and the hurricane from that. None of the survivors saw anything of the ladies. They probably, in their wild fright, made some attempt at dress, and those few moments were fatal. The captain, clerk, and crew, with the exception of some of the deck hands and the negro cook, got safely to land. There was on board eight thousand dollars in gold, besides the freight, valued at two thousand dollars."  
 
 
   

The 3D hull in the above drawing, is not solid, I used surfaces between the frames to give the look of solid, so I could see what she looked like.
 
DesignCAD does not extrude a solid thing. It just make tall 2D walls, with no top or bottom surface, so I can't for example extrude a keel outline to 1/8" thick, and then operate on it like it was a regular 3D thing. The solid drawing shapes like a box or cylinder work just fine with solid add, subtract, and the other operators, but not extruded objects.
 
That is the point I am at now with my new drawing of the boat above. I have to relearn AutoCAD (which I have an old copy of), in order to extrude a solid keel and frames. Then I'll import them into DesignCAD to continue. Why not just use the AutoCAD? It's an old copy, and I expect every new version of Windows to not run it, so far they have, but I'm familiar with DesignCAD, and can afford to upgrade it now and then, I'll never be able to afford a new copy of AutoCAD. DesignCAD is almost as good, just not in the Extrude operation.
 
To illustrate this I have two drawings.
 

 
The first is a random 2D polygon I generated, then extruded, with a box I made using the Solids menu. The box is of course, on the left, the polygon on the right.
 

 
The second drawing is the above with using the "Hidden Line Removal" command. The box came out correct, but not the extruded shape.
 
I can save a 2D projection, and remove the extra lines, and have, but I can't just do it automatically.
 
Here are examples of that:
 

 
The 3D drawing with hidden lines removed. The inner bands are 3D solids – Tubes, the outer band is an extruded shape, notice that the walls of the inner bands were not hidden, as the extrusion has no top surface. The end piece is generated from adding and subtracting solids, and also came out correct.
 

 
This is the 2D projection drawing, as it was generated.
 

 
Here it is after I cleaned it up by hand.

After generating the hull lines, I go to 3D mode, draw out the base line, waterline, whatever you are using to determine the fore aft positions of the hull lines in the X direction. Then I rotated the hull lines 90 deg. so they run in the XZ rather than XY direction. Each "frame' is then positioned at its repective place on the reference line. you now have the 3D model of your hull.
The following pictures are screen captures of "The Maryland Terrapin Smack 1886" that I drew:
 

 
This is the station lines, keel, and deck center line laid out in the X axis.
 

 
In this I've loaded in the frames, rotated them into the XZ plane, and have move some of them onto their locations. Note that this boat has a flat bottom and slab sides, but a regular curved hull is done the same way.
 

 
Here the frames and transom are all in place, and I have used a curve line with defining points set at each frame to define the Chine and Shear.
 

 
Much further down the line, I have added surfaces, deck furniture, etc.  These are all half hulls, but all it takes then is to duplicate and mirror the finished side, then stick them together.
 
These drawings were made from a scanned page in a book. I've since purchased the full sized plans, and started over to make a more accurately scaled drawing. I'm just starting the 3D drawings for this. There are many other layers of details that are not shown.
 

 
At this time I am concentrating on Chesapeake Bay boats, for scratch building future models. In the pasted I've CADed 2D drawings of WWII era ships, for semi-scale 144th scale models (to scale, but lacking fine detailing).

Now the time to begin gluing.   At first I try some frames. All go very well. And in a short time I has the result.
 






 
Next glue parts 15-1 and 15-2 together. This is the keel. It fit in the plase very well, without any sanding.
 







 
And glued top parts of the frames. It fits without any problems too.
 



 
Now the time to plase frames 2 and 3. And keel parts 15A, 15B. Later  frames 13, 14 and keel part 15C.
 






 
That's all today .
 
 

nice   i made a plastic model of the arizona  and it looked diffrent than the pictures in some ways   interesting to see them  thanks

Yes that is the way the sander is designed, in use the pins always stayed at the top of the slot.  The slot was just so you could remove the table.