Thistle17

After nearly 4 years of searching, I have finally received information on the identity of the model shown below. It was found in an antique shop in upstate NY by a member of the Modelshipwrights of Western New York much as it appears today. Sadly the member has died and I purchased it from his estate as it is a superbly built scratch model of faithful reproduction. I just could not let it fall by the wayside in the estate liquidation.
 
With the help of members of the Hampton Roads and New Jersey modelers group it was found in the National Watercraft Collection publication by Howard Chapelle. Plans (lines and deck layout) reside in the Smithsonian archives and I have requested a copy to support my restoration.
 
The pictures attached are from my cell phone and as I cannot call myself an amateur photographer they will have to do until I invest in better equipment. The pictures do not do justice to the quality of this model so I add further description.
 
The model is about 27 inches at the waterline with a breath of approximately 6 inches. Given the information in the National Watercraft Collection second edition it would be 1:24 scale as that seems to be the size of the full scale vessel or 55 feet (WL). She is constructed of boxwood.It appears to be fully ribbed internally. I might add that the model has some years of age as the wood has mellowed to a rich creamy  tan color. Everything about this model shouts it is the work of a master modeler. All planking, joinery, fittings, rigging and detail are flawlessly done. All deck fittings are scratch built from ferrous metal. All blocks and rigging treatment are of fine execution. The decking and planking is treated with simulated tree nails. The builder must have familiarized him or her self with construction details that can be found in Chapelle's e book, The Migrations of an American Boat Type, as they are so well reproduced in the model.
 
It needs some work, as in its travels some items are missing or in need of repair. These include some cabin and engine room hatches, the repair of the main well amid ship that has stared to come apart, rigging that needs repair or replacement and it sorely needs a new mounting and case.
 
I would like to document its restoration work for the sake of tje former modeler in hopes that someone out there may recognize her and possibly identify the person who built this fine model.
 
Work will begin when the Smithsonian plan shows up.
 
Joe

Your due diligence (13 months REALLY?) and extremely fine work have yiekded something very special. Thank you for sharing!
Joe

Your due diligence (13 months REALLY?) and extremely fine work have yiekded something very special. Thank you for sharing!
Joe

I know i have said this before but the gun tub is a project in itself making progress measured. Since the last posting, Jim, has made further advancement by assembly  (albeit dry) of the gun carriage suspension components and has started some work of the gun locking system and other internal details. I think he is doing himself proud. Would you agree?
 
Please note the guns are not mounted in their respective carriages but lay along side for perspective.
Joe

Kevin we were in various stages of lock down in NYS for approximately 6 months until we beat it back to a low infection rate only to have it surge again year end. The only salvation for me beyond the good company of my lovely wife was modeling. With the rollout of the vaccine in your area here is hoping life as you have known it can be returned sooner than later.
Joe

I have been so busy with other tasks, some apart from modeling, that I have neglected checking in here.
 
Our gun tub is being modeled by one of our members, a retired Navy Captain, who was responsible for propulsion systems on neuclear craft. as such he has incredible talent for detail and has been using references of a detailed nature. I have seen the results of his recent work (since the Covid relaxation of restrictions) and it is outstanding. The Patriots Point information we had has led us a bit astray as that now appears to us as a creation out of need and lack of authentic elements. Please do not interpret that as a lack of gratitude of their support.
 
If you PM me I will put you in touch with our member and he should/would be happy to help you out.
 
Joe

No Glenn I do not but I will share pictures with you if you would like. When I started this model I just wasn't that confident of my work. Over the past 2 years I have gotten better. Early on when i was planking her it took 3 tries on the starboard side and 2 on the port side to get a level of quality i could live with. With the fine work on this site I have learned well enough to feel my work is acceptable. Here is a picture of the mast bands installedl sans final alignment and the eye bolts. still need the inclusion of the fid top mast. In looking at chapter 12 this AM I thought i could get away with an eye bolt for the lower band but realize that is really going to need the extended form of termination.
 
Also my blackening agent did not live up to the need. I think part of the problem was i used acid core solder and likely it did not clean off the bands well. Good thing it will be painted.
 
BTW you folk took a beating along I35 yesterday. I lived in Denton in the 70s right along 35 and I remember the violent thunderstorms to this day. This must have been horrific.
 
Joe

I have been so busy with other tasks, some apart from modeling, that I have neglected checking in here.
 
Our gun tub is being modeled by one of our members, a retired Navy Captain, who was responsible for propulsion systems on neuclear craft. as such he has incredible talent for detail and has been using references of a detailed nature. I have seen the results of his recent work (since the Covid relaxation of restrictions) and it is outstanding. The Patriots Point information we had has led us a bit astray as that now appears to us as a creation out of need and lack of authentic elements. Please do not interpret that as a lack of gratitude of their support.
 
If you PM me I will put you in touch with our member and he should/would be happy to help you out.
 
Joe

I am still scratching my head bitao; incredible work in an incredibly short period. I used to work in a software development group and the manager I assumed responsibility from had a saying. "You can always tell the quality of the work by the sharpness of ones tools". So I look at your table saw top and see not a scratch or mar. I have studied your shop made tools. I have witnessed your execellence of work produc and  I am dazzled by your speed of execution. What else can I say but well done indeed!
Joe

I am still scratching my head bitao; incredible work in an incredibly short period. I used to work in a software development group and the manager I assumed responsibility from had a saying. "You can always tell the quality of the work by the sharpness of ones tools". So I look at your table saw top and see not a scratch or mar. I have studied your shop made tools. I have witnessed your execellence of work produc and  I am dazzled by your speed of execution. What else can I say but well done indeed!
Joe

I am still scratching my head bitao; incredible work in an incredibly short period. I used to work in a software development group and the manager I assumed responsibility from had a saying. "You can always tell the quality of the work by the sharpness of ones tools". So I look at your table saw top and see not a scratch or mar. I have studied your shop made tools. I have witnessed your execellence of work produc and  I am dazzled by your speed of execution. What else can I say but well done indeed!
Joe

I am still scratching my head bitao; incredible work in an incredibly short period. I used to work in a software development group and the manager I assumed responsibility from had a saying. "You can always tell the quality of the work by the sharpness of ones tools". So I look at your table saw top and see not a scratch or mar. I have studied your shop made tools. I have witnessed your execellence of work produc and  I am dazzled by your speed of execution. What else can I say but well done indeed!
Joe

I am still scratching my head bitao; incredible work in an incredibly short period. I used to work in a software development group and the manager I assumed responsibility from had a saying. "You can always tell the quality of the work by the sharpness of ones tools". So I look at your table saw top and see not a scratch or mar. I have studied your shop made tools. I have witnessed your execellence of work produc and  I am dazzled by your speed of execution. What else can I say but well done indeed!
Joe

Roger I can't tell from the drawing as it only shows a side profile with not much detail. I just posted a new reference from the NC Maritime Museum via its curator so I will give him a shout to see if he knows. Thanks for the heads up. The aforementioned reference is under the topic "Discussions for ship plans etc." on this site.
Joe

Roger I can't tell from the drawing as it only shows a side profile with not much detail. I just posted a new reference from the NC Maritime Museum via its curator so I will give him a shout to see if he knows. Thanks for the heads up. The aforementioned reference is under the topic "Discussions for ship plans etc." on this site.
Joe

The drawing from the Smithsonian came today so there is no excuse for me to proceed with the restoration. If you send off to them count on about a 2 week delivery.
 
I will say that the drawing is quite good in quality reprint and is faithful in its scale to the model i.e. 1:24. The recorded length is 53' 2" with a beam of 11' 11". I remain mystified or perplexed at how the original modeler acquired the subtle information that the drawing either does not show or depict in sufficient detail. I have scanned the web for Florida commercial fishing history articles and pictures to no avail. I have looked up Florida museums that might have some documentation again without results. The one thing i do have now is a very good idea of the ship's wheel size. It is fortunate that missing elements can be replicated with confidence from surrounding works.
Joe

David thank you for the excerpt. I will revise my methodology for the ships wheel and proceed.
Joe

The drawing from the Smithsonian came today so there is no excuse for me to proceed with the restoration. If you send off to them count on about a 2 week delivery.
 
I will say that the drawing is quite good in quality reprint and is faithful in its scale to the model i.e. 1:24. The recorded length is 53' 2" with a beam of 11' 11". I remain mystified or perplexed at how the original modeler acquired the subtle information that the drawing either does not show or depict in sufficient detail. I have scanned the web for Florida commercial fishing history articles and pictures to no avail. I have looked up Florida museums that might have some documentation again without results. The one thing i do have now is a very good idea of the ship's wheel size. It is fortunate that missing elements can be replicated with confidence from surrounding works.
Joe

The drawing from the Smithsonian came today so there is no excuse for me to proceed with the restoration. If you send off to them count on about a 2 week delivery.
 
I will say that the drawing is quite good in quality reprint and is faithful in its scale to the model i.e. 1:24. The recorded length is 53' 2" with a beam of 11' 11". I remain mystified or perplexed at how the original modeler acquired the subtle information that the drawing either does not show or depict in sufficient detail. I have scanned the web for Florida commercial fishing history articles and pictures to no avail. I have looked up Florida museums that might have some documentation again without results. The one thing i do have now is a very good idea of the ship's wheel size. It is fortunate that missing elements can be replicated with confidence from surrounding works.
Joe

David thank you for the excerpt. I will revise my methodology for the ships wheel and proceed.
Joe

I must be getting senile, just saw the dimensions in the earlier post. Sorry . It is a tad too small for my project. Still a good deal for someone.
Joe

Can you supply dimensions?
Joe

I must be getting senile, just saw the dimensions in the earlier post. Sorry . It is a tad too small for my project. Still a good deal for someone.
Joe

I must be getting senile, just saw the dimensions in the earlier post. Sorry . It is a tad too small for my project. Still a good deal for someone.
Joe

Can you supply dimensions?
Joe