Cathead

I was just able to finish the steam wipers and the throttle housing before the holiday break.  I played around a little with the lighting and exposure time and think the photos turned out a little better.  I think the secret is as little light as possible when photographing brass.
 

I somehow just discovered this log. What a delight to have another western steamboat build here, though I'm in awe of your detailed metal work. You passed over the hull construction, if you ever want to go back and discuss that I would be quite interested. Also, as I don't know anything about this boat, is there any online info about it or the excavation? In any case, thanks so much for sharing this and I'll happily follow along.

After making small-scale approximations of similar engines for my own build, it's really neat to see detailed, larger, precise reproductions for comparison. It always strikes me how small steamboat engines actually are; my mind wants them to be much bigger relative to the boat.

After making small-scale approximations of similar engines for my own build, it's really neat to see detailed, larger, precise reproductions for comparison. It always strikes me how small steamboat engines actually are; my mind wants them to be much bigger relative to the boat.

After making small-scale approximations of similar engines for my own build, it's really neat to see detailed, larger, precise reproductions for comparison. It always strikes me how small steamboat engines actually are; my mind wants them to be much bigger relative to the boat.

After making small-scale approximations of similar engines for my own build, it's really neat to see detailed, larger, precise reproductions for comparison. It always strikes me how small steamboat engines actually are; my mind wants them to be much bigger relative to the boat.

After making small-scale approximations of similar engines for my own build, it's really neat to see detailed, larger, precise reproductions for comparison. It always strikes me how small steamboat engines actually are; my mind wants them to be much bigger relative to the boat.

After making small-scale approximations of similar engines for my own build, it's really neat to see detailed, larger, precise reproductions for comparison. It always strikes me how small steamboat engines actually are; my mind wants them to be much bigger relative to the boat.

The 8 year old computer that runs my mill gave out early in the week.  It has made a lot of parts in the last 2 years and was well worth the $28 that I paid for it from Ebay.  I just paid $50 for a replacement and hope it performs as well.  I was only able to make a handfull of parts but, I finally got the time to start assembling the engine.
 
 
Parts for the cam frame supports.

 
Completed cam frame supports.

 
 
The engine minus the rods levers and wipers for the poppet valves.

 

 
I have never been able to photograph brass well.  The suface shows every scuff and rub mark.  Blackening will give it a much more even appearance.

 
Steam wipers and supports.

Well, my beloved Royals have won the baseball World Series, and I'm back to work on the Bertrand. 
 

 
The main deck structures are complete, and I've mostly finished framing up the boiler deck. This was surprisingly difficult, as there's no flat frame of reference (the main deck curves in every direction). Getting the support posts vertical in both directions was quite interesting. I've been very bad about taking "process" photos during this stage, so you'll just have to imagine things. The only consistently flat frame of reference is, oddly enough, the bottom of the hull. So I made a complicated jig of solid wood strips clamped to the hull, from which I could extend vertical squares, onto which I clamped cross-ways strips, to which I could clamp the vertical posts. Fiddly, but effective. I also made strong use of the eyeball; I'd rather a line of posts LOOK straight relative to each other, even if they're slightly out of line relative to true vertical.
 
Once the posts were in place, I began adding cross-pieces. Technically the boiler deck should have a slight bit of camber to it, but I decided that would be too difficult and would be barely visible at this scale, as most of the deck will be covered by the cabins. The more significant camber of the main deck shows up nicely, and is sufficient for my taste. Thus the deck is flat athwartships, but curves gently fore and aft to follow the rise of the main deck in both directions. 
 

 
I finished planking the main deck as far I as intend to; this extent will allow the model to look complete from a port 45-degree angle fore or aft, but still leaves plenty of internal view from the starboard side. It's a little rough in places, but will have to do. I'll put a crate or something over a few plank ends that stick up more than I'd like.
 

 
View from the open starboard side. I've also finished installing the hog chain braces; these angled posts support metal rods running fore-and-aft, with turnbuckles on them, which keep the long, narrow hull from sagging/hogging. I won't install the actual rods until near the end of the project, as they'll be in the way, but needed to do the braces now as they extend through multiple decks. They're intentionally a bit longer than necessary, so I can cut them off just as I like them once I finish the superstructure. 
 
Currently I'm building the boiler assembly, which sits just forward of the cargo shed on the main deck. I intentionally haven't installed the vertical support posts at the front of the boiler deck, to allow me to slide the boiler in there. Once it's in place, I'll finish that area and install the staircases (already built) just in front of the boilers.
 
I think things will go rapidly for a little while, now. Install the boilers, connect them to the engines with steam lines, plank in the entire boiler deck, and then move on to building the cabin area. I still have to decide whether to order a bunch of styrene windows and doors, or try to make my own out of strip wood. The former would be far faster and more consistently detailed, but more expensive and hard to make look just like the surrounding wood. The latter would take a long time, but be a lot cheaper and fit in better if I can make them realistically enough. I'll decide once the next deck is done.
 
I'm holding out hope of reaching my goal to complete this model by the end of the year. Luckily the approach of winter means nice long evenings for quiet model work. She's certainly starting to look something like a steamboat. In the meantime, here's a fine Ozark fiddler playing "Jefferson City", one of Bertrand's ports of call on her way upriver.
 

 
 

Well, she doesn't look much different at first, but some detailed work has been done.
 

 
After a fair amount of consulting and cogitation, I settled on a design for the engines. As we have no idea what Bertrand's machinery actually looked like, I went for a representative approach; something that would capture the spirit of typical steamboat engines for the period. Something like this:
 

 
 
Experts will recognize some missing details; some will be added as I progress, some I didn't think I could replicate well enough to include. For example, I haven't yet added any of the overhead piping that brings steam to the cylinders from the boilers (forward), or the chimneys for cylinder exhaust, both of which will be easier to do later as I progress on the superstructure. But the overall effect is good enough for me.
 
Also completed are the tiller arms, and one side of the bulkheads that separate them from the engineer's main work area. The starboard side won't be built to keep the view lines open from that direction. Note the scratchbuilt workbench forward of the bulkhead. That was a fun little side project.
 

 
Photos from the museum model were useful in getting drivers reasonably right. I also built the aft bulkhead, painted red as on most steamboats of this era. The wheel really turns, though the drivers don't (I wasn't up for making working pistons). Later I'll be adding the various bracing that supports the weight of the wheel, but not yet.
 
Next up, framing up the rest of the main deck superstructure and walling it in. Then the various angled hog chain braces and their iron rods, then finishing the decking, then building the boiler and remaining machinery and running the necessary steam lines. 
 
No idea when the next update will be. Baseball playoffs will be a major time sink for the next month until the Royals' season is over.
 
EDIT: upon re-reading, I fixed an embarrassing error. I referred to the main and boiler decks as the same thing, which they're not. The boiler deck is one level above the main, despite the boilers themselves being on the main. I knew this, but it's easy to confuse if you're not paying attention. I've never seen a convincing explanation of why the boiler deck is called that, but it has always been so on steamboats to the extent of my knowledge.

The Revell Bounty was my second plastic ship kit, and I thought it a nice model. I didn't have trouble with any of the parts, and it's large enough to be easy to work with; I also chose to add more detailed rigging, which was quite possible at its scale. It let me practice a few "custom" additions while being a straightforward kit to assemble.
 
It still looks nice on the bookshelf, with its weathered sails and homemade stand.

Hello Cathead,
 
I hope you don't mind if I follow your built and borrow some ideas from you.  We have pretty good information on most of the hull up to the deck.  Almost nothing exists above that but, we can guess at  some of it from post holes.  Dr. Kevin Crisman has done a lot of research and has come up with a beautiful reconstruction of how the vessel looked.  He has a profile but he is still working on an internal profile and the details of the upper works.
 
You can download a .pdf of our  IJNA article on the machinery at
 
https://tamu.academia.edu/GlennGrieco
 
Just click on Kevin's name on the page an it will take you to several of Kevin's articles on the Heroine and several other projects that he worked on.
 
I have also done a number of models of different aspects of the wreck that you can find at
 
http://nautarch.tamu.edu/model/report5/
 
Most of the constuction of the lower hull was down from hundreds of pages of field notes from the excavation and we don't have compete drawings yet.  If there are specific details that you are interested in, let me know and I'll try to find the specifics for you.
 
I'm happy to hear from you and I look forward to following your build.
 
Cheers,
 
Glenn

I somehow just discovered this log. What a delight to have another western steamboat build here, though I'm in awe of your detailed metal work. You passed over the hull construction, if you ever want to go back and discuss that I would be quite interested. Also, as I don't know anything about this boat, is there any online info about it or the excavation? In any case, thanks so much for sharing this and I'll happily follow along.

I somehow just discovered this log. What a delight to have another western steamboat build here, though I'm in awe of your detailed metal work. You passed over the hull construction, if you ever want to go back and discuss that I would be quite interested. Also, as I don't know anything about this boat, is there any online info about it or the excavation? In any case, thanks so much for sharing this and I'll happily follow along.

I somehow just discovered this log. What a delight to have another western steamboat build here, though I'm in awe of your detailed metal work. You passed over the hull construction, if you ever want to go back and discuss that I would be quite interested. Also, as I don't know anything about this boat, is there any online info about it or the excavation? In any case, thanks so much for sharing this and I'll happily follow along.

I somehow just discovered this log. What a delight to have another western steamboat build here, though I'm in awe of your detailed metal work. You passed over the hull construction, if you ever want to go back and discuss that I would be quite interested. Also, as I don't know anything about this boat, is there any online info about it or the excavation? In any case, thanks so much for sharing this and I'll happily follow along.

What-eth so ever couldst thou mean-eth, my Goodly Man ??

 
And where is this "Perth" of which ye doest speak ??
I thought Perth was in Scotland.
 
 
 
"Arr ... thank ye, Jay !!" said CaptainSteve, blushing most deeply.
 
But a-fore Our Hero be getting ahead o' his ownself with all this newly-acquired stardom, mayhaps some progress .. some proof-of-life wouldst be in order.
 
"Well ... erm ... ahh," he were seen to blather, blushing even deeper than beforehand. "That is, umm, well," Our Hero tried to explain.
"Y'see, most of what has been done has, erm, needed to be re-done. And re-re-done. Numerous times, even."
 
For now, CaptainSteve has been playing with his newest Proxxon toy (the Scroll Saw), and working on the scantlings for the Captain quarters and galleries.
(Look, George !! I finally got to use that word !!)
 
"I be working on a proper update fer ye, I doth promise," he were to a-vow.
 
"I be leavin' ye with this, as a teaser", he didst state, in closing.

Well, my beloved Royals have won the baseball World Series, and I'm back to work on the Bertrand. 
 

 
The main deck structures are complete, and I've mostly finished framing up the boiler deck. This was surprisingly difficult, as there's no flat frame of reference (the main deck curves in every direction). Getting the support posts vertical in both directions was quite interesting. I've been very bad about taking "process" photos during this stage, so you'll just have to imagine things. The only consistently flat frame of reference is, oddly enough, the bottom of the hull. So I made a complicated jig of solid wood strips clamped to the hull, from which I could extend vertical squares, onto which I clamped cross-ways strips, to which I could clamp the vertical posts. Fiddly, but effective. I also made strong use of the eyeball; I'd rather a line of posts LOOK straight relative to each other, even if they're slightly out of line relative to true vertical.
 
Once the posts were in place, I began adding cross-pieces. Technically the boiler deck should have a slight bit of camber to it, but I decided that would be too difficult and would be barely visible at this scale, as most of the deck will be covered by the cabins. The more significant camber of the main deck shows up nicely, and is sufficient for my taste. Thus the deck is flat athwartships, but curves gently fore and aft to follow the rise of the main deck in both directions. 
 

 
I finished planking the main deck as far I as intend to; this extent will allow the model to look complete from a port 45-degree angle fore or aft, but still leaves plenty of internal view from the starboard side. It's a little rough in places, but will have to do. I'll put a crate or something over a few plank ends that stick up more than I'd like.
 

 
View from the open starboard side. I've also finished installing the hog chain braces; these angled posts support metal rods running fore-and-aft, with turnbuckles on them, which keep the long, narrow hull from sagging/hogging. I won't install the actual rods until near the end of the project, as they'll be in the way, but needed to do the braces now as they extend through multiple decks. They're intentionally a bit longer than necessary, so I can cut them off just as I like them once I finish the superstructure. 
 
Currently I'm building the boiler assembly, which sits just forward of the cargo shed on the main deck. I intentionally haven't installed the vertical support posts at the front of the boiler deck, to allow me to slide the boiler in there. Once it's in place, I'll finish that area and install the staircases (already built) just in front of the boilers.
 
I think things will go rapidly for a little while, now. Install the boilers, connect them to the engines with steam lines, plank in the entire boiler deck, and then move on to building the cabin area. I still have to decide whether to order a bunch of styrene windows and doors, or try to make my own out of strip wood. The former would be far faster and more consistently detailed, but more expensive and hard to make look just like the surrounding wood. The latter would take a long time, but be a lot cheaper and fit in better if I can make them realistically enough. I'll decide once the next deck is done.
 
I'm holding out hope of reaching my goal to complete this model by the end of the year. Luckily the approach of winter means nice long evenings for quiet model work. She's certainly starting to look something like a steamboat. In the meantime, here's a fine Ozark fiddler playing "Jefferson City", one of Bertrand's ports of call on her way upriver.
 

 
 

Well, my beloved Royals have won the baseball World Series, and I'm back to work on the Bertrand. 
 

 
The main deck structures are complete, and I've mostly finished framing up the boiler deck. This was surprisingly difficult, as there's no flat frame of reference (the main deck curves in every direction). Getting the support posts vertical in both directions was quite interesting. I've been very bad about taking "process" photos during this stage, so you'll just have to imagine things. The only consistently flat frame of reference is, oddly enough, the bottom of the hull. So I made a complicated jig of solid wood strips clamped to the hull, from which I could extend vertical squares, onto which I clamped cross-ways strips, to which I could clamp the vertical posts. Fiddly, but effective. I also made strong use of the eyeball; I'd rather a line of posts LOOK straight relative to each other, even if they're slightly out of line relative to true vertical.
 
Once the posts were in place, I began adding cross-pieces. Technically the boiler deck should have a slight bit of camber to it, but I decided that would be too difficult and would be barely visible at this scale, as most of the deck will be covered by the cabins. The more significant camber of the main deck shows up nicely, and is sufficient for my taste. Thus the deck is flat athwartships, but curves gently fore and aft to follow the rise of the main deck in both directions. 
 

 
I finished planking the main deck as far I as intend to; this extent will allow the model to look complete from a port 45-degree angle fore or aft, but still leaves plenty of internal view from the starboard side. It's a little rough in places, but will have to do. I'll put a crate or something over a few plank ends that stick up more than I'd like.
 

 
View from the open starboard side. I've also finished installing the hog chain braces; these angled posts support metal rods running fore-and-aft, with turnbuckles on them, which keep the long, narrow hull from sagging/hogging. I won't install the actual rods until near the end of the project, as they'll be in the way, but needed to do the braces now as they extend through multiple decks. They're intentionally a bit longer than necessary, so I can cut them off just as I like them once I finish the superstructure. 
 
Currently I'm building the boiler assembly, which sits just forward of the cargo shed on the main deck. I intentionally haven't installed the vertical support posts at the front of the boiler deck, to allow me to slide the boiler in there. Once it's in place, I'll finish that area and install the staircases (already built) just in front of the boilers.
 
I think things will go rapidly for a little while, now. Install the boilers, connect them to the engines with steam lines, plank in the entire boiler deck, and then move on to building the cabin area. I still have to decide whether to order a bunch of styrene windows and doors, or try to make my own out of strip wood. The former would be far faster and more consistently detailed, but more expensive and hard to make look just like the surrounding wood. The latter would take a long time, but be a lot cheaper and fit in better if I can make them realistically enough. I'll decide once the next deck is done.
 
I'm holding out hope of reaching my goal to complete this model by the end of the year. Luckily the approach of winter means nice long evenings for quiet model work. She's certainly starting to look something like a steamboat. In the meantime, here's a fine Ozark fiddler playing "Jefferson City", one of Bertrand's ports of call on her way upriver.
 

 
 

Just catching up with what you're doing - she really looks the part.
 
John

Great progress Cathead, she's looking great. I'd go with making your own windows and doors. It might take longer, but will be more satisfying in the end and hey, it's not a race after all. Just my AUD $0.002 (at an appalling exchange rate!)

Excellent job Cathead! You've done a lot of great custom work, I'd vote to continue that with the windows and doors.

Well, my beloved Royals have won the baseball World Series, and I'm back to work on the Bertrand. 
 

 
The main deck structures are complete, and I've mostly finished framing up the boiler deck. This was surprisingly difficult, as there's no flat frame of reference (the main deck curves in every direction). Getting the support posts vertical in both directions was quite interesting. I've been very bad about taking "process" photos during this stage, so you'll just have to imagine things. The only consistently flat frame of reference is, oddly enough, the bottom of the hull. So I made a complicated jig of solid wood strips clamped to the hull, from which I could extend vertical squares, onto which I clamped cross-ways strips, to which I could clamp the vertical posts. Fiddly, but effective. I also made strong use of the eyeball; I'd rather a line of posts LOOK straight relative to each other, even if they're slightly out of line relative to true vertical.
 
Once the posts were in place, I began adding cross-pieces. Technically the boiler deck should have a slight bit of camber to it, but I decided that would be too difficult and would be barely visible at this scale, as most of the deck will be covered by the cabins. The more significant camber of the main deck shows up nicely, and is sufficient for my taste. Thus the deck is flat athwartships, but curves gently fore and aft to follow the rise of the main deck in both directions. 
 

 
I finished planking the main deck as far I as intend to; this extent will allow the model to look complete from a port 45-degree angle fore or aft, but still leaves plenty of internal view from the starboard side. It's a little rough in places, but will have to do. I'll put a crate or something over a few plank ends that stick up more than I'd like.
 

 
View from the open starboard side. I've also finished installing the hog chain braces; these angled posts support metal rods running fore-and-aft, with turnbuckles on them, which keep the long, narrow hull from sagging/hogging. I won't install the actual rods until near the end of the project, as they'll be in the way, but needed to do the braces now as they extend through multiple decks. They're intentionally a bit longer than necessary, so I can cut them off just as I like them once I finish the superstructure. 
 
Currently I'm building the boiler assembly, which sits just forward of the cargo shed on the main deck. I intentionally haven't installed the vertical support posts at the front of the boiler deck, to allow me to slide the boiler in there. Once it's in place, I'll finish that area and install the staircases (already built) just in front of the boilers.
 
I think things will go rapidly for a little while, now. Install the boilers, connect them to the engines with steam lines, plank in the entire boiler deck, and then move on to building the cabin area. I still have to decide whether to order a bunch of styrene windows and doors, or try to make my own out of strip wood. The former would be far faster and more consistently detailed, but more expensive and hard to make look just like the surrounding wood. The latter would take a long time, but be a lot cheaper and fit in better if I can make them realistically enough. I'll decide once the next deck is done.
 
I'm holding out hope of reaching my goal to complete this model by the end of the year. Luckily the approach of winter means nice long evenings for quiet model work. She's certainly starting to look something like a steamboat. In the meantime, here's a fine Ozark fiddler playing "Jefferson City", one of Bertrand's ports of call on her way upriver.
 

 
 

Progress report: the hull is planked!
 

 
As planned, I only finished the port side, leaving the bottom and starboard side open for interior views. I extended planking onto the bottom only far enough to complete the strakes necessary for the bow.
 

 
Above is the bow close-up, with the finished underside of the guards. Finish sanding hadn't happened yet in this photo.
 

 
Here's the stern. I extended the planking a short distance onto the starboard side to complete the transition, and planned the planking to follow a sweeping curve into the stern for aesthetic reasons. I think it's more attractive this way than a square cut-off at the base of the stern.
 

 
Next was priming and painting the planked portion of the hull, the nice clean white of a new steamboat. This sets off the interior bracing nicely. I also added hatch frames, cylinder timbers, and the first line of planking along the centerline.
 

 
Closeups of the bow and stern. The cylinder timbers, in pairs port and starboard, will support the actual steam engines whose pistons drive the wheel, which is supported by the aft extension of these timbers.
 
The next stage is complicated; it's not as simple as just planking the deck. Bertrand's superstructure is supported by timbers based in the hull, and I'd like to do this justice rather than just erecting the superstructure on the deck. Also, there are a number of hog-chains (iron rods which support the hull longitudinally) which run on braces also extending down into the hull. These, too, need to be planned for before decking is completed. Thus I may be better off constructing these items before planking, which means planking around a bunch of stuff. Should be fun to work out properly.
 
In the meantime, here's Missouri's own Cathy Barton and Dave Para with a nice instrumental medley: