lb0190 Posted February 16, 2013 #1 Posted February 16, 2013 The George W. Washburn tugboat was launched in 1890 by the Cornell Steamboat Company to move barges and cargo like stones, sand, and bricks up and down the Hudson River between Albany and New York City. She was, during her early years, considered the fastest tug on the Hudson. Since she took on paying passengers, her appearance was kept up. It was said that a Cornell Steamboat could be notices from great distances by the yellow and black color of the smoke stacks. The George W Washburn and Cornell Steamboat Company are no longer around today. This is my first effort at building a model ship. Since I've retired, I felt in need of a hobby and looked back at my younger (much younger) years when I used to build plastic models and a RC aircraft. I remember I always enjoyed building more than flying and thought wood ship models would be challenging and longer project time. I picked the tug thinking it would be a good first build for someone new to shipbuilding and hoped it provided a number of lessons learned. At the time, not being aware of MSW and the tremendous amount of shared knowledge, I looked at the many ships available and simply picked one that appealed to me and looked reasonable for a newbie to start with. So here we go... This kit features laser-cut plank-on-frame construction. The size is: Length: 30" inches Beam: 5 1/2" inches and can be built as a static or RC model. I'll build it as RC capable but with the intent of simply displaying it. Quote Regards, Larry ---------------------------------------------------- Current Build US Brig Niagara Completed Builds George W Washburn - 1890 Tugboat Future Builds 18th Century Longboat by MS HM Cutter Cheerful Wappen Von Hamburg by Corel If your not making mistakes, your not challenging yourself – my life has been full of challenges
lb0190 Posted February 17, 2013 Author #2 Posted February 17, 2013 Here are more photographs. I've struggled getting them to post in order, so please excuse the random sequence. Quote Regards, Larry ---------------------------------------------------- Current Build US Brig Niagara Completed Builds George W Washburn - 1890 Tugboat Future Builds 18th Century Longboat by MS HM Cutter Cheerful Wappen Von Hamburg by Corel If your not making mistakes, your not challenging yourself – my life has been full of challenges
lb0190 Posted February 17, 2013 Author #3 Posted February 17, 2013 (edited) and more photos... Edited February 17, 2013 by lb0190 Quote Regards, Larry ---------------------------------------------------- Current Build US Brig Niagara Completed Builds George W Washburn - 1890 Tugboat Future Builds 18th Century Longboat by MS HM Cutter Cheerful Wappen Von Hamburg by Corel If your not making mistakes, your not challenging yourself – my life has been full of challenges
lb0190 Posted February 17, 2013 Author #4 Posted February 17, 2013 photos... Quote Regards, Larry ---------------------------------------------------- Current Build US Brig Niagara Completed Builds George W Washburn - 1890 Tugboat Future Builds 18th Century Longboat by MS HM Cutter Cheerful Wappen Von Hamburg by Corel If your not making mistakes, your not challenging yourself – my life has been full of challenges
lb0190 Posted February 17, 2013 Author #5 Posted February 17, 2013 Photos... yvesvidal and Ian B 2 Quote Regards, Larry ---------------------------------------------------- Current Build US Brig Niagara Completed Builds George W Washburn - 1890 Tugboat Future Builds 18th Century Longboat by MS HM Cutter Cheerful Wappen Von Hamburg by Corel If your not making mistakes, your not challenging yourself – my life has been full of challenges
lb0190 Posted February 17, 2013 Author #6 Posted February 17, 2013 Photos... yvesvidal 1 Quote Regards, Larry ---------------------------------------------------- Current Build US Brig Niagara Completed Builds George W Washburn - 1890 Tugboat Future Builds 18th Century Longboat by MS HM Cutter Cheerful Wappen Von Hamburg by Corel If your not making mistakes, your not challenging yourself – my life has been full of challenges
Jim Lad Posted February 17, 2013 #7 Posted February 17, 2013 It's nice to see you and your tug back here, Larry! John Quote
lb0190 Posted February 17, 2013 Author #8 Posted February 17, 2013 Photos... yvesvidal 1 Quote Regards, Larry ---------------------------------------------------- Current Build US Brig Niagara Completed Builds George W Washburn - 1890 Tugboat Future Builds 18th Century Longboat by MS HM Cutter Cheerful Wappen Von Hamburg by Corel If your not making mistakes, your not challenging yourself – my life has been full of challenges
lb0190 Posted February 17, 2013 Author #9 Posted February 17, 2013 Photos... yvesvidal 1 Quote Regards, Larry ---------------------------------------------------- Current Build US Brig Niagara Completed Builds George W Washburn - 1890 Tugboat Future Builds 18th Century Longboat by MS HM Cutter Cheerful Wappen Von Hamburg by Corel If your not making mistakes, your not challenging yourself – my life has been full of challenges
lb0190 Posted February 17, 2013 Author #10 Posted February 17, 2013 Photos... yvesvidal 1 Quote Regards, Larry ---------------------------------------------------- Current Build US Brig Niagara Completed Builds George W Washburn - 1890 Tugboat Future Builds 18th Century Longboat by MS HM Cutter Cheerful Wappen Von Hamburg by Corel If your not making mistakes, your not challenging yourself – my life has been full of challenges
lb0190 Posted February 17, 2013 Author #11 Posted February 17, 2013 (edited) Photos... Edited February 17, 2013 by lb0190 yvesvidal and hexnut 2 Quote Regards, Larry ---------------------------------------------------- Current Build US Brig Niagara Completed Builds George W Washburn - 1890 Tugboat Future Builds 18th Century Longboat by MS HM Cutter Cheerful Wappen Von Hamburg by Corel If your not making mistakes, your not challenging yourself – my life has been full of challenges
lb0190 Posted February 17, 2013 Author #12 Posted February 17, 2013 Photos... yvesvidal, Ian B, Landlubber Mike and 1 other 4 Quote Regards, Larry ---------------------------------------------------- Current Build US Brig Niagara Completed Builds George W Washburn - 1890 Tugboat Future Builds 18th Century Longboat by MS HM Cutter Cheerful Wappen Von Hamburg by Corel If your not making mistakes, your not challenging yourself – my life has been full of challenges
lb0190 Posted February 17, 2013 Author #13 Posted February 17, 2013 Photos... yvesvidal, hexnut, GrandpaPhil and 1 other 4 Quote Regards, Larry ---------------------------------------------------- Current Build US Brig Niagara Completed Builds George W Washburn - 1890 Tugboat Future Builds 18th Century Longboat by MS HM Cutter Cheerful Wappen Von Hamburg by Corel If your not making mistakes, your not challenging yourself – my life has been full of challenges
lb0190 Posted February 17, 2013 Author #14 Posted February 17, 2013 It's nice to see you and your tug back here, Larry! John Thanks John. I'll work on posting the Niagara tomorrow. Quote Regards, Larry ---------------------------------------------------- Current Build US Brig Niagara Completed Builds George W Washburn - 1890 Tugboat Future Builds 18th Century Longboat by MS HM Cutter Cheerful Wappen Von Hamburg by Corel If your not making mistakes, your not challenging yourself – my life has been full of challenges
augie Posted February 17, 2013 #15 Posted February 17, 2013 (edited) First rate job, Larry. She must have been massive in real life. Edited February 17, 2013 by Augie Quote Augie Current Build: US Frigate Confederacy - MS 1:64 Previous Builds : US Brig Syren (MS) - 2013 (see Completed Ship Gallery) Greek Tug Ulises (OcCre) - 2009 (see Completed Ship Gallery) Victory Cross Section (Corel) - 1988 Essex (MS) 1/8"- 1976 Cutty Sark (Revell 1:96) - 1956
patrickmil Posted February 17, 2013 #16 Posted February 17, 2013 I'm happy to see the Washburn Tug and her builder back online. Quote Thanks, Patrick YouTube Channel for fun: Patrick's Scale Studio Finished: Model Shipways US Brig Niagara I Love Kit USS Curtis Wilbur DDG-54 Current: Trumpeter USS Yorktown CV-5
lb0190 Posted February 17, 2013 Author #17 Posted February 17, 2013 Good morning Augie and Patrick, Yes, she was big compared to many of the tugs today. Thanks for looking in on my build log. It's great to have MSW back up and running again. augie 1 Quote Regards, Larry ---------------------------------------------------- Current Build US Brig Niagara Completed Builds George W Washburn - 1890 Tugboat Future Builds 18th Century Longboat by MS HM Cutter Cheerful Wappen Von Hamburg by Corel If your not making mistakes, your not challenging yourself – my life has been full of challenges
MarkBseau Posted August 19, 2014 #18 Posted August 19, 2014 Larry, I happened upon your build log of the Washburn - it's beautiful. I have this on the shelf and want to build it, and I have a couple questions for you: I have no idea what it's called, but that 'beard' of rope that you put on the bow - it just looks so authentic - there must be a term for that, do you know what it's called, and do you have any links or articles about it? Saw the photos of you building it, looks like you learned a lot about its construction. Also - did you rig this boat up for R/C, or have any experience with that? I'm wondering how you get after those components after it's built - is it designed so that the cabin area is removable? Thanks, Mark Quote
lb0190 Posted August 20, 2014 Author #19 Posted August 20, 2014 Hi Mark, Thanks for looking in and for the compliments. I'll try to answer your questions in the order you asked. The beard (I call it by that name also) I believe it's also called a fender. I do not think the Washburn had one in real life but I like how it looks. I found a link where someone was building beards for restored tugs and he posted a number of photos showing how he made them. I simply scaled the process down to fit my model. I'll look for the link and post it as soon as I locate it. I constructed the build for RC but did not have have any intention on anything other than static display. I thought, maybe one day I would give it away or sale it to someone interested in RC boating so it's ready to add the RC hardware. The upper deck lifts off (snug fit) and has a water barrier to help prevent flooding the hull. The hull interior has plenty of room for the components and ballast. I used to fly RC but never took up boating RC. Quote Regards, Larry ---------------------------------------------------- Current Build US Brig Niagara Completed Builds George W Washburn - 1890 Tugboat Future Builds 18th Century Longboat by MS HM Cutter Cheerful Wappen Von Hamburg by Corel If your not making mistakes, your not challenging yourself – my life has been full of challenges
MarkBseau Posted August 20, 2014 #20 Posted August 20, 2014 Thanks Larry, I'd hoped that the cabin or deck lifted off, but I hadn't seen any discussion about that in the instructions. Good to hear. I'd be very interested in that rope fender link if you can find it! Thanks again, Mark Quote
lb0190 Posted August 20, 2014 Author #21 Posted August 20, 2014 (edited) Mark, I found the link: http://www.frayedknotarts.com/grudinskas.html. It's a very nice tutorial called: Making a bow fender for a tugboat by Cap't Ben Grudinskas I hope this helps. Edit: I forgot to mention I used tea to slightly dye the fenders. Edited August 21, 2014 by lb0190 Quote Regards, Larry ---------------------------------------------------- Current Build US Brig Niagara Completed Builds George W Washburn - 1890 Tugboat Future Builds 18th Century Longboat by MS HM Cutter Cheerful Wappen Von Hamburg by Corel If your not making mistakes, your not challenging yourself – my life has been full of challenges
MarkBseau Posted October 8, 2014 #23 Posted October 8, 2014 Hi Larry, I'm trying to plank this hull and having a problem - can you see my thread in the "Planking..." forum called "Having trouble with Washburn tug hull"? I'm hoping you can advise me. Translation for that is: "Please help! How do I do this?? How did YOU do this?" Thanks, Mark Quote
Mirabell61 Posted October 8, 2014 #24 Posted October 8, 2014 Larry, congrats to your well done good looking first build, a very impressive looking two-funnel tugboat Nils Quote Current builds -Lightship Elbe 1 Completed - Steamship Ergenstrasse ex Laker Corsicana 1918- scale 1:87 scratchbuild - "Zeesboot" heritage wooden fishing small craft around 1870, POB clinker scratch build scale 1:24 - Pilot Schooner # 5 ELBE ex Wanderbird, scale 1:50 scratchbuild - Mississippi Sterwheelsteamer built as christmapresent for grandson modified kit build - Chebec "Eagle of Algier" 1753--scale 1:48-POB-(scratchbuild) "SS Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse" four stacker passenger liner of 1897, blue ribbond awarded, 1:144 (scratchbuild) "HMS Pegasus" , 16 gun sloop, Swan-Class 1776-1777 scale 1:64 from Amati plan -"Pamir" 4-mast barque, P-liner, 1:96 (scratchbuild) -"Gorch Fock 2" German Navy cadet training 3-mast barque, 1:95 (scratchbuild) "Heinrich Kayser" heritage Merchant Steamship, 1:96 (scratchbuild) original was my grandfathers ship -"Bohuslän" , heritage ,live Swedish museum passenger steamer (Billings kit), 1:50 "Lorbas", river tug, steam driven for RC, fictive design (scratchbuild), scale appr. 1:32 under restoration / restoration finished "Hjejlen" steam paddlewheeler, 1861, Billings Boats rare old kit, scale 1:50
lb0190 Posted October 9, 2014 Author #25 Posted October 9, 2014 Hi Larry, I'm trying to plank this hull and having a problem - can you see my thread in the "Planking..." forum called "Having trouble with Washburn tug hull"? I'm hoping you can advise me. Translation for that is: "Please help! How do I do this?? How did YOU do this?" Thanks, Mark Good moring Mark. I just seen your post. I'll take a look at your thread and get back with you before the day is out. We'll figure out how to resolve your concerns. Quote Regards, Larry ---------------------------------------------------- Current Build US Brig Niagara Completed Builds George W Washburn - 1890 Tugboat Future Builds 18th Century Longboat by MS HM Cutter Cheerful Wappen Von Hamburg by Corel If your not making mistakes, your not challenging yourself – my life has been full of challenges
lb0190 Posted October 9, 2014 Author #26 Posted October 9, 2014 Hi Nils, Thanks for looking in and for the compliments. It was a fun and challenging build. I thought it was perfect kit for a first build, very challenging but forgiving..... Quote Regards, Larry ---------------------------------------------------- Current Build US Brig Niagara Completed Builds George W Washburn - 1890 Tugboat Future Builds 18th Century Longboat by MS HM Cutter Cheerful Wappen Von Hamburg by Corel If your not making mistakes, your not challenging yourself – my life has been full of challenges
Don Quixote Posted October 9, 2014 #27 Posted October 9, 2014 Very nice. I have a couple mini mamoli's, solid hulls, one with planking (shoulda started with, but I've been on the Niagara and lived in Michigan the 1st 42 years of my life) Both solid hulls are supposed to need no sanding. I want the rigging experience before I go back and tackle this some more. Time was I thought I'd learn from my older brothers mistakes, but he never built a wooden ship. Nor did he marry my X wife. Quote Norwegian Sailing Pram 1:12 Scale. 2nd boat in the learning series. In Dry Dock: Muscongus Bay Lobster Smack. 1:24 scale. Model Shipways, 3rd in the learning series. Not sure what'll be next, probably the Santa Maria by Artesania Latina 1:65 scale. Unless someone has a better suggestion for a beginner. Pride of Baltimore. Model Shipways. Clipper used in the war of 1812. Black Falcon. Mantua Model. 18 century corsair brig. CSS. Alabama. E. Manolie? Can't read the font. Build in Liverpool in 1862 for use in the American Civil War by the Confederates. Steam and sail, sloop of war. Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most. A baseball cap my Dad wore.
lb0190 Posted October 9, 2014 Author #28 Posted October 9, 2014 Brian, thank you for looking in and for the compliment. IMO, getting one under your belt (completed first build) has many benefits from learning new skills and confidence building. Learning/improving some basic skills from an easier build pays off many times when you move on to a much harder kit. Best of luck with your Niagara. Quote Regards, Larry ---------------------------------------------------- Current Build US Brig Niagara Completed Builds George W Washburn - 1890 Tugboat Future Builds 18th Century Longboat by MS HM Cutter Cheerful Wappen Von Hamburg by Corel If your not making mistakes, your not challenging yourself – my life has been full of challenges
edmay Posted October 10, 2014 #29 Posted October 10, 2014 Hello Larry .Nice job on the tug,and yes,when I was a lad (long long ago )often hanging around the docks of Liverpool (UK)most of the tugs had rope fenders to push and shove larger boats or barges around,some I recall used old tires,those" were the days my friend "Hope you are well.Edwin Quote
lb0190 Posted October 10, 2014 Author #30 Posted October 10, 2014 (edited) Hi Edwin, thanks. I have had numerous visitors at home, ask about the rope fenders, many seemed shocked to hear there were tugboats before tires were available to use as fenders. IMO some of the rope fenders were woven works of art. I'm doing ok, thanks for inquiring. The past year has been a bit rough for my health and other family members, but it's improving everyday. Take care my friend! Edited October 10, 2014 by lb0190 Quote Regards, Larry ---------------------------------------------------- Current Build US Brig Niagara Completed Builds George W Washburn - 1890 Tugboat Future Builds 18th Century Longboat by MS HM Cutter Cheerful Wappen Von Hamburg by Corel If your not making mistakes, your not challenging yourself – my life has been full of challenges
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