Okesa 1918 by OkesaBuilder - FINISHED - Scale 1:96 - Ferris Type WWI Wooden Steamer built in Portland Maine

[OkesaBuilder]

The anchor windlass presented challenges.  I had a picture of the bow of Okesa, showing much of the windlass in partial profile.  I found other contemporary pictures of similar period windlasses in the 1918 volume of the International Marine Engineering journal and from pictures from ships of the period.  However, the arrangement of the windlass components (and their relationship to each other) in those pictures did not match the actual windlass on the Okesa.  So I drafted new plans based on the Okesa windlass - using parts that I could discern from the other contemporary pictures. From my research I knew that the steam components of winches and windlasses were very similar.  So I used many winch parts in the windlass.

 

The contemporary Emergency Fleet Corporation plans from 1918 explicitly described the components of the davits, their layout and their rigging.  I modeled the davits from brass components, wooden blocks and scale manila (linen) rigging.

 

The Ferris steamships carried a  wireless (radio) room (deckhouse).   An antenna was rigged between the two masts that facilitated wireless communication (and direction-finding).  I built the antenna with beading wire (with the plastic burned off), brass spreaders, wooden blocks and scale manila (linen) rigging.  

[FlyingFish]

Very nicely done!

[OkesaBuilder]

Another modeling hero of mine was the late Dana McCalip; a prior NRG Director.  In honor of Dana I used his method for making the ships boats; One that he taught me many years ago.   Two matching blocks of applewood were temporarily glued together and carved to the appropriate lines.  The halves were separated and the stem, keel and stern post were inserted.   The challenge for the ship's boats was modeling the tarpaulin coverings (see picture from the ship Okesa).  I tried paper and plastic screen (see left side of picture 5) - neither gave the look I wanted.  Finally I tried finely woven cotton batiste cloth.   I wrapped the cloth around a saran covered"dummy" model.  I "painted" the cloth with epoxy.  Once the epoxy cured I gently removed the model tarpaulin from the "dummy," trimmed it, painted it maritime gray and then attached it to the ships boat. Looked great (See right side of picture 5). 

 

The contemporary Emergency Fleet Corporation plans from 1918 explicitly described how the ships boats were installed - including the components of the skids.  I modeled the skids as per those plans.

 

 

The captain's launch was only temporarily installed.  Someday, I hope to build an scale replica of the launch; showing its internal construction, fittings and gear.

 

The steamship's anchors were constructed from wood and brass.  I made four anchors and picked the best two to go the model.

[OkesaBuilder]

I was onto the final stages.  

 

The rudder was modeled next.  There was a dedicated plan of the rudder in  contemporary Emergency Fleet Corporation plans from 1918.  The rudder was built up as per those plans.

 

The propellor was modeled using a contemporary picture of the Ferris-type wooden steamship as well as other photos. The propellor was built-up from an applewood blank, shaped with the Foredom and hand-finished.  Note that I made three propellors - to practice my carving technique.

 

As mentioned above I knew that I wanted to show the operations of cargo loading.  For that I needed crates. I found online some 1917-1918 articles on crate building.  I built the crates using that information.

 

Finally the model was ready to be mounted on its cherry baseboard.  To make the model completely secure I used four applewood pedestals - two for the keel approximately in-line with the masts and one each 2 inches port and starboard of the keel amidships.   Because of the low- and high-humidity in the winter and summer, respectively, where I live, I waited until the summer to mount the model (when the model, baseboard and case were most expanded).  While the model is secure, there is also sufficient space for expansion and contraction of the model, baseboard and case with the weather.  

 

I purchased a cherry case kit from Bluejacket Shipcrafters.  The case was extensively modified using cherry lumber I had on hand.  Each off the frame parts were separately painted with multiple coats of black paint (and wet-sanded between coats with 400-600 emery paper).  The final coat was clear satin lacquer and then case was assembled.  Museum quality/low glare acrylic was used for the panes.

 

Fin'

 

 

 

 

 

 

[OkesaBuilder]

Postscript:

 

Back to the engine and boilers.  These were made in 2001 and then stored in a safe place until needed.

 

There are extensive!!! plans of the 1898 triple-expansion steam engine that was installed on the ferry Berkeley at the California Marine Museum (San Diego branch).  The Ferris-type wooden steamship engines were nearly identical.  I also had (rough) plans of the engine from the Emergency Fleet Corporation documents.  I also took many pictures of the Berkeley engine (and boilers).

 

The engine was modeled from wood, plastic, and brass.  Some of the parts were carved from boxwood and then cast in plastic.  Nearly all the important parts were modeled; including the drive shaft, the pistons, the eccentrics, and the reversing gear.   I built two engines:  The poor one is inside the model and the better one is mounted on the baseboard.   

 

The boilers were built of plastic using plans from the 1918 journal of International Marine Engineering.  I made paper models first, then plastoc mock-ups and then finally made three boilers.  The "worst" two are inside the model and the best one is mounted on the baseboard.

 

Now truly Fin'

[Keith Black]

 Beautiful first class work throughout, thank you for sharing. 

[Jim Lad]

Just been looking through your images.  That is a very fine model of an interesting wooden ship type.

 

John

[KeithAug]

Great detail on the boiler but will it be visible?

[OkesaBuilder]

Thank you all for yourwonderful comments.   A copy of the boiler and engine are mounted on the baseboard.

[Mirabell61]

Very impressing build Okesa

 

Nils

[FriedClams]

Just went through your log and what an amazing build.  Superb work, congrats on finishing her.

 

Gary

[Steve Mayo]

Congratulations  Dr. 

   You have done an absolutely amazing job!  I am in the process of mostly scratch building of fiberglass, two EFC "Laker" class steel steam freighters.  I fully understand the timing on your build.  My two ships are of fiberglass so quite a different style.  I made a mold in 1986 that has turned out three hulls.  Years ago, I fashioned a fine funnel from a copper tube with flange, steam line and whistle that looks very much like yours.  I am almost ready for the rigging so I really appreciate your current workshop. 

    I have been a professional marine artist for 50 years and a professional master also. You might appreciate seeing some of my paintings of steam freighters online.

    Thank you for sharing your extremely detailed workmanship!

Cheers, --Steve Mayo