introduction, Dave R.

[Dave R.]

I'm Dave Renfro of Sanford, Florida USA.
I was researching information when I found Paddleducks.
I've been working on a 1/48 scale static model of the Oklawaha River
paddle steamer "Hiawatha" for my on30 railroad module.

I've always thought an operating model would be cool. Maybe with some
help, it's possible.
Thanks,
Dave

[Dave R.]

blink, blink... maybe, y'all ain't familiar with the Oklawaha (Ocklawaha) Steamers.
After the American Civil War and almost to the end of Gilded Age more boats plied the
St Johns River in Florida than worked the Mississippi. Scores of sidewheelers and
sternwheelers travailed between Jacksonville and Sanford. Most unique of these boats
were the recessed sternwheel, flat bottomed paddlers that carried goods, tourist and
speculators along the Oklawaha River, a branch of the St Johns.
I've attached a couple of old pic's  from the Photographic Collection of the
Florida Memories Project, State of Florida Archives. The first is the Hiawatha (and Marion?)
at Silver Springs. The second is the stern of the Okahumkee, demonstrating the recessed
wheel... protected against low tree branches.

Thanks for looking,
Dave

[Spankbucket]

Hi Dave

Nice to meet you on here. Nice pictures. And I like your boating pool...is that a domestic paddling pool?....I'm interested because I was thinking of putting something like it in my garden.

Your picture shows a paddle wheel but I take it it isn't functional?

I'm sure you'll get plenty of help and advice from other members.

Cheers........Bernie

[Dave R.]

Bernie, the picture is from summer last. The kiddy pool, 8 ft X 3 ft,
was for the grandchildren... long gone now.
I'd think about buying another, perfect for this hobby maybe; until the
children find it.
Not functional. I think it might be easier to make a working model on a larger
scale, 1/32 or 1/24, it was a small boat, 89 ft long X 23.5 ft wide.

Dave