Just retired from the Army and am embarking upon wooden ship modeling which puts me at a distinct disadvantage in nautical talk. This, too, shall come around. This is also a first with a non-sail driven vessel. It will be the Chaperone, a stern paddlewheel packet boat. Later, my goal is to attempt a Union Army Mississippi River Squadron Ironclad of the Mound City Class. Should be interesting in that it is a centerline paddlewheeler contained within an armored casement. Ultimately, I hope to motorize it to send it paddling around the lake (without sinking). There are no kits of this type ship that I have found. I have some historical books, a 10 inch resin model, a ruler, a presumed scale (1:96) and a calculator. Rather ambitious but now being retired, I have the time.