Hello from Alaska

[MatthewDS]

I joined paddleducks hoping to find out more information about Western River Sternwheelers.  I am in the process of collecting information about the SS Nenana, which is a stern wheel packet steamer that operated on the Yukon river between 1934 and 1954. 

I have set up a page about my project here:

http://mrbobs-wonders.net/2011/05/24/riverboard-nenana-an-alaskan-sternwheeler/

I have contacted the original designer, and purchased the drawings that remain in their collection, as well as collected another drawing from another stern wheel enthusiast.  My primary objective is to connect with others researching stern wheelers of this type, and hopefully get more information about this ship specifically.

Cheers,
-Matthew

[Barry]

Alan Bates's book on the Western rivers steamboats gives some lines for a typical boat. I dare say they're not as fine as the Alaskain boats but they could be something to work from. Marine Modeller magazine did a set of plans for the Mount Royal who's line might be closer. Good luck with your project and welcome to Paddleducks.

[MatthewDS]

Thanks for those lines, that book is on my list to purchase.

Unfortunately, those lines are quite different from the Nenana.



I'm having some trouble modeling the bow, as it is quite unconventional. 
I believe that this was due to her very shallow draft. 
If you look at other similar ships from the same region and time period,
you see a more typical bow profile, like that shown in Western River Steamboats.

For example: SS Klondike (found on the internet, removed by request if needed)


Cheers,
-Matthew

(On second thought, I wonder if you simply scaled the lines Barry uploaded by 50% vertically?)

[Barry]

A lot of flair in that bow. Dad and I built a tug some years ago from an incomplete set of drawings. What we did was make a card mock up using the frames, deck and side profile on the drawings and then put in card frames until it looked right. Not 100% accurate but as accurate as it could be.
Bates' book has another set of lines, with a re shaping of the deck and a sprinkling of the other lines could be make to go close.
The Mount Royal lines are nothing like it either.