Need some opinions

[rodackers1]

I am building a static model of the steam ship Armenia, which sailed
on the Hudson River in the late 1800s. The drawings that I have of
the ship shows an upper deck which was obviously used by passengers,
but the drawings do not tell me how it was finished. You can see a
recent photo of my boat in the photo section under the name Armenia.
My question is, how should I finish this upper deck, planking, or
paint, and if paint, what color? Any and all help appreciated.

[B Worden]

I doubt it was different from the deck treatment used on 20th century boats with wooden upper decks. Over the planking (tongue and groove, generally, I think) canvas was laid in white lead, tacked down at the edges and at seams with lots of little copper tacks. The canvas was then primed and painted, in my experience, grey. Not actually very different from the method used for flat porch decks at tone time....

Bill Worden

[Paulrjordan]

Hi Rod:

I have a print of a painting of "Armenia" by John Bard in 1848 and
the decking appears to be conventional planking. I
emphasize "appears" and I would not use this with authority on your
model without further verification. The Bard brothers painted their
Hudson River steamers very accurately but generally in profile only
and the deck is not very visible.

For further help on your project, I suggest you contact the Hudson
River Maritime Museum, One Rondout Landing, Kingston, NY 12401
(914) 338 0071. I visited them last year and they have some very
good Hudson River paddler models and a couple of historians who might
be able to answer your question. Do please keep us posted.

Congratulations, your "Armenia" is coming along really well and I
very much look forward to seeing her progress. She was a truly fine
sidewheeler with her towering walking beam and huge smoke stack and
will make a wonderful model.

Best regards

PJ
Victoria, BC Canada