PS Presto Build - American Civil War Blockade Runner

[Don]

I'm building the Paddle Steamer Presto. She was built as the Fergus by Alexander Stephen and Sons in Glasgow in a very short time and was launched in Dec 1863. She was purpose built to run the Union blockade.  She reportedly made 20.5 knots on her trials. She made three runs through the blockade. The first two runs were to Wilmington. On her third run to Charleston in early February, 1864 she ran up on a wreck in front of Confederate fortifications on Sullivan's Island on the north side of the harbor entrance. When the sun came up the next morning she was still stranded and came under fire from Union batteries on the South side of the harbor entrance and by Union monitors. She was a total loss but most of her cargo was recovered by the Confederates.
     I live only a couple of miles from where the Presto was destroyed so I was thrilled when I found these plans on EBay (see picture). I don't have much modeling experience. This is my second attempt to build from scratch. The first attempt was a failure.  After getting the plans, I ordered a set of paddlewheels made by Graupner for their Glasgow Tug kit.  The size of the paddlewheels set the scale at roughly 1:40th.  This required me to upscale the plans by a factor of 2.3 resulting in a length of 64 inches. 

[marinemole]

A beautiful ship. Look forward to seeing the model.

Andy

[Eddy Matthews]

Don has posted a number of photos in his gallery - You can find them at:

http://www.paddleducks.co.uk/smf/index.php?action=gallery;su=user;cat=123;u=2067

Regards
Eddy

[marinemole]

Don has posted a number of photos in his gallery - You can find them at:

http://www.paddleducks.co.uk/smf/index.php?action=gallery;su=user;cat=123;u=2067

Regards
Eddy

Thanks Eddy. Good pictures.

Beautiful job Don. Have you posted video anywhere? Had a look on YouTube but nothing obvious.


Regards

Andy

[Don]

Andy,
I have not made any videos of the model but would like to.  My problem is I don't own a video camera.  I'll have to borrow one some time.

Don

[Don]

April, 2010:  In the picture you can see that I have all 26 bulkheads up on the keel and have started the planking.  I used bass wood.  Here's where my inexperience caused some problems for me.  After raising all the sections the keel hogged a bit forward.  I was able to straighten it out, but it is still a bit hogged.  It is not very noticeable, but since I know its there I see it everytime I look at the model.  Also, I did not line all of the sections up exactly which resulted in some imperfections in the hull and deck.  I guess I can do better with my next build.  Also, I did not try to put any camber in the deck because I though it would complicate things too much.  Maybe I'll try that next time as well.

[Eddy Matthews]

You should be proud of your work on the Presto Don. It's a superb model!

Every time you build a model they get just that little bit better than the last one - However I doubt you'll ever build a perfect model that your happy with in every respect! I've been building models for 40 years and there is always something that I could have done better, or that I know I got wrong!

As the builder, all the little imperfections are obvious to you, but rest assured, the majority of people that look at it will never spot them!

Regards
Eddy

[Don]

Eddy,
Thanks for the kind words and encouragement.  I'm sure you're right.  I am doing a pretty good job of not letting the imperfections ruin the fun.  I have a little rule I follow.  I don't go backwards!  If I make a little mistake I resist going back to make it exactly right.  That way I keep moving forward and learning.  I really am enjoying this, and it has taught me something I'm applying to other parts of my life.  The lesson is this - You can accomplish great things if you just keep working at it. 

[Don]

Now this picture is one month later in May 2010.  I am pretty much finished with "planking" the hull.  I was trying to build the model the same way the ship was built so I used large "plates" of bass wood to simulate the iron plating used to build the real Presto.  The plans do not show the complete planking plan, but they do show that the plates were overlapping and that there were 4 to 5 plates used to cover from the keel to the bottom of the bulwarks.  The bulwarks on the real ship were made of wood.  I do regret how I used two rows of narrow strips to cover gaps in the planking.  These resulted in two rather prominent "bulges" that run lengthwise above and below the waterline.  These really should not be there.  That's another lesson learned and something to do better next time.  At this point I was getting really excited because I could see the beautiful lines of the ship and her long, narrow form taking shape. 

[Taifoon78]

...She was built as the Fergus by Alexander Stephens and Sons in Glasgow in a very short time and was launched in Dec 1863. ...  She reportedly made 20.5 knots on her trials. ...

unbelievable! In 1863? I'm shoked. She was a fasted ship of that time.

[Don]

Yes, I was surprised too.  Just as shocking is the fact that the ship was built in just six weeks! 

I found this information on the internet at a very informative book that was on-line about the builders titled "A Shipbuilding History, 1750-1932 (Alexander Stephen and Sons).  Here is the quote from Chapter two:

 In the same year, 1863, in answer to the demand for blockade runners for the American Civil War, the paddle steamers Fergus (the Fergus was later renamed the Presto) and Dare were built in the record time of six weeks, the former doing 20.5 knots on trial.

Here's the link: 
http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/wiki/A_Shipbuilding_History._1750-1932_(Alexander_Stephen_and_Sons):_Chapter_2

[Don]

Another month later and its now June 2010.  The picture below shows the model waiting to be loaded back in the car after I took her to our local swimming pool to see how well she floated.  I nearly ruined the model on this day because I had not sufficiently waterproofed the hull (long story) and water seeped into the wood.  The planks along the bottom of the keel near the rudder separated and the rudder post curved significantly to one side.  Luckily I was able to straighten everything out.  I later waterproofed the hull by applying a product called Glovit made by West Marine.  It is an epoxy based product used to waterproof real boats.  I applied two coats inside and out.  It was easy to apply and worked very well, but it was expensive ($60 US).

[Don]

July, 2010:  Here you can see I have painted the hull in light blue.  My reading told me blockade runners were painted in light grey and light blue because these colors were found to make the ships nearly invisible at night.  This might be a bit too blue, but I think it looks good.  I then started working on a simple (to match my skills) drive system.  I purchased the Dumas 12v motor that is gear reduced to 147 rpm.  Dumas says this motor is matched to their Mount Washington paddle steamer so I figured it must be close to my needs.  I purchased the sprockets and plastic chain from Motionco.  I was really pleased with how easy it was to work with their chain and sprockets.  Here's their website: http://www.motionco.co.uk/. 

I wasn't sure how fast the paddle wheels needed to turn.  On the internet I found a reference that stated the Waverly does 18 knots at 56 RPM so I decided to shoot for that and give it a try.  I bought two 6 volt batteries and wired them in series.  Luckily, I found I was able to fit the batteries in the two openings in the deck that would later be covered by the tops of the boiler casings. 

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's......Don....you will find a number of threads on model paddle shaft speed in the forum ....some suggest actual multiplied by the square root of the scale 

But........many examples come in using a speed controller & running from approx 150 RPM down

Your own trails will confirm a desired result which involves....

Paddle diameter, number of paddles, paddle width + desired vessel speed..so you could simply wire your batteries in series to commence your trials....... ....Derek

[Don]

Thanks for the note and guidance Derek.  I should have joined Paddle Ducks much earlier and sought this advice and knowledge.  It would have saved me a lot of time. 

Don