Alligator model and Dragonboat

[Bryant Owen]

Found an old picture of a model of an Alligator on display at the Port
Dover Marine Museum. It's obviously an RC model and made a few years
ago. Can't recall much more about it. I thought the members here might
enjoy seeing it. Took the time to put up a text file reproduction of
the inscription on the plaque.

BTW - Port Dover bills itself as the world's largest freshwater
fishing port. It's on the north shore of Lake Erie. Port Dover is at
the mouth of the Lynn River, just downstream from the town of Simcoe,
home of West & Peachey, builders of Alligators. I presume a number of
Alligators steamed down to Port Dover to be shipped to other places.

BONUS - found a picture of another "model" paddlewheeler in the local
paper. This "model" was made for a play "The Palace of the Cinnabar
Phoenix". Sounds like a very strange play. I put a reduced picture of
the boat I found on the website ( www.patria.org ) up on the files
under the name "Dragonboat". Enjoy.

Bryant Owen

[Paulrjordan]

This is a truly interesting model, Bryant, although a little
whimsical. I read the inscription you kindly reproduced, although I
was searching for the name of the model builder and the date it might
have been made. Alas it doesnt seem to credit anyone.

I have just received a video from the Norfolk Historical Society
depicting a brief history of the West & Peachey 'Gators and the
restoration of the last operating survivor. It's only 19 minutes
long, but it does give an interesting insight into these paddlers and
some good operating footage.
I also obtained a plan of "No.60" which I posted a few weeks ago.
There are some interesting images which have just appeared on the
following website.

http://www.norfolklore.com/exhibit/alligal.htm

I notice a lot more hits now when you do a Google search on "West &
Peachey alligator" so it seems that interest in them is on the rise.

>
> BONUS - found a picture of another "model" paddlewheeler in the
> local paper. This "model" was made for a play "The Palace of the
>Cinnabar Phoenix". Sounds like a very strange play. I put a reduced
>picture of the boat I found on the website ( www.patria.org ) up on
>the files under the name "Dragonboat". Enjoy.


wooh this is wild..and I think may provide a clue to how the Vikings
REALLY managed to cross the Atlantic!! However if you like models you
can sit in, take a look at this pic!
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Paddleducks/files/Pertmodel.gif

It's one of a number of huge RMAS Paddlewheeler Tug models made by
Bill Wilkinson of the Southport Model Yacht Club in England. Enjoy
too..and thanks for posting the Viking paddler picture, Bryant!

Keep us updated with any more 'Gator or paddler info from Ontario,
Canada!

PJ