Modelling HENDRICK HUDSON -Newburgh's Own...Part One

Steamboat modelmaking has been one of my professional niches for well over forty years. Many of these gems have graced the homes of collectors, galleries, museums, and corporate offices throughout America and abroad. But what make this particular model so special is that the namesake celebrate the Hudson River where HENDRICK HUDSON operated -and the fact that Henry Hudson sailed the Dutch ship HALF MOON up this scenic river in 1609.

I had the honor of meeting a Newburgh native who amassed a beautiful collection of steamboats which became quite prolific as he carefully selected projects representing the gradual development of steamboat construction from the early 1830s to the 1970s -with all models accurately researched and built to 3/32 scale.

To this end HENDRICK HUDSON became the 100th steamboat model built during my forty year tenure.

        The plans shown here were enlarged from a previous build which was at a smaller scale. That particular project was for the former heir of the Hudson River Day Line -basing the model on the vessel's 1940 configuration. This build will feature the steamer as she appeared on the river in 1909.

          The beautiful and spacious HENDRICK HUDSON departs the Capitol City of Albany, New York enroute to all ports of call before ending her eight hour run at New York City c.1912.


After reviewing all the data, with the support of the Collector's references, I started putting into place the schematics for a more updated and accurate build...beginning with the hull and decks. The hull would be hand-chiseled out of select yellow pine and the decks shaped from basswood sheets.

                                             Here, I carefully chisel and shape the stern...

                       After chiseling and shaping, sanding is performed and the keel is attached.

Paddlewheels are usually the second feature addressed on these steamboats, due to the fact that errors can occur within spacing between hull and main deck guards. These feathering wheels are made solely of basswood.

The third feature of the build are the stacks which determine the height of each deck in proportion to the vessel's length. This procedure has given accurate models...even if scales are miscalculated.  From here, I move on to the knees and strakes beneath the main deck -making sure every piece of wood is  aligned properly. If off by 1/16 inch the entire project is ruined and can't be corrected.

The next two images show the knee and strake system...

  

 The next step of the build is planning the deck layout. Two different versions were made, so careful   attention had to be centered on the doors and cabin arrangements. Changes were made in these areas   and proper alignment of these features will guarantee proper spacing of windows and rails   throughout the entire build. The plans are not absolute (which I learned years ago when pursuing the   first HENDRICK HUDSON model). It was by far the best model ever made, but there were flaws   based on the architectural drawings of those times.

With the fleet of steamboat models to my credit, I wanted to make sure this 100th model was my very best.

            After mapping out the interior main deck with balsa compartments, the bass cabins are next to be addressed -followed by the chock, kevel, cleat and rail systems. This now present the build for the entire model.

As I worked on the model for several weeks, I paid much attention to HENDRICK HUDSON's superstructure and the international flags that graced her staffs over the hurricane deck. I and the Collector discussed this in length -and basically used the references he provided, along with the notes of Mr.Van Olcott (formerly of Princeton, New Jersey) and Herman Boyle (formerly of Kingston, New York). Both were knowledgeable concerning the Day Line and both had references that helped get the accuracy of the flags in correct order.

From photos, only ten cultures were celebrated in the Hudson Valley; but the vessel only carried eight staffs -so the two remaining flags were probably rotated at different occasions. However, the legacy of the Hudson River Day Line was that it supported all peoples of the valley, regardless of heritage.

Photo of HENDRICK HUDSON steaming past Coxsackie flying the international flags circa 1912. This was printed from a glass plate by Herman Boyle c.1983

                                 Another view of the balsa compartments...

This photo image show the compartments supporting the main deck cabin area and stanchions. Everything is perfectly aligned as a result. This partial view of cabin work took approximately five full days to finish.

So not to mar the hull that has been painted and treated, I hold tissue between it and my hand while carefully cutting away excess paper that enclose the cabin acetate windows. The paper covering is layered for each deck so that the windows are shown to perfection without dust or debris. Since sliding doors are usually open, these are lightly taped while I finish the cabin(s)...The tape is removed after the deck is completed -working this process with each deck application.

Stern main deck cabins being painted while the paper covering is turned back for adding the acetate windows. The balsa compartments and inner stanchions are painted a deep grey so to obstruct any viewing of adhesion around the windows. Sliding doors are then placed, followed by cabin painting  to also divert attention to the interior windows. Finally the paper covering is glued to the cabins for easier placement of the saloon deck.

 Port profile showing the sleek and graceful lines of Day Line steamer HENDRICK HUDSON. This work in progress photo salute all the writings concerning this vessel. She was, in fact, beautiful and was a luxury to river travel at a cost of nearly one million dollars at the time of her build. She had an advertised length of over 400 feet and was licensed to carry 5,500 passengers.

Art was commissioned for interior decoration. Murals depicting Henry Hudson's HALF MOON, Washington Irving's home, the Senate House at Kingston, and the Capitol at Albany were part of the interior displays. She was, in fact, New York's finest Dayliner.

This port bow view shows the steady progress of construction. There is much more to reveal in Part Two of this build; that along with exceptional detail to follow. All my models (past and present) are uniquely one of a kind. They are worth viewing ; if not for the beauty then for the detail.

The Hudson Valley has many hidden gems, especially the steamboat models which is available to any discerning collector.

Commissioned work can be honored for any and all Hudson River steamboats. These are fine, one of a kind models that accurately define the vessel as it appeared at any given time of its career. For contact please email: Caseships@yahoo.com or call 1-774-757-7137 for details. To view my work and credentials please visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/rexstewart and https://youtube.com/c/RexStewartoriginals

Thank you for viewing!

Day Miracle on the Nightboat ONTEORA

                    
                         Nightboat ONTEORA at homeport -Catskill, New York c.1903 


In June of 1985 I received a letter from a retired steamboat Captain named William O. Benson. He heard about my legacy relative to building models of the famous steamboats that operated on the Hudson River. The letter contained an article and photos of a nightboat that ran for the Evening Line in Catskill, New York. Captain Benson was from Kingston, but he had an association with another former Captain who lived in Athens, New York. His name was Ira Cooper.

The letter and photos were of the vessel ONTEORA which I didn't anticipate receiving, but felt that Mr. Benson sent them in hopes that I would make this steamboat one of my projects.

Five years passed since that letter and I received a phone call from a prominent Albany attorney who referred me to another attorney who was interested inhaving a model built of ONTEORA. That individual was Stephen E. Cooper of Nassau, New York -the great grandson of Captain Ira Cooper. After carefully researching the steamboat, I went to work on the plans which took a month to draft -finally building the 1/8 scale model. When completed, we celebrated the finish with a trip to New York's South Street Seaport...my first visit.

Three years passed since that event and I received a call from the great grandson and was told by him that a child was delivered on the ONTEORA, 69 years prior, and that the adult was married and living in Catskill where the vessel once operated. Her name was Onteora Freleigh Whittaker.

Mr. Cooper told me that she was delivered early Thanksgiving morning in 1907 onboard the nightboat by his great grandfather, Ira Cooper. She was named Onteora Freleigh, the daughter of Suzette and Barney W. Freleigh of New York City.

Here in these photos, now married, Mrs. Freleigh-Whittaker poses with the steamboat model of the replica vessel where she was born. She also stands next to Stephen Cooper in the supporting photo at his law office in Nassau, NY.

The Hudson River steamboat model ONTEORA was an interesting build with an interesting history. The research was tedious and somewhat challenging since plans weren't readily available.

T.S. Marvel Company at one time had many plans on their steamboats, but over time they were either lost or discarded. I used some of the older, contemporary plans to get the right specs for the hull and superstructure and used my expertise on cabin configurations to achieve the proper balance of design.

The results were both phenominal and accurate...with
all the glory going to The Lord!

ONTEORA was termed a beautiful vessel by both passengers and rivermen. Operating on the Hudson

River as a medium size steamboat, she was the first iron hull vessel owned by the Catskill
and New York Evening Line. Built at the T.S. Marvel Shipyard in 1898, her measurements were 236 feet with a beam of 35 feet and a draft of 10 feet. For many years she ran in line with the steamboat KAATERSKILL. She was considered a fast vessel with fine accommodations for passengers and freight. The ONTEORA continued service until 1917.

Operating as an excursion boat in the Lower Hudson Valley, she caught fire at Bear Mountain and was destroyed on the river in 1936 -ending her prolific career.
          

                       
                            Hudson River Nightboat ONTEORA c.1906, Wood Model

                       ONTEORA c.1906 -Wood Steamboat Model, Port View  

For more information about commissioning a fine quality Hudson River or Northeast steamboat model email: Caseships@yahoo.com or call 1-77-757-7137. You may also visit  https://www.linkedin.com/in/rexstewart