FRANCIS SKIDDY c.1852 - A Hudson River Legacy...Part One/ Rex Stewart

                   
                     Port stern view showing the intricate details of  FRANCIS SKIDDY as
                     she appeared on the Hudson River when first built in 1852.


Since my last model build of FRANCIS SKIDDY some 30 years ago, I never imagined re-evaluating my work until a collector in the Newburgh area of the Mid-Hudson Valley communicated with me concerning the establishment of a collective body of work involving steamboats from 1830 to 1971. The steamboat of that latter period I make mention of was the last American side wheeler, ALEXANDER HAMILTON which ran on the Hudson River that summer (1971) from New York City to Bear Mountain -closing out its final excursion that year.

Although I would like to continue with the details of these other models, the focal point is FRANCIS SKIDDY.  An earlier blog was written on her eight years ago which, at that time, was considered to be one of the most accurate models of the vessel to present day...However, after pouring over more data I came to discover that more details were evident for a finer, more exclusive model.

Here, in these images, I give some methods of my approach to the medium. Steamboats, particularly  those that commuted in the Northeast Corridor of America, has been my niche for over 40 years. Now, I begin this blog in a two-part presentation to show my viewers how I work to achieve this level of build.

 
               This image shows the early plan I created (c.1985) when coming into my own as a
                artist/craftsman in the maritime... In this photo I am revising details which  were dis-
                covered while pouring over vintage photos depicting river steamboats docked
                at various ports along the Hudson. After carefully study, I was able to change many
                details and reconfigure many features to support my findings.

                This 1859 painting by James Bard (a noted artist of Hudson River steamboats), was the basis for my earlier model(s). However, the unintentional flaw I made was dating the earlier models as being the first appearance in that year -confusing her conversion into a nightboat which occurred in 1855.

                  With the correct scale measurements I now proceed to transfer the data of my
                   templates unto the wood. For all my models the choice of pine has been the
                   signature. It has been (for many years) an easy wood to work with and I've been
                   able to hone in to its properties -achieving attractive contours both at the bow
                   and stern.

                             
                               Carefully chiseling the contours to prevent accidental splitting.

                             Sanding hull to fine finish before applying decking and furniture.

   

                   
                     Carefully carved paddlewheels are temporarily fitted to invite the overlay of
                     the upper deck for proper location of the paddleboxes. Measurements are very
                     tedious and time consuming. An eighth of an inch either way in positioning can
                     ruin an entire project.

       
             Port profile view of main deck layout -which is the foundation (or cornerstone) for quality steamboat models. Everything must align perfectly...and the deck sheer should show no buckling or warping...just a nice sweep from bow to stern.

         With hull, waterline and paddlewheels painted...my next approach are the bulkheads, rails and after cabins. Paddleboxes become an immediate second to encourage the build's direction.

           Port bow overview show penciled outlines for housing layout between the paddleboxes and smokestacks. Also shown are the railing, spar and kingpost arrangements.

              Custom painting a miniature mural of the Hudson Highlands which was carried on the
              paddleboxes of the dayboat FRANCIS SKIDDY during her inaugural run in 1852.

                     
                        Paddlebox  mural is shown before work resumes on saloon deck features.

                              Starboard view showing main deck after cabins in progress...

       
             Hand carving the stanchion posts for both the deck and rail systems.This type work makes the build worthwhile -and lends to enjoyable viewing for the endless stream of clientele.

                                            Detailed view of finished stanchions after carving...

                             
                                Interior closeup showing main deck after cabin carpeted floors.

 
     Port stern profile overview of the FRANCIS SKIDDY tie rod-king post system. Much of it had to be revised with this current build -based on relocating deck furniture on both the saloon and hurricane deck.

      Finally...the revised plan that brought a significant change to a already accurate model. In 'PartTwo' I will go into further detail of how I found these new discoveries. 

     The HudsonRiver is a beautiful waterway that once carried steamboats of the same elegance.FRANCIS SKIDDY was one of them - now sitting in a prolific Newburgh Collection among the legends of other New York steamboat miniatures. I am honored to be a part of this historical event and can only hope that the Collection, as I know it, will remain intact for future generations.

      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 more information about my line of work contact me at: Caseships@yahoo.com or call 1-774-757-7137. For my credentials and work please visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/rexstewart and  https://youtube.com/c/RexStewartoriginals.

Thank you for viewing!

Steamboat Model/ FRANCIS SKIDDY c.1852 -Rex Stewart

    A pen and ink drawing of the famous four-stacker FRANCIS SKIDDY as she appeared
   nightboat-converted on the Hudson River c.1860. Drawing by TITANIC victim and noted 
   maritime artist, Samuel Ward Stanton.

 FRANCIS SKIDDY -Painting, James Bard c.1859, shown as a dayboat. However, she was   converted to a nightboat in 1855, so it must be assumed that this painting represents her   as she was first built in 1852. 


Much has been said and written about the Bard Brothers, John and James, two maritime artists known for their acute draftsman-like style of painting; particularly on those subjects that embraced the Hudson River steamboat. In this genre they were the forerunners.

To this end, I very much enjoyed their folkart approach to the medium -as well as their penchant for adding minute detail those renditions they painted, whether on canvas or paper. I equally enjoyed researching every detail of their vessels- comparing their studies to the vintage photos of that period, when possible. It was this process that brought me to conclude
that their works were accurate and that I could use their studies to assist my blueprints.

However, the scale was somewhat imbalanced and that flaw I couldn't point, because these individuals were artists -not draftsmen.

The river, by and large, introduced to both traveller and riverman a beautiful array of sidewheelers. Each having its own distinctive quality and character -uniquely built and easily recognizable from both river during a port to port passing or from the shoreline. Their design and colorschemes were fascinating to examine, whether in that generation or the generations to follow.

By and large, the sidewheeler, especially those that operated on the Hudson River was a sight to behold...and it opened an entire new door for me as a contemporary artist/ craftsman. Models (or even a series of high quality models) regarding Hudson River steamboats were extremely 'rare' -and the reality was that no one had a clue relative to their configurations...whether builder or historian alike.


Above, my illustration of author Donald C. Ringwald...

It was fitting to explore how these early draftsmen arrived at their paddlebox concepts. The half-circular paddleboxes were highly definitive, distinquishing one steamboat from the other; but not every steamboat carried such intricate workmanship. Some 'boxes' were simple in design; yet, there were other features that made a sidewheeler appealing or familiar to the area where it operated. Such was the case with a large and fast steamer that came to the Hudson River in 1851. The steamer was called the FRANCIS SKIDDY.

She was the largest and finest vessel that had ever been built for the Hudson River. When finished, she was considered the zenith of steamboat architecture. Her model was one of the most beautiful and faultless ever constructed. Sumptuously  fitted up, her cabins were spacious -being finished in mahogany forwhich steamboats of this period was noted. The main cabin was in the hull, extending the entire length and dining tables were made to seat 500 people. The SKIDDY was built for dayline service between New York City and Albany.
Speed was of dire necessity and she made the run 146 miles, with 6 landings, in 7 1/2 hours.                                                                          

    Van Loon Ryder Model of FRANCIS SKIDDY -Smithsonian Museum, Washington, D.C.


Built in 1851 at New York, her wood hull was made by the George Collyer Shipyard. Her length was 322 feet with a hull beam of 38 feet. Her depth of hold was 10 feet 4 inches and she carried a water draft of 5 feet 6 inches. her vertical beam engine was built by James Cunningham and Co. and her four boilers were by John F. Rodman out of New York.

FRANCIS SKIDDY began trips in June, 1852 and for a period left New York every morning, returning back from Albany at night. Several years later she was greatly altered -being rebuilt as a nightboat operating between New York City and Troy with the steamboats COMMODORE, HENDRICK HUDSON, RIP VAN WINKLE and C. VANDERBILT running at different periods with her. On the night of November 5, 1864 while coming southbound she ran ashore at Staatsburgh and sunk. The hull was broken up and the engine placed in the new steamboat DEAN RICHMOND.

With this enlightening history I thought it would make for an interesting model. Only a few models were built of this steamer by the late Van Loon Ryder -of whom his cousin (Grant Van Loon) and I established a friendship that lasted for several years up until his passing.

I spoke with author and historian Donald C. Ringwald about the possible project and he spoke about the rarity of a 'Stewart Model' being part of a unique collective body of contemporary works that the Hudson Valley needed to have. There was also another individual whom agreed and involved himself, a New York realtor by the name of Everett C. Britz. He respected my work enough to write these words:


        Dear Rex -

Based on these qualifications, I personally believe that you are the foremost interpreter of the "Skiddy" of all times and that your translation of your knowledge into a model will make it the model of the "Skiddy" for future generations.

With those words I, with the assistance of both gentlemen, began to research and draft the plans for what was to become the most attractive SKIDDY model in the entire Hudson Valley. It took months of planning, as Mr. Britz was also interested in having it as one of his collective body of steamboats -and referred another gentleman to me who lived in Asia of whom was heir to the Skiddy Family.

His relatives lived in Greenwich, Connecticut.

It was a nice balance to build a steamboat model and have so much history attached to it.
I found myself becoming associated with every link to the Skiddy name, nationally and internationally. It was good to know that the work was appreciated by a group of men and women who respected the era of this industry to trust my workmanship. Cost was not a criteria and I learned that when something is priceless and worthy, cost is blind. And it was because of this association that the best steamboat models in the Northeast started to surface.

          Port bow detail -FRANCIS SKIDDY Model c.1859, wood and scratchbuilt to scale

The history of FRANCIS SKIDDY is another account of a famous steamboat that has been recorded for future generations. Although there exist video footage showing how these vessels operated during those times, one can only imagine riding them.

Every era has its 'today'. What we think is ancient wasn't ancient at all, and what our young generation will deem 'old' won't be old at all. It's just a passing of time and time events that shaped our culture in the period that it was experienced. Steamboating was no exception and I'm delighted to have this ability to preserve the aspect of this lifestyle that was so important to those who lived it. Steamboating is a bygone era, but it's also our culture -whether or not it's embraced.

                    FRANCIS  SKIDDY c.1859 -the model, scratchbuilt of wood and scaled

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For more information about commissioning a fine quality Hudson River steamboat model email: Caseships@yahoo.com or call 1-774-757-7137. You may also visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/rexstewart