Wooden Cargo Steamer (Ferris Design Ships)
For model ship builders, these ships are a unique example of an old tradition showing itself on a modern desin of it’s time. Wooden merchant ships with steam engines! After United States entered world war 1, it appeared that existing fleet would not be enough, especially when the German U-Boats were considered. So the Emergency Fleet Corporation signed a contract for 703 wooden cargo stamers to support steel fleet and make use of the timber. Theodore Ferris’ type 1001 design was used as a standard model for the ships. They were 3 islander ships 82.2 meters long (270′) 13.7 meters wide (45′). They had triple expansion steam engines and these wooden cargo ships were capable of cruising at 10 knots.
214 orders were cancelled after armistice was signed. 323 were completed, 44 sold, 23 was lost and 256 sold for scrapping. A large number of wasted ships… They had a bad reputation for high meintenance costs and some rudder problems but 265 of them carried freight overseas.
These plans are actually a little hard to work with. You have to arrange them first to build a model. There are some photos of the ships included to the plan set. Enjoy your model ship building hobby!
Very interesting. I had no idea that this class of ship was ever put into service. I have an interest in early 20th century cargo vessels, and recently completed a half-model of the Nimbin. I am looking for some guidelines to build another Australasian vessel, preferably New Zealand based, from that era.
I am a starter modeller.
Downloaded the gif files converter them to tif files for use in Autocad.
From there i will dimension most parts.
Question:
1.what is a suitable scale in reference with to buy fittings.
I’m thinking to build length between pp around 80 cm.
2. What type of wood is most applicable for modelling from scrap.
As said i am a starter and needs lot of advice.
Thanks for sharing drawings via internet.
I started to work out the framelines.
Because of availability of fittings I think I will choose scale 1: 100.
For me it is new to make a model as detailed on this drawings.
If there is someone who already made this model Please contact me.
I hope to receive some tricks and tips.
Regards,
Pieter Ganzeveld