West Sea Co. MODELS & HALF HULLS Catalog Page 2

West Sea Company

MODELS & HALF HULLS

Catalog Page 2

When no price is shown, use

button to request the price.

Click on photos for larger images.

Click for ordering details.

2.32 FOLK ART MODEL. Absolutely charming late 19th century American cased waterline folk art ship model. This delightful little wooden model depicts a 2-masted schooner under full sail plying a carved wooden sea with full-rigged carved wooden sails! The solid hull ship has a black boot topping and white bulwarks with bowsprit, masts and yards in natural wood. The 3 jib sails are realistically portrayed with their attachment to the standing rigging, and the mains’l and mizzen are realistically attached with mast hoops! Ratlines and hand-carved wooden blocks complete the rigging, which must surely have been done by a sailor intimately familiar with such details. But that’s not all. The deck detail is amazing! Both old fashioned anchors with chain are depicted. There are 2 deck houses with cut-out windows and open doors. The helmsman is standing aft at the helm with the poop deck above. Two lifeboats in their davits are rigged, and they even contain oars! Yet the piece-de-resistance of this model is the depiction of no fewer than 14 crewmen going about their work on the planked deck! The American flag flies atop the mizzen. All surfaces of the model are colorful and bright in their original old finish. This is because the model has been housed in its original wooden case with alligatored surfaces and old wavy glass on 5 sides. The case measures 18 inches long by 9 inches wide and 14 inches tall. The model itself is 14 ¼ inches long by 11 inches high. Condition is outstanding and original in all respects. In the proper folk art auction this model would zoom. Price just reduced from 1995! 995


SHIP	CLOSE UP	FOCSLE	STERN CLOSE UP

2.33 TANK MODEL. Extremely scarce late 19th century working model of a U.S. Navy fast torpedo boat. This model is much rarer than an equivalent builder’s half hull model. The sleek hull was used to design and test the seaworthiness and speed of such a vessel before building. It consists of a laminated hull, similar in the construction to a half hull, made in several pine “lifts,” then hollowed out, with double bilge keels on both sides and an applied laminated deck. It features a pointed reverse shear bow with classic cruiser stern. A hole is provided in the deck abaft amidships for attachment to the monitoring equipment. This scarce example measures 31 ½ inches long by 3 3/8 inches wide. It is in good original condition retaining its original unfinished natural wood surfaces which have acquired a nice age patina. There are the expected minor scuffs and dings with one early repair to the stem is in evidence. Otherwise the hull is quite sound and very presentable. Well over 100 years old. The first model of its type we have ever encountered. 395

With the advent of steam propulsion navies of the world were intent upon producing two types of warships -- those with armor and large guns, and those with speed and agility. The fast torpedo boat, developed in the 1870’s and refined through the end of the century, exemplified the second type of vessel. The torpedo boat was a relatively small, fast vessel designed to carry torpedoes into battle. The first designs rammed enemy ships with explosive spar torpedoes while later designs launched self-propelled torpedoes. They were created to counter battleships and other large, slow moving armored ships relying on their speed and maneuverability. The tactic was that a number of smaller fast boats could overwhelm a large slow moving ship armed with big, manually-operated guns. Accordingly, a fleet of torpedo boats could engage much larger and more expensive ships. The drawback was that the smaller vessels were confined to coastal waters because of size and limited fuel.

The introduction of fast torpedo boats in the late 19th century was a major innovation in naval warfare of the era. In response, navies operating large ships introduced smaller ships to counter the threat. These were essentially the same as the torpedo boats they faced, but mounted a light gun instead of torpedoes. As these designs evolved they became known as "torpedo boat destroyers," eventually evolving into the modern destroyer.

An example of such a boat, the USS FARRAGUT, Torpedo Boat No. 11 (BT-11) was launched by the Union Iron Works of San Francisco on July 16, 1898, just a few days too late to participate in the Spanish American War. She was 219 feet long and displaced 279 tons. However, by the time she was commissioned in March of 1899 such vessels had already become outmoded as a naval tactic. This was evidenced by the fact that FARRAGUT was used as a training ship during World War I until her decommissioning on March 19, 1919.

BOW DETAIL

MIDSHIPS DETAIL

STERN

REVERSE

TOP

PHOTO

2.36 SHIP DIORAMA. Absolutely delightful 19th century American sailor folk art diorama depicting a charming coastal scene with 3 sailing ships and a tugboat. The foremost vessel is a 4-masted American bark identified on the starboard trail board and the mizzen pennant as the “DIRIGO.” She is depicted under full billowing sail, all of which are made from carved wood! She is outfitted with a carved wooden female figurehead, a capstan on the focs’le, anchor on the cat, 2 deck houses, a lifeboat in davits and even a skylight on the poop. All lines are in tact rigged with carved wooden blocks. Aft of the DIRIGO is a small 2-masted schooner under sail, also flying the American ensign. Forward of the DIRIGO, passing to starboard, is a steam tug towing another American bark out to sea. The tug billows dark (cotton) smoke as it pulls the bark with no sails into a head wind. This smaller 3-masted bark is also very nicely executed with carved figurehead, good deck detail and all lines present. Filling out the scene is a prominent lighthouse on a spit of land. It towers over 3 adjacent buildings surrounded by a white fence and trees in the background. Yet another American flag is depicted flying from a tall flagpole capped by pearl. Ingeniously, a luminescent “light” made of mother-of-pearl adorns the lantern of the lighthouse. All vessels are of carved wood and ply a painted putty sea. The large background panel is made from a single piece of pine, nicely painted with subtle colors portraying the sky in a realistic manner. Evidencing its age, the paint has become slightly alligatored with time. The sides of the diorama are also pine affixed with old nails and wood screws. The back is painted in its original dark blue/gray paint with evidence of old newspaper used to seal the joints. The entire presentation is nicely framed in a period “Eastlake” style walnut frame with gold liner and retains it original old wavy glass. It measures 24 ½ by 40 ½ inches overall and 18 ½ by 34 ½ inches sight. The diorama is constructed on a slant, tapering from 7 inches thick at the bottom to 4 inches at the top. A magnificently preserved example of this desirable form of sailor folk art. Circa 1890.

The 4-masted Bark DIRIGO was homeported in the Pacific Northwest in the gold4en age of the lumber trade there, also coinciding with the Alaskan gold rush. Further research could reveal additional information about the time and place of this scene.

PERSPECTIVE 1

PERSPECTIVE 2

DETAIL 1

DETAIL 2

DETAIL 3

DETAIL 4

LIGHT HOUSE

BACK

2.35 SCARCE WEST COAST HALF HULL. Genuine builder’s half block model used in the actual construction of the representative vessel. This fine example is constructed in the traditional way using at least 7 laminate “lifts” of what appears to be Western Red Cedar. The vessel depicted is a motor trawler of 1930’s vintage. The model is in its original varnished finish with a lovely mellow patina. Two of the lifts are stained to represent the waterline and freeboard. A very handsome original half hull which measures 26 ¼ inches long, 4 ¼ inches wide and 4 ½ inches high. This model retains its two original eyelets for convenient display. Excellent original condition throughout with a great old look! Very reasonably priced.

The fact that this model is constructed of cedar, indigenous to the state of Washington, indicates it was made by one of the shipbuilding yards that flourished in that region at the turn of the last century.

DECK

BACK

BOW

2.31 UNUSUAL FOLK ART SHIP MODEL. Charming 19th century sailor-made ship model of a 3-masted bark. This folksy little model is well-executed showing cat heads, anchors, capstan, running lights and chocks on the focs’le. The main deck has 3 hatches, 2 deck houses, lifeboats and 4 sets of bits. The poop deck exhibits another hatch, skylight, steering gear with helm and two more sets of bits. Standing rigging is depicted in a realistic manner and the yards are squared. This waterline model has red boot topping, green bulwarks and a black deck. It is inset into a nicely finished natural pine plank cut-out to receive the hull. The periphery of this mount is surrounded by macraméd cotton line which extends upward on the 4 corners to a “bell rope” hanger at the top with two Turk’s head knots. Finishing off the decorative ropework, two star knots are affixed to the plank. The model itself measures 13 ½ inches long, 5 inches wide and 9 ¼ inches tall. The mount is 15 inches wide, 5 3/4 inches deep and hangs 20 inches tall overall. There is a wooden “spreader” just below the “bell rope” hanger which keeps the entire assembly nicely in place. Excellent original condition. The first such configuration of a ship model we have encountered! 975

SHIP

DETAIL

ROPEWORK

2.30 AMERICAN SCRIMSHAW MODEL. Rare! Genuine 3rd quarter of the 19th century sailor-made scrimshaw model of a 3-masted packet ship. This well-rigged, highly detailed model is scrimshaw. It is NOT a beef bone P.O.W model! Constructed of whalebone, whale ivory, baleen and a rich tropical hardwood, the keel and bottom of the ship are dark brown wood. The boot topping is a narrow strip of black baleen attached with tiny pins. Above it, from the bulwark to the rail is planked whalebone attached with brass pins. Deck fittings are carved of bone and ivory including the bowsprit, figurehead, catheads, foc’sle capstan, bilge pump, main deckhouse, cargo holds, ladders, aft deckhouse with bench, skylight, binnacle and steering gear box with brass helm. The detail is really quite amazing given the material from which it is made. The masts and tops are all of carved whalebone as are the meticulously-fashioned bone blocks in the running rigging. The spars are all of dark hardwood which provide a very pleasing contrasty effect. The ratlines and stays on each mast are hand-tied and terminate in “bead” dead eyes along the bone-braced bulwarks. This model is in superb original condition mounted on its original African mahogany stand. It measures14 inches long overall by 10 inches tall and is 4 ¾ inches wide on the mainmast spar. A superlative, museum-quality example of American whaleman scrimshaw art at its finest , proudly exhibiting its 140+ year age.

A nearly identical model was sold from the very prestigious collection of Alice and Murray Braunfeld at Sotheby’s American Furniture and Folk Art sale conducted January 17, 2004 during “Americana Week.”

Not available or for sale in California. Shipped from Massachusetts.

REVERSE

FIGUREHEAD

FORWARD DETAIL

AFT DETAIL

STERN

RIGGING

PLATE

2.10 LIVE STEAM MODEL. Impressive, large mid-1900’s launch featuring a genuine live steam propulsion plant. This high quality model is likely of German manufacture. It has a sleek molded fiberglass hull fully sheathed and planked on the inside with mahogany and teak. The inner floor boards are of planked mahogany to which the steam plant is mounted. It consists of a gas burner sheathed in wood with brass banding. The burner exhausts into the boiler, similarly sheathed, containing the throttle, relief valve, pressure gauge and tall smokestack. Attached to the front of the smokestack is a working brass steam whistle. The steam outlet is directed to the dual reciprocating engine with crankshaft and revering gear. Abaft the crankshaft is a heavy flywheel connected to a universal joint, grease cup and the drive shaft. The shaft extends through the rear of the vessel terminating in a 4-bladed brass propeller. There are 2 compartmental seats with hinged lids on either side of the engine and another small double door compartment in the forward peak. This model is complete with brass helm wheel and large pivoting rudder. The foc’sle has a brass stockless anchor with chain and a large wooden bitt. The deck is trimmed in mahogany with 2 brass chocks and a flagpole aft. The model rests in its heavy solid mahogany stand measuring 30 ½ inches long by 5 ¼ inches wide. The launch itself measures 50 inches long with a beam of 13 ½ inches. The entire presentation stands 17 inches tall. We have not attempted to fire up the steam plant. But be assured, every aspect of the engine is clean and free of corrosion. The crankshaft readily turns and all components of the drive train move freely.

HELM

STEAM PLANT

STERN

2.28 MINIATURE MUSEUM MODEL. Genuine hand-made model of the early 20th century San Francisco Bay ferryboat “MENDICINO” operated by the Western Pacific Railroad, as stenciled on both sides. This wonderfully detailed waterline model is constructed entirely of wood with hand-cut brass and metal fittings. It comes from the prestigious collection of the DeYoung Museum of San Francisco, California which was recently sold by that institution to generate funds for expansion and improvements of their facility. The model itself measures 6 1/4 inches long by 1 1/2 inches wide. With that, it exhibits superb detailing for a model of its size and type. It is signed on the bottom in pencil, "NorthWestern Redwood Empire Ferry MENDICINO." Excellent condition with all original old painted surfaces. A great early San Francisco Bay offering! 595

This exquisite little model is of the Northwestern Pacific's premier ferryboat MENDICINO built by Bethlehem Steel Company, Union Yard, San Francisco in 1927. She had a steel hull with a length of 251 feet, breadth of 46 feet, 19 foot draft and displaced 2,467 tons. Later in her career her ownership was transferred to the Southern Pacific Railroad and finally to Golden Gate Ferries, Ltd. The identity of the modeler who constructed this fine ship model is unknown, but obviously he was in every sense a skilled professional!

Literature: George E. Harlan, “San Francisco Bay Ferryboats,” 1967, Howell-North Books, Berkeley, California, page 178.

REVERSE

SIGNATURE

2.17 DOCKYARD MODEL. Genuine, mid-1900’s dockyard model identified on the presentation plaque, “MODERN OIL TANKER S.S. T.S. PETERSON Launched April 11, 1950 Length Over-All 624’-9-3/4… Normal Crew 50 men, OPERATED BY CALIFORNIA TRANSPORT CORPORATION (Subsidiary of Standard Oil Company of California).” This authentic builder’s model is hand-made to scale (1 inch = 16 feet) with the most exacting of tolerances and detail. The hull is of solid wood and all deck fittings are of wood or metal. It is depicted from the waterline up in a fully loaded condition plying a calm sea, represented by a painted wooden base. It is contained within its heavy plate glass case on a mahogany base. The model itself measures 38 ½ inches long, 5 ¼ inches wide and 6 ½ inches high. The case measures 43 ¾ inches long, 9 ¾ inches long and 9 ¼ inches high. Outstanding original condition, noting only some very minor age crazing to the paint along parts of the stern. Surely this model adorned the corporate offices of the California Transport Corp. in its early days.

Representative of America's post-war building program, the 29,680 gross register ton tanker T. S. PETERSON, was laid down at the Sparrows Point, Maryland yard of Bethlehem Steel Corporation in 1949 and launched on April 11, 1950. In 1958 she changed house flags under ownership of the Chevron Shipping Company and was renamed the CHEVRON TRANSPORTER. Under that name she continued to operate until 1976 when she was scrapped in Taiwan after being replaced by a new series of ships with their superstructures aft.


STERN	STERN DETAIL	SHIP	AMID SHIPS


NAME PLATE	IN CASE	BOW DETAIL

2.03 FAMOUS BATTLESHIP MODEL with MUSEUM PROVENANCE. Exhibition-quality model of the World War II dreadnought USS CALIFORNIA (BB-44). This sailor-built model is faithful to the original ship and was actually built on board during one of the most famous Naval battles in history, the Battle of the Surigao Straits on October 25, 1944! The large wooden stand bears the engraved Bakelite plaque reading: "MODEL OF THE USS CALIFORNIA Hull turrets and guns are of balsa wood, superstructures are of white pine, gun shields and platforms are of bristol board. Model took 10 months to complete. This model has been through the battle of Surigao Straights in the Philippines. It was there when Mac Arthur landed on Leyte Island in the Philippines. Built by B. M. Mickschl CH CARP. USN." The hull measures 38 inches long by 7 inches wide and the model stands 10 1/2 inches high overall. The stout wooden base measures 41 inches long by 8 3/4 inches wide. Now complete with a professionaly-made custom Plexiglass case. This model is in an incredible state of original preservation considering its construction, detail and age. A genuine piece of history! 2495

A well-known Museum has commissioned us to sell this model, because it is not in keeping with the Museum's collection objectives. For purposes of public anonymity we will not publish the Museum's name here. However we will provide provenance to the successful buyer so that this valuable aspect of the model's history will not be lost.

The USS CALIFORNIA (BB- 44) was a Tennessee-class battleship launched on November 20, 1919 by Mare Island Navy Yard, California and was commissioned on August 10, 1921, as flagship of Pacific Fleet -- a duty she retained until 1941. She took part in the Presidential reviews of 1927, 1930, and 1934 and was modernized in 1929-1930.

On "The Day of Infamy," December 7, 1941, she was moored at the southernmost berth of "Battleship Row" in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. At 0805 a bomb exploded below decks in an ammunition magazine killing 50 men and setting her afire. A second bomb ruptured her bow plates. Despite valiant efforts to keep her afloat, CALIFORNIA settled into the mud with only her superstructure above the surface. When the action ended, 98 of her crew were lost and 61 wounded. On March 26, 1942 she was refloated and departed under her own power for Puget Sound Navy Yard for major reconstruction.

Restored to her original glory, CALIFORNIA sailed from Bremerton on January 31, 1944 in time to provide shore bombardment for the invasion of the Marianas Islands. During the bitter fight for Saipan in June, she was conducting shore bombardment when struck by an enemy shore battery killing one man and injuring nine. Following Saipan, her heavy guns helped blast the way during the assaults on Guam and Tinian.

In September 1944 CALIFORNIA prepared for the invasion of the Philippines. From October 17 through November 20 she played a key role in the Leyte operation, including participation in the last classic Naval battle ever fought between surface combatants, the Battle of Surigao Strait on October 20th. That momentous engagement resulted in the decimation of the Japanese fleet. On January 6, 1945 while providing shore bombardment at Lingayen Gulf she was hit by Kamikazes, killing 44 and wounding 155. Again she departed the front to undergo repairs Stateside.

Returning to action at Okinawa in June 1945, CALIFORNIA remained until July 21st. Two days later she joined Task Force 95 to cover minesweeping operations in the China Sea. After the surrender of Japan in early August, CALIFORNIA sailed via Singapore, Colombo, and Capetown, to Philadelphia, with a fitting arrival on December 7th. She was placed in reserve on August 7, 1946 and ultimately sold for scrap in 1959.

CALIFORNIA received seven battle stars for World War II service. Today, her bell rests in a memorial at Capital Park, Sacramento, a fitting tribute to a fine ship and her crew.

SPECIFICATIONS

Length overall: 624' 6"
Beam: 114'(1943)
Mean Draft: 30' 5"
Displacement: 40,950 tons (1943)
Speed: 20 knots (1943)
Main guns: 12 14"/50 cal. (Mk 11), 4 triple turrets
Secondary: 10 x 5"/51 cal. mounted in sponsons
16 x 5"/38 cal. in 8 twin turrets (1945)
56 x 40mm Bofors in fourteen quad mounts
6 x 50 cal. heavy machine guns
80 x 20mm Oerlikons
2 x 21" Torpedoes
Complement: 57 officers, 1026 men

PERSPECTIVE STERN AMIDSHIPS BOW PLAQUE

IN 1936 PEARL HARBOR IN 1944

2.96 MUSEUM MODEL & PHOTO. Genuine hand-made model of an early 20th century San Francisco Bay ferryboat operated by the Western Pacific Railroad, as identified on the bottom with pencil markings. This wonderfully detailed waterline model is constructed entirely of wood with hand-cut brass and metal fittings. It comes from the prestigious collection of the DeYoung Museum of San Francisco, California which was recently sold by that institution to generate funds for expansion and improvements of their facility. The model itself measures 4 1/2 inches long by 1 1/2 inches wide. With that, it exhibits superb detailing for a model of its size and type. It is signed on the bottom in pencil, "Wes. Pac. RR Co. Ferry, San Francisco." Excellent condition with all original old painted surfaces. Accompanying this offering is a rare period photograph of the actual vessel circa 1915, mounted on its original card which measures 8 by 10 inches and is in perfect original condition. A great early San Francisco Bay offering! 495

This exquisite little model is identifiable as the Western Pacific's premier ferryboat EDWARD T. JEFFERY built by Moore & Scott Iron Works, Oakland, California in 1913. She had a steel hull which displaced 1578 tons, with a length of 218 feet, breadth of 42 feet and a 16 foot draft. The JEFFERY was a very well known ferry, highly esteemed by Bay residents at that time. Later in her career, about 1930, she was renamed FEATHER RIVER. In 1933 she was again renamed SIERRA NEVADA when ownership was transferred to the Southern Pacific Railroad. The identity of the modeler who constructed this fine ship model is unknown, but obviously he was in every sense a skilled professional !


REVERSE	PHOTO	SUPER DETAIL

2.20 MUSEUM QUALITY MODEL. Absolutely superb, professionally-built scale model identified on the painted wooden presentation plaque on the front of the case,“The Whaler DISCOVERY as converted for SCOTT’S POLAR EXPLORATION Scale 32’ = 1”.” This exquisite miniature waterline model depicts all aspects of the handsome ship’s details in a scale so fine as to defy imagination! The carved wooden hull is gracefully contoured. The wooden masts and spars are as fine as needles! Rigging is faithful and to scale. The deck equipment, ladders, wheels, lights, funnels, anchors, bitts, lifeboats and more are of amazing quality. In short this Lilliputian model portrays a real ship in a miniature size. It is housed in its original all glass case with realistic putty sea and a shaped mahogany base. The model itself measures a mere 7 inches long overall by 4 inches high. The case measures 13 inches long by 4 ½ inches wide and 6 inches high. Outstanding original condition with good signs of age.

Provenance: Parker Gallery, London, 1967.

DISCOVERY was laid down by The Dundee Shipbuilders Company on March 16, 1900 in Dundee, Scotland. She was launched on March 21,1901, christened by Lady Markham, wife of the President of the Royal Geographic Society. Displacing 1,570 tons, with a length 172 feet in length and a beam of 33 feet, the 3-masted steam whaler was of wooden construction. Her compliment was 11 officers and 36 men. Bark-rigged, DISCOVERY had coal-fired auxiliary steam engines which provided a maximum speed of 8 knots. But the she was designed primarily for sail. Her especially stout wooden hull was built to withstand being frozen in ice. DISCOVERY was the last 3-masted wooden sailing ship built in Britain.

Five months after setting sail on August 6, 1901 from the Isle of Wight, the crew of DISCOVERY first sighted the Antarctic coastline on January 8th the following year. During that first month Scott charted the coastline. In preparation for the winter, he anchored in McMurdo Sound, where the ship would remain frozen in the ice pack for the next two years. During that time the expedition was able to determine that Antarctica was indeed a continent, and they were able to relocate the Southern Magnetic Pole. Using explosives, the ship was finally freed on February 16, 1904 and sailed back to Britain, arriving on September 10, 1904.

The British National Antarctic Expedition was acclaimed upon its return. But the Society was in serious financial trouble. DISCOVERY was sold to the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1905, employed as a cargo vessel between London and Canada until the First World War. Outdated and outclassed by more modern merchant vessels, she was laid up in 1920.

But in 1923 DISCOVERY’s fortune changed when she was revived for further research work in the Antarctic. Registered to Stanley in the Falklands and designated as a Royal Research Ship, DISCOVERY underwent a major refit before sailing in October 1925 for the South Seas to chart the migration patterns of whales and to do other Antarctic research. She continued in that duty through 1931.

Her research days over, DISCOVERY was again laid up until 1936 when she was presented to the Boy Scouts as a stationary training ship. During the Second World War her engines and boilers were removed for scrap to help with the war effort. Too costly for the Scouts Association to maintain, she was transferred to the Admiralty in 1955 for use as a drill ship for the Royal Navy Reserves. As the years passed her condition deteriorated. Being of no further use to the Navy, she was earmarked for scrapping. Thankfully though, she was saved from the breakers by the Maritime Trust in 1979, which assured her final rest in Dundee Harbor, Scotland, where she reamins to this day.

Robert Falcon Scott was a Royal Navy officer and explorer who led two expeditions to the Antarctic. The first was the Discovery Expedition (1901-1904) and the second was the ill-fated Terra Nova Expedition (1910–13). In his second quest, Scott led a party of five which reached the South Pole on January 17, 1912, only to find that they had been preceded by Norwegian Roald Amundsen. Defeated and exhausted, tragically Scott and his four comrades succumbed to hunger and the extreme cold on their return from the Pole.


MIDSHIP DETAIL	BOW DETAIL	SHIP	STERN DETAIL

PHOTO

2.14 CRUISE MEMENTO MODEL. Genuine passenger ship cruise trophy from the famous American President Lines cargo/passenger liner the "S. S. PRESIDENT CLEVELAND" as identified in embossed letters below the model of the ship. This good likeness is formed of heavy cast metal done with faithful detail. It is faced by an engraved brass plaque reading “ACHIEVEMENT” and flanked by the embossed inscription “ACHIEVEMENT.” Excellent overall condition with a good age patina. 8 1/2 inches long by 2 1/2 inches wide. A very displayable and handsome authentic model. 69

The steam cargo/passenger ship SS PRESIDENT CLEVLAND was a P2 design ship built in 1947 by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Co., Alameda California, Hull No. 9509. She had a length of 609 feet, a draft of 30 feet, displaced 23,404 tons and had a cruising speed of 20 knots. Designed to carry 379 First Class passengers and 200 economy, she also boasted a cargo capacity of 193,984 cubic feet. Homeported in San Francisco, the CLEVELAND along with her sister ship the PRESIDENT WILSON reestablished America’s preeminence in the passenger trade between the West Coast and the Orient. But in 1973, with passenger liner service no longer profitable, American President Lines sold the ship. It was scrapped a year later.

BACK

2.11 CASED MODEL. Simply superb folk art model of an American 4-masted bark identified on the quarterboards as the "DELFIN." This scratch-built sailor-made model is constructed entirely of wood with some metal parts such as davits and rails and exhibits the highest standards of the ship modeler's art. All deck details are represented including chocks, bitts, running lights, capstan, ventilators, ladders, rails, deck house with skylight, doors and windows; ship's boats in davits, midships deckhouse with Charlie Noble, hatches, fife rails, poop with deck house, steering gear box, binnacle and a finely executed railing. Detail aloft is also of the highest order showing the standing rigging taught and to scale with blocks properly depicted. The vessel flies the American ensign from the spanker boom aft and is identified on the stern transom "DELFIN BOSTON." The ship is shown standing at anchor with both hooks out in a painted putty sea. The entire presentation is contained within its original glazed wooden case in untouched original condition showing great old crackled surfaces. The model itself is crisp, bright and as clean as they come. The case measures 19 3/4 inches long by 6 1/2 inches wide and stands 10 1/4 inches high. One of the nicest folk art ship models ever!


PERSPECTIVE	SHIP	FOC'SLE	MIDSHIPS	POOP	STERNBOARD

2.07 FAMOUS SHIP MODEL. Exceptional, working model of Admiral Byrd's first Polar exploration ship the USS CITY OF NEW YORK. This period, hand-made model is of all wood construction with brass, metal, mica and even some ivory fittings! The solid hull is laminated in lifts, similar to the construction of authentic half hulls. It is painted black below the waterline, gray on the bulwarks, with white rails. There are five portholes aft and 3 gunports amidships on each side. The vessel is of full ship rig with three masts and has authentically detailed standing and running rigging, fife rails, belaying pins, rat lines, dead eyes, mast tops, etc. The focsle deck is complete with capstan, cat heads, kedge anchors and chain life lines. Amidships are the life boats in their davits, cargo hatch and winch. Further aft the deck house is complete with portholes, door and windows with mica "glass." A water cask with spigot is mounted on top along with the Marconi antenna and flying bridge with functional helm! There is also a footed storage box, dinghy and racks of ivory buckets with bail handles! On the poop deck is the skylight with mica windows. Mounted atop it is the binnacle which actually shows the compass needle! On the starboard side is a sounding machine. The after steering gear is incredible. It is realistically constructed with chains fairlead through pulleys, connected to the flying bridge helm, which actually turn the rudder! To accomplish this, the rudder is attached with functional post and pintle construction. Forward of the rudder is the ship's brass propeller. The model is supported in a solid teak wood cradle and is protected within a lovely solid glazed mahogany case. The model itself measures 34 1/2 inches long overall and 23 inches high. The case measures 41 inches long, 11 1/2 inches wide and stands 27 1/2 inches tall. This model is authentic to the period and may have actually been constructed by a crewman onboard the CITY OF NEW YORK. Circa 1930. Excellent original condition throughout showing good age and careful preservation.

THE SHIP

The famous polar exploration ship USS CITY OF NEW YORK was originally built as a sealing barkentine named the SAMPSON, launched in Arendal, Norway in 1885. Of very stout construction, her hull was up to 34 inches thick in some places! Lingering stories suggest that she was the "mystery ship" seen on the night RMS TITANIC sank. Many witnesses claimed to have seen lights of an unknown ship near TITANIC that fateful night. SAMPSON purportedly was engaged in illegal sealing operations at the time and location TITANIC went down. The belief is that the crew of SAMPSON was startled by the fast approaching ship firing rockets. Thinking it to be a revenue cutter, the poachers fled. In tragic irony, it was actually the ill-fated TITANIC firing distress rockets after it had struck an iceberg!

After a long career as a sealer, SAMPSON was purchased in 1927 for the U.S. Navy by Admiral Richard E. Byrd to be used as his polar exploration flagship. En route New York for refit she was nearly lost in a severe storm crossing the Atlantic. With her steam engine inoperable, the transit ended up taking 3 months instead of 3 weeks! But finally she arrived in her new namesake port where she was rebuilt and ship-rigged as the CITY OF NEW YORK.

Newly fitted out, the USS CITY OF NEW YORK departed New York on August 25, 1928 bound for New Zealand. Arriving there on November 26th, she took on additional supplies and set out for Antarctica. Upon reaching the pack ice on January 1st 1929, CITY OF NEW YORK located a suitable spot for an Antarctic base. The newly established base was named Little America, where it actively remains to this day! After CITY OF NEW YORK unloaded her cargo she attempted exploration trips through the ice. But in the face of severe weather, the ship was forced to abandon such attempts. She departed for New Zealand in mid-February, barely making it out of the ice pack in time. After refueling from a supply ship she pushed north through terrific gales and was nearly lost. She laid up for the winter in New Zealand. Undaunted, CITY OF NEW YORK sailed south on January 5, 1930. But again, she ran into heavy weather from the start, and only reached pack ice after great difficulty. There she was hit by a 100 mph hour gale. With her engine straining, she was driven backwards onto the ice shelf. To save her rudder the captain swung her broadside and she rode out the gale pinned to the ice. The storm encased the CITY OF NEW YORK in over 200 tons of dangerous ice topside. With a normal displacement of only 500 tons, tired crewmen were forced to set about the laborious task of chipping away the ice for fear of capsizing! CITY OF NEW YORK finally arrived at Little America on February 18th. Evacuation of personnel still at the base commenced immediately, and within 24 hours the ship was headed north again.

Upon returning to her homeport, CITY OF NEW YORK was replaced on future Antarctic explorations by the famous ex-whaler, the USS BEAR. CITY OF NEW YORK became a floating polar research museum, touring the Atlantic coast and Great Lakes. World War II brought great need for shipping. To help meet that need CITY OF NEW YORK was rerigged as a 3-masted schooner, stripped of her engine and reentered service in 1944 out of Halifax, Nova Scotia. But by 1947 she was deemed to be too slow. So her topmasts were removed, her bowsprit was shortened and she was fitted with an engine. Thus she became a motor schooner, carrying lightened sail.

The venerable ship finally met her fate in 1962 when, as she was being towed out of Yarmouth Harbor, Nova Scotia, the tow line parted and she drifted onto Chebogue Ledge. She quickly took on water and sank.

THE MODEL

Norwegian Martin Rønne was a veteran of famous Roald Amundsen's 1911 expedition which was the first to reach the South Pole. Employed as a tent and sail maker, Rønne quickly established a reputation as a gifted craftsman and hard worker. Several years later, in 1926, American Polar explorer Richard Byrd asked Amundsen who he would recommend as an advisor for his forthcoming Antarctic expedition. Without hesitation Amundsen named Martin Rønne.

It took 3 years and a considreable sum for Byrd to convince Rønne to join the party. But Rønne finally relelented and embarked on the expedtion which arrived at the southern continent in early 1929. Months later, Rønne wintered over at Little America with 42 other men. He was the only man in the group who had ever been to the Antarctic before, including Byrd himself! During those long winter months Rønne completed sledging equipment, tents, sleeping bags, and clothing for coming summer explorations. In his spare time he also made a model of their flagship, the CITY OF NEW YORK, which he presented to Byrd the following year. In 1933, this model was exhibited onboard the ship itself at the Century of Progress exhibition in Chicago. At the time Byrd, was offered three thousand dollars for it but rejected the sum. Byrd valued Rønne's work and often exhibited the model with great pride, expressing his admiration in the most glowing terms.

Martin Rønne and Richard Byrd were good friends. In later years Byrd wrote of him in his book, "Little America," “. . . the oldest and most experienced man in the party was Martin Rønne, a 68 year old Norwegian veteran of several of Amundsen's expeditions. It was a silken tent he made, left behind by Amundsen, that Scott found at the South Pole. I now understand why Amundsen recommended him. I doubt if I will ever come across another man like Rønne where work is concerned. He is probably the greatest craftsman in polar clothing to be found anywhere.”

http://ronneantarcticexplorers.com/Martin_Ronne.htm

Written provenance that this is Rønne's model does not exist. But certainly its age, the precise execution of its details, consistent with one intimately familiar with the ship itself, and the materials from which it is made, all point to the fact that IT IS!

(See also item 5.25 EXTREMELY IMPORTANT HISTORICAL COLLECTION "USS BEAR.")


IN CASE	REVERSE


AFT	DECK HOUSE	FOC'SLE	STERN	FIGUREHEAD

2.08 FAMOUS SHIP MODEL with MUSEUM PROVENANCE. Period, hand-made model of the World War II troop ship USS HERMITAGE. This sailor-made model exhibits excellent craftsmanship and very fine detail, with all aspects of the ship's construction meticulously executed, even down to the coxswain's rails and planking on the ship's boats! The large, solid hull wooden model measures 41 inches long by 5 1/4 inches wide at the widest on the bridge wings. It is mounted atop its original solid cherrywood base measuring 43 inches long by 5 1/2 inches wide and 1 inch thick. Outstanding original condition for a model of this size, construction and vintage! 2495

A well-known Museum has commissioned us to sell this model because it is not in keeping with the purpose of its collection. The Museum has asked us to provide anonymity during this offering. However full Museum provenance will be provided to the successful buyer so that its valuable history will be retained with the model.

The grand passenger ship S.S. CONTE BIANCOMANO was launched in 1925 by William Beardmore & Co. Ltd. of Glasgow, Scotland, sailing as a luxury liner for Lloyd Triestino So. Anon. di Nav. Italia. When Italy declared war on the United States shortly after America's entry into the War with Japan in December 1941, CONTE BIANCOMANO was interned at Balboa, Canal Zone, sailed to the U.S. and converted to a troop transport by Cramp Shipbuilding of Philadelphia. She was commissioned as the USS HERMITAGE on August 14, 1942.

On November 2, 1942 HERMITAGE embarked 5,600 army troops and sailors and departed New York for the Mediterranean. Six days later the North African invasion began, and HERMITAGE debarked her passengers at Casablanca to participate in the famous campaign known as Operation Torch. Returning to Norfolk, Virginia on December 11th, HERMITAGE next steamed for the Pacific with nearly 6,000 passengers embarked. After embarking and debarking passengers at Balboa, Noumea, Brisbane, Sydney Pago Pago, and Honolulu the former luxury liner put into San Francisco on March 2nd, 1943.

HERMITAGE next made way for Wellington, New Zealand on March 27, 1943, calling at Melbourne, Australia and Bombay India. In Bombay she embarked some 707 Polish refugees, including nearly one hundred children, for a voyage back to California which ended on June 25th. In the following year HERMITAGE made three similar cruises in the South Pacific, with battle-bound troops, civilians, and refugees.

HERMITAGE departed New York on June 16, 1944 with over 6,000 troops headed for the D-Day invasion of Europe, which had just begun at Normandy. From then on, until the end of the war, she made 10 more voyages to Le Havre and other ports, bringing additional troops to the European theater and returning the wounded back to the States along with P.O.W.'s.

V-E Day, May 8, 1945, found HERMITAGE in the midst of a celebration in Le Havre Harbor, France. With the War over, she was pressed into service returning veterans home from the European theater through December 1945. Departing New York 12 December, the well-traveled transport sailed to Nagoya, Japan to embark 6,000 veterans to Seattle, arriving February 4, 1946. Assigned to the San Francisco-Marianas run for Operation Magic Carpet, she made three more voyages before being decommissioned in San Francisco on August 20, 1946.

While serving with the Navy, HERMITAGE sailed over 230,000 miles, transporting 129,695 passengers, including American, British, Australian, French and Dutch fighting men. She also carried Chinese, American, Polish, and British civilians, not to mention German and Italian prisoners. HERMITAGE was returned to the Italian Government in May 1947 and renamed SS CONTE BIANCAMANO once more. Fittingly, the sunset of her career saw her continuing in her originally designed role as a passenger liner until she was ultimately scrapped in 1969.


STERN	MIDSHIPS	BOW


DETAIL	REVERSE	SHIP

2.70 CASED FOLK ART MODEL. Exceptional late 19th century American sailor-made model of the 4-masted bark signed on the stern in relief "DIL" (probably the maker's initials) and identified on both trail boards as "ALBERT." This charming folk art ship model is entirely hand made in a manner very faithful to the original. The sleek, waterline hull is sculpted entirely out of carved wood. All aspects of this model are executed with a superiority of detail that we have never encountered in such a model before. ALL of the ship's lines, both standing and running rigging are depicted, including the square sail lift lines, bunt lines and clews, and even individually hand tied rat lines. These are details rarely seen even on the finest scale models. Also depicted are the jib sail halyards -- virtually never seen in a model of this type. All tackle (blocks) are individually formed and properly depicted with line actually rove through the cheeks. Other rigging details include chafing gear on the ratlines and even tiny keeper stays tied between them! Fine woolding is in evidence at the attachment of the aft spanker sail. Deck detailing is superior. All 4 hand-carved lifeboats are meticulously depicted in their cradles. The deck detail on this fine model include wooden ship's rails; ladders; deck houses with windows, doors and decorative carving; portholes; the "Charlie Noble"; kedge anchor and anchor davit; capstan; ship's foc'sle bell; hatches; bits; catwalk with railing, steering gear box with wheel; binnacle; port and starboard running lamps; and even deck scuppers! In short, the maker of this model knew every inch of his ship and was determined to get it right no matter how much effort it took!! All the more remarkable is the fact that this beautifully rigged vessel is depicted with a full compliment of carved wooden sails elegantly sculpted in a billowy and realistic manner. To have depicted it with paper or cloth sails would have been a chore enough -- but in wood?! This simply incredible model is housed within its original hand-made wooden case with its original old wavy glass measuring 32 3/4 inches long, 17 1/4 inches high and 9 3/4 inches wide. The model itself measures 24 inches long and 14 inches high. It plies a realistically formed blue putty "sea" with curling waves and painted white caps. This model flies a colorful house flag, large name pennant and the American ensign aft. This is without a doubt the nicest sailor-made model we have ever seen. Outstanding, untouched, original condition. A joy to behold! Retail $4500. 3500

Provenance: San Francisco Bay area estate.

    The handsome square rigger ALBERT was launched by the Hall Brothers Shipbuilding Yard, Port Ludlow, Washington in 1890. She was of bark rig with a length of 182 feet and displaced 682 tons. Home ported in San Francisco, she plied the West coast trade until being wrecked near Point Reyes, California on April 2, 1919.
    The 3 flags on this model corroborate its dating and origin. The house flag "P" for Port Ludlow, the name pennant "A" for Albert, and the 40 star American flag which only existed for a few months during the year 1890.
    The provenance of this model is also consistent with its home port and the locale of its ultimate demise -- the rugged outcropping on the Marin coast known as Point Reyes, just north of San Francisco.


IN CASE	DETAIL	REVERSE


FOCSLE DETAIL	RIGGING DETAIL	RIGGING DETAIL AFT	STERN DETAIL

2.67 DETAILED STEAM/SAIL SHIP MODEL. Really superb scratch-built and dated American model of a steam/sail brig from the 19th century. This period model is entirely hand made with precision detail and near scale rigging. The laminated wooden hull is beautifully sculpted and has a hollow interior with keel, tween deck, and lead ballast. The wooden deck in old mustard paint is scored to simulate planking. Details include bowsprit with dolphin striker and chain stays; billet head; both kedge anchors; rotating foc'sle capstan; fife rails; main deck hatch with accommodation ladder; removable deck house with funnel; steam whistle; "Charlie Noble"; 2 ventilators; 2 lifeboats; ship's bell; deck ladder; doors; windows with glass; aft house with door and glazed windows; functional helm; poop deck ladders; helm bell; poop deck skylight and realistic brass eagle sternboard! But there is much more! The deck house is signed on the bottom "Built 1876 to 1882." Using extreme care it may be safely removed to reveal an internal gearing system attached by a leather belt to an arbor running through the port side bulwark. Engaging the arbor with a clock winding key actually rotates the vessel's propeller! When the deck house is in place, the funnel is secured by 4 removable guy wires. As mentioned, the helm is functional and works as a real ship's steering station of the period. The helm is fitted with a wooden spindle attached to the steering gear. Turning the wheel to the left or right actuates the rudder in the appropriate direction! If the realism of this presentation were not enough, the entire model is mounted to a beautifully constructed dockyard cradle complete with hull supports making for a realistic stand. This exceptional model measures 40 1/2 inches long overall by 13 1/2 inches wide at the mains'l yard and 29 inches tall. Condition is nothing short of perfect. All surfaces retain their original old paint. The fine, realistic rigging appears to be original and is in a sound, outstanding state of preservation. A nicer folk art model of its type is not to be found!


DETAIL	STERN	HELM	BOW DETAIL


MECHANISM	ARBORHOLE	DOCKYARD DETAIL	DATE

2.19 DOCKYARD MODEL. Authentic mid-19th C. cased shipyard builder's half hull model of the 3-masted sailing ship VERBENA built by "Wm Pickersgill & Sons, Sunderland," England as identified in hand-painted lettering below the bow. This exceptional model exhibits all of the detail and quality expected of an "owner's model" as built by the shipyard that produced the actual ship. Fine, fancy original glazed hardwood case measuring 85 inches long, 17 1/2 inches high and 9 inches deep overall. The model itself measures 70 1/2 inches long from stern to bowsprit. Circa 1856. Immaculate condition throughout. Certainly worthy of the finest museum!

"Lloyd's Register of Shipping" Volume 1871 lists the VERBENA as a wooden hull bark of 260 feet in length, displacing 466 tons net. She was built in Sunderland in 1856 and operated by J. Whitfield of Sunderland.

In a publication entitled "Sunderland Builds Ships," 1989, Tyne and Wear Archive Service, City of Sunderland, England, William Pickersgill is identified as one of the prominent Wearside (River Wear) shipbuilding firms from 1847-1936.


STERN	MIDSHIPS	BOW


FOC'SLE	LIFEBOAT	BOW DETAIL


STATISTICS	SIGNATURE

2.99 CASED MODEL. Charming, really nice sailor folk art model of the famous battleship U.S.S. TEXAS as prominently engraved on the large brass name plate and on both sides of the vessel's bow. This near scale, solid hull wooden model is entirely hand made from wood and brass with many intricate details not typically found on such models. For example all of the lifelines are made of drilled brass rods. The gun barrels are tapered and drilled brass. The scores of portholes depicted in the hull are drilled and rimmed with brass. All of the other fittings and the superstructure itself are either carved wood or hand-worked brass! This model is in its original battleship gray paint with black boot topping. The paint has alligatored with age and now exhibits a great old surface. The wooden decks in natural finish have also acquired a rich age patina. The ship itself measures 35 1/2 inches long by 14 inches high and 6 1/2 inches wide at the widest. It is mounted on its original solid mahogany display stand in original black paint with cloth bottom and measures 38 inches long by 9 inches wide. The stand is overlaid by the glazed oak case which measures 40 1/2 inches long by 16 1/2 inches high and 11 1/4 inches wide. Excellent overall condition.

The USS TEXAS (BB-35) was the second battleship to bear the state's name and the second New York class battleship to be built. Laid down on April 17, 1911 by the Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co. in Virginia, she was launched on May 18, 1912 and commissioned on March 12, 1914. She was one of only a few capital ships to serve in both World Wars.
    Immediately after her commissioning TEXAS was dispatched by President Wilson to deal with a conflict in Mexico. Finally, in December, she left Mexican waters to join the Atlantic Fleet.
    The use of unrestricted submarine warfare by the Central Powers in the Atlantic dragged America into the war in Europe in 1917. TEXAS served in the Grand Fleet by providing convoy escorts to troopships as well as helping the British to blockade the enemy in the North Sea.
    Following overhaul in late 1918 TEXAS resumed duty with the Atlantic Fleet. On March 9, 1919 she became the first American ship to launch an airplane.
    Early in 1925 TEXAS entered the Norfolk Navy Yard for "modernization" to replace her cage masts with a single tripod foremast and to upgrade her gunfire control system.
    In the intervening years leading up to World War II TEXAS saw duty in the the Pacific and Atlantic theaters, serving as the flagship of the entire United States Navy Fleet.
    Upon America's entry into World War II TEXAS saw her first combat in "Operation Torch" during the invasion of North Africa in 1942 by providing shore bombardment and naval gunfire support.
    Throughout 1943 and into 1944 the veteran battleship carried out her familiar role as a convoy escort.

    On the morning of June 6, 1944 TEXAS provided shore bombardment prior to the D-Day assault on the coast of Normandy, France.
    On the morning of June 25 TEXAS, in company with the Battleship ARKANSAS, began shelling shore fortifications and batteries surrounding the German-held port of Cherbourg. In the exchange TEXAS lost her navigation bridge and the forward fire control tower with one man killed and several wounded.
    After undergoing temporary repairs in Plymouth, England TEXAS again entered the fray, this time to engage shore batteries in the pre-landing assault of St. Tropez, France. That mission completed, she departed 2 days later for her home port of New York.
    Upon arrival TEXAS underwent a major overhaul which included replacement of the barrels in her main batteries.
    TEXAS departed New York in November 1944 bound for the Pacific theater via the Panama Canal. She arrived off of Iwo Jima on February 16, 1945 where she spent the next two weeks in a gunfire support role during that infamous battle.
    Next she steamed into Philippine waters where she spent nearly 2 months providing gunfire support for various Allied landings. During that time she endured many Kamikaze attacks, recording one kill and three assists. TEXAS stayed in the Philippines until the Japanese surrender on August 15th. She received 5 battle stars for her World War II service.
    TEXAS was decommissioned on April 28,1948 as she was turned over to the state of Texas as a permanent memorial. Today she remains in San Jacinto State Park, near Houston.

The fact that this model depicts TEXAS with her post-1925 tripod mast, but with her side-mounted 5 inches guns (removed prior to 1930) clearly indicates that the model dates to 1925, certainly no later than 1930!


IN CASE	REVERSE	U.S.S. TEXAS


FORWARD	AMIDSHIPS	AFT	STERN