Planning

In addition to being a world-renowned museum curator, historian and author, Howard I. Chapelle must have been a draftsman extraordinaire! Scores of his

These timbers are for the keel and keelson. They were the first pieces gathered for the boat.
In 2004, the first tangible evidence of a boat appeared in the side yard. Logger Joe Hull delivered white oak logs, and Sawyer Dick Plog cut these 7″ x 14″ x 20+ foot timbers. Two are for the keel and one for the keelson.

drawings grace his many books, and they are available, full-size, from the Smithsonian Institution for a very reasonable fee. My shop has a 39 foot by 14 foot open space. It didn’t take a lot of research to match one of Chapelle’s drawings to the space limitations of the shop. Lion is Plate I in “The American Fishing Schooners,” (Howard I. Chapelle, W. W. Norton & Co, Inc, 1973)

Models

In both “Schooners” and in “The National Watercraft Collection” (Chapelle, United States Government Printing Office, 1960), a very old fisherman-built model is described, designated Model # 19398 . Chapelle based his drawing of Lion on this model, supplemented by information from contemporary Custom House records.

The pages from “The National Watercraft Collection” which describe the Institution’s Model # 39198 provide much information about Lion‘s pedigree (see pp. 164-166 and 179-181.) Chapelle also gives a prominent narrative description of the model and vessel in “The American Fishing Schooners.” In both accounts, Chebacco boats represented by the model are described as fast and very seaworthy.

I had the privilege of seeing the Institution’s model in person. During a 2009 visit to the Smithsonian warehouse where the model is stored, I was allowed to take pictures, a few of which  are included in the gallery below.

At least two other models of Lion exist: one by well known model maker and historian Erik A. R. Ronnberg, Jr; and another by James Shoesmith which is now part of Mystic Seaport‘s collection. I was able to see Shoesmith’s model located in the Seaport’s storage facility. The Seaport also graciously provided a few excellent pictures of their model, which I have included below.

These models have all been inspirational for this project.

(NOTE: For latest work on the boat, check the Deck page.)

 

Click on any photo to enlarge and scroll through the gallery.

My photos of model # 19398 as she appeared in 2009. Visit courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution, NMAH/Transportation
She appears to have been refurbished. 2009 Visit courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution, NMAH/Transportation
In the photos I obtained from the Smithsonian archives, which I believe to have been taken in 1940 or earlier, she had no tiller, bilge pump or cuddy hatch. 2009 Visit courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution, NMAH/Transportation
She appears to have fresh paint, compared to the older photos, although it’s hard to tell for sure as the archived photos are in black and white. 2009 Visit courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution, NMAH/Transportation
James Shoesmith’s model. Courtesy of Mystic Seaport
James Shoesmith’s model. Courtesy of Mystic Seaport
James Shoesmith’s model. Courtesy of Mystic Seaport

Comments on either the website or the boat will be greatly appreciated. You can contact me (Mike Danesi) at [email protected].