Picket Boat No. 1, Model Shipways, 1:30

[Carleroo]

This is the 1:30 scale model of a US Navy Picket Boat. During the Civil War, this boat sank a Confederate ship using a torpedo. The torpedo was not self-propelled, as the technology was not yet available, but rather it was an explosive charge attached to a long pole. The "torpedo boat" would try and get close to the enemy ship, release the torpedo charge close to or attached to the hull and then would yank a long cord which would detonate the charge. In this case it was a suicide mission, as the torpedo not only sank the enemy ship, but the torpedo boat as well! I have made a number of improvements and additions to the model, including tools for the howitzer, ammunition boxes, and a miniature (home made) carbine modelled after the Sharps & Hankins carbine which was issued to US Navy ships at the time. I also added my own planking for the decks using leftover strips from other projects.

 

[fourseas]

Nice looking model with an interesting history.

 

[USNChief]

Very well done and it looks like it would be a fun one to build!

 

[SloopJonS]

Congratulations! An absolutely beautiful construction with excellent aging of the model, down to the last detail! I really enjoyed the pictures. Thank you for sharing it.

 

[Carleroo]

Thanks for the positive comments. It was fun to build. Correction: this is a 1:24 scale, not 1:30 as I originally indicated.

 

[danielsje]

Awesome and a timely post. I have the kit sitting on the shipyard shelf. This post will serve as an inspiration for my build. Thanks!

 

[Drobbs]

I built this model a few years ago, but I like yours better. Nice work and great details.

 

[shota70]

Congratulations!
An beautiful model & model

 

[MisterCA]

Nice Job! I love the graphics on the box's of ammo.

 

[Carleroo]

Nice Job! I love the graphics on the box's of ammo.

Thanks!

 

[Jack Jäger]

Great build, congratulations.

Cheers JJ

 

[Magic Mike]

Way to go Carleroo, nicely done model! Great detail! Magic Mike

 

[TexBilly]

Very nice attention to detailing, and so realistic. Well done!

 

[Kilo66]

That, shipmate, is truly museum quality modelling at its very best. Thank you so much for sharing your efforts. It was particularly attractive to me since I have been a student of the American Civil War since my childhood. I hope you won't mind terribly if I append the story of the action in which this little
man-o-war earned a place in naval history.
Article Link: https://www.history.navy.mil/resear...ort-of-lieutenant-william-barker-cushing.html

 

[James Vinski]

Excellent model building and detailing.
By the way:
William's brother, Alonzo Cushing, was an artillery officer for the Union Army of the Potomac. During the Battle of Gettysburg he was in Battery A, 4th United States Artillery Battery ['regular" U.S. Army artillery, as opposed to the many state raised units]. On the third day of battle, 3 July 1863, although severly wounded, Lt. Cushing continued to helped service his men and cannons, finally receiving a fatal would after firing a piece at the approaching Confederate infantry in what is now known as Pickett's Charge. The wounds proved fatal. He was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. While William did not receive that honor, he received the thanks of the Congress.