BALTIMORE STEAMBOATS by
W.C. Steuart Presented is a collection of scratch built Chesapeake Bay
steamer models that plied the waters of the “Bay” fromBaltimore ,Maryland to, Norfolk
Virginia from the late 1800’s until WW II. Each model is carefully handcrafted down to the last detail, and hand
colored. The ships are all built to scale, true to their design, and carry their names. The models are housed in a glazed
Pine case with the interior artfully painted to represent the sea and cloudy sky. On the case’s top is a summary of the
ships with details of their size, tonnage, construction, ownership and routes.All told, it is a highly attractive
and day boats returning. Since the steamer, “
presentation with special meaning to those interested in theChesapeake
region and steam ships. Titled “The 5 O’clock Parade“ the diorama depicts the Night boats leavingBaltimore ”, in 1813, nearly four hundred Chesapeake
Bay steamers operated by nearly seventy companies have madetheir home port. In the early 1900’s, sixty five steamers made regular runs from Baltimore to bay and river landings from Baltimore south. Baltimore ALL PHOTOS ARE TAKEN THROUGH THE GLASS AND ACCOUNT FOR SOME
LACK OF CLARITY. THERE ARE REFECTIONS WHICH SHOULD BE IGNORED
The ships
include back row, left to right:
1. “General Cadwallader” – 384 tons, 186 ft. x 20 ft. x 7.4 ft., iron steamer,
1845-19-,
Baltimore
and Philadelphia Steamboat Co., “Ericsson Line”, overnight runs to
, alternating with other steamers. Philadelphia 2. “
” – 317 tons, 133 ft x 24 ft x 8 ft., wooden steamer, 1884 – 1914, Wheeler Chesapeake Line, Baltimore Chesapeake
& Atlantic R.R., overnight topoints, alternating Eastern Shore
with other steamers.3. “Emma Giles” – 500 tons, 178 ft x 38.5 ft x 7.5 ft., wooden steamer, 1887 – 1938,
alternating daytime trips to Little
Choptank River, South, West andRhode and River , Annapolis
also to. Tolchester Steamboat Co. Tolchester Beach
Middle Row Left to Right:
4. “” 1968 tons, 252 ft x 46 ft x 9.3 ft., steel steamer, 1900– 1924, Chesapeake Steamship Augusta Co., overnight to
, alternating with other Norfolk
steamers.5. “
” , 1749 tons, 280 ft x 40 ft x 15 ft., iron steamer, 1887 – 1937, Baltimore Steam Packet Georgia Co., “Old Bay Line” overnight to
, Norfolk
alternating with other steamers.6.“
Baltimore ” 1414 tons, 223 ft x 36 ft x 22.2 ft., wooden steamer, 1885 –
1913,Chesapeake Steamship Co., “York River Line”
, overnight to York River with rail connecting to, Richmond
alternating with other steamers.
Front Row left to Right:
7. “Joppa” 607 tons, 190 ft x 31 ft x 9 ft., iron steamer, 1885 – 1921, Maryland Steamboat Co.,
, Maryland & Virginia Steamboat Co., Baltimore & Virginia Steamboat Co., overnight Delaware runs to
, Choptank River
alternating with other steamers.8.“Eastern Shore” 460 tons, 155 ft x 30 ft x 9.5 ft., iron steamer, Eastern Shore Steamboat Co.,
Baltimore, Chesapeake & Atlantic R. R., Baltimore
& Virginia Steamboat Co. ,two nights anda day run to Crisfield and lower
Eastern points, alternating with other steamers.
Shore9. “Anne Arundel” (now “Mohawk) 795 tons, 174 ft x 36 ft x 10.2
ft., steel steamer, 1904 —-Weems Line,
Maryland ,Delaware & Virginia Steamboat Co.,& Virginia Steamboat Baltimore Co., two nights and one day and three nights and two
days toPatuxent River , Potomac River and, Rappahannock River
alternating with other steamers. Western Shore Steamboat Co.,Potomac River,
Rappahannock and River . As “Mohawk”, Rock Creek Steamboat Co., Piankatank River to
. Fairview
As Tolchester Steamboat Co., to. Tolchester Beach 10.“ Petrel” 50 tons, 84 ft x 17 ft x 5 ft., wooden steamer, 1892 – 1921, Rock Creek Steamboat Co.,
twice daily to Rock and Stoney Creeks.
11. “Westmoreland” 847 tons, 200 ft x 32.3 ft x 12.5 ft., wooden steamer, 1883 – 1933,
WeemsLine,
Maryland ,Delaware & Virginia Steamboat Co., three day and two
night runs toPotomac and Rappahannock Rivers, alternating with other
steamers., Maryland
& Delaware Steamboat Co., and Virginia
Baltimore & Virginia Steamboat Co., twice daily to Love Point.
Left section of diorama
Center section
Right section
Left end of caseMETHOD OF CONSTRUCTION: As best as
we can determine without opening the case, the hulls are made from wood blocks and the superstructures are mainly paper with
hand inked detailing and coloring. The lifeboats are wood and the davits wire. Masts and flag staffs are wood. All come together
in a very handsome display of the Chesapeake Bay steamer activity at the turn of the 20th Century until the late 1930’s.
BAY STEAMER HISTORY: Since 1607,
when the first settlers arrived here,Chesapeake Bay has been a multifaceted engine
of American history and commerce. The body of inland tidal water between the bay cities ofNorfolk
and, was large enough to require some means of efficient Baltimore
transportation. Covering the long distances between North and South was first done by sailing craft, which later gave
rise to steamers which filled in the nooks and crannies of the bay’s geography. By the mid-19th century, the skies over
the bay were lined with dark smudges of smoke in all directions. Strong machines built to master rough seas while small enough
for small harbors. Many steamers had life spans that crossed whole eras in the Bay’s history. Some were drafted
into distinguished service in domestic and foreign wars. The steamers plied the Bay and its rivers with a feminine grace well
into the mid-20th century, when they were overtaken by the rush of modern times. The last steamer sailed into oblivion exactly
150 years after the first of them appeared inharbor. Baltimore
DIMENSIONS of LARGEST MODEL, GEORGIA:
LOA 6 1/2″ L x 1″ B x 2″ HACTUAL SIZE OF SHIP: 280′ LOA
40‘ BeamCASE: 27″ L x 9 3/4″ H x 8 1/2″ D at base
Weight 12.5 poundsCONDITION: The models are exceptional in all respects. Their rigging is taught, all the gear and fittings are in place
and nothing is broken or missing. The overall appearance of the model is quite remarkable and impressive. This is an
example where the object is much nicer looking than the photos indicate. The Pine wood case has
knots and some marks of age all of which add to its character.
You will not find a Model of early American steam ships, making this a fine addition
to any nautical collection.