New Bedord Whaleboat, c. 1850 -1870

Model Shipways - Plank-on-Frame Kit

From 1720 to 1920 nearly 60,000 whaleboats were consumed by the American whaling industry. With a useful life of no more than three years, whaleboats were discarded on the spot throughout the coastal U.S. and around the world. Remarkably, only a dozen or two have survived to become part of today's museum collections.

In 1916, the Dartmouth Historical Society commissioned the building of a half sized model of the bark LAGODA. Local whaleboat builder Joshua Delano was retained to build the seven half-sized model whaleboats needed for the project. Delano built these models according to the design of the full-sized boats he had built for the whaling industry for more than forty years.

Whaling historian Erik A.R. Ronnberg, Jr. made a thorough study of Delano’s half-sized boats in order to produce this kit of a uniquely American working craft.

You'll follow the original plank-on-frame method of construction in building your Model Shipways kit. Hull planks, oar and paddle blades, tubs, casks and rudder are accurately laser cut basswood. Authentic scale whaling gear gives this kit remarkable detail. Photo-etched copper fittings include harpoon, lance and cutting spade heads, knife blades, oarlocks and mast hinge hardware.

KIT FEATURES
• Authentic plank-on-frame construction duplicates original construction techniques
• Laser cut basswood components
• Photo-etched copper fittings include harpoon, lance and cutting spade heads, knife blades, oarlocks and mast hinge hardware
• Cast Britannia compass bowl and bomb lance gun
• Sailcloth & three diameters rigging line
• Six sheets of precise, highly detailed plans
• 150-page illustrated instruction book

Our Model Shipways New Bedord Whaleboat kit is supported by a superb set (6 sheets) of plans and a 150 page instruction book by Erik A.R. Ronnberg, Jr. The book, To Build a Whaleboat, gives you step-by-step building instructions, design and technical data. (Display base and pedestals not included.)

Length 600mm 

Height 102mm

Scale 1:16

Difficulty Rating: Advanced Level