CSN picket boat with howitzer

[ct ertz]

In the downloads!


This is a relatively simple model in 1-72 scale, of a Confederate Navy Picket boat. These small boats were used by the Confederate Navy to alert docked ships and harbor forts of coming attacks by the Union fleets. By 1864, these boats were being armed with spar torpedoes as well as boat howitzers, making them a threat to any ship. It is interesting to note that by that same year, Union Navy commanders were also pushing the idea of small torpedo armed boats being used in mass to combat Confederate river ironclads. (a steam launch version commanded by Lt. Cushing, USN, sank the powerful Confederate river ironclad Albemeral in 1864, attracting the attention of every navy commander)

This 27 foot long boat is a converted civilian craft, armed with a pr-war bronze Dahlgren 12 pound boat howitzer. The kit includes all of the printed parts needed to make a reasonable representation of the craft, including a rudder, slide carriage for the boat gun, and 10 foot long "Sweeps" or oars. I added a short mast made of wood (a round toothpick), and rope made of thread. Not all of the picket boats had masts, so this is an option. The boat hull consists of a one piece "wrap' forming the sides, the transom, floor boards, and benches. There is no stand in the print out, but as you can see one is easily made from scrap card stock.


Enjoy,
CT

[Paperwarrior]

Corey,

I just downloaded this...thanks. This looks like a great kit. Again, a unique subject and you've brought it to us. Much appreciated.

I like the use of the 12 pounder Dahlgren. Usually, when folks think of the Dahlgren they think of the massive guns mounted in the Union ironclads and frigates, but Dahlgrens also came in these smaller sizes for just this purpose.

Now if we can just fine 1/72nd Scale American Civil War sailors.

[ct ertz]

Thanks,
Pick up a box of Confederate infantry and do CS Marines. The cut of the uniforms were identical between the Marines and Infantry.

It is interesting to see that in period drawings that many Confederate ironclads had boat howitzers mounted on slide carriages and in period photographs many monitors had an assemble boat howitzer on a field carriage. It is likely that these little guns saw a lot more action then we may realize. Even some Army units, Infantry and Artillery, used boat howitzers when they could get them. When I get some time I will finish the 1-16th scale boat howitzer on a field carriage that I started to design.

CT

[Paperwarrior]

Corey,

You hit the nail on the head. These howitzers were well loved by the crews. As you stated at the beginning of this thread "Union Navy commanders were also pushing the idea of small torpedo armed boats being used in mass to combat Confederate river ironclads. (a steam launch version commanded by Lt. Cushing, USN, sank the powerful Confederate river ironclad Albemeral in 1864, attracting the attention of every navy commander)" Well, it is hard to hit a small boat like this with a massive 11" or 15" Dahlgren. It was much easier to take those little boats out with a 12 pound howitzer. At close range with a load of grape shot...Wow. Imagine a Shot gun with a 6 inch bore. ...not pretty.
Anyway, Thanks again for this great little subject.

[Wyvern]

Another great model, Corey!

Wyvern

[rmks2000]

Corey

Thanks for making this little gem!

Bob

[Royaloakmin]

Corey, just one small thing...no self respecting CSN bosun would allow the gun to be tarnished A nice little model.

[ct ertz]

Yap, I thought about that, but the gold, yellow and other colors just didn't look good either. So picture this as after action coming back to port/parent ship, but before clean up. Salt air and black powder soot makes quick work of shiny bronze.

I would like to figure out how to get metals to look like metal though.

CT

[Royaloakmin]

Agree. I don't know a really good way to get the metallic look, either. Even paint tends to look grainy.