Fall River Line Stmr. PRISCILLA c.1894 -The Model

                        PRISCILLA surprised skeptics by passing through the Cape Cod
                        Canal, June 1937 - the widest vessel of any type to accomplish this.

Some years ago a Catholic priest from Saint Joseph's Parish at Fall River, MA contacted me and asked if I was able to build an exact replica of the Fall River Line stmr. COMMONWEALTH.

His request was the beginning of a new line of steamboats
-a series of beautiful nightboats that operated on Long Island Sound from Fall River, Massachusetts to New York City, New York.

PRISCILLA was a complicated vessel to model. Few builders of my time had the ability to do this, but with this
particular line I challenged myself to be the 'first'.

With the photo-prints Fr. Paul McCarrick supplied, it eased both the intimidation and tension I faced when approaching this endeavor.

In the words of naval architect-designer George Peirce to Commander Stephen Gardner: "Why Captain, the MARY POWELL -Fletcher built her engines, you know...and she's run on the Hudson River for thirty-two years, and she's good for many more. Our new steamboat is to be the 'Mary Powell' of Long Island Sound!"

"I see you're not aiming to joke, Mr. Peirce",replied Cmdr. Gardner.

PRISCILLA was, indeed, to become the 'Mary Powell' of the Sound...and it was then, when I read that piece of literature from Roger McAdam's book "Priscilla of Fall River", I knew I had to build this model. For the men of that day, PRISCILLA became a monumental endeavor. She was to be a state-of-the-art sidewheeler that would awe many in the year of 1894.

Built at Chester, PA by the Delaware Shipbuilding and Engine Works, she became the world's largest sidewheeler -having an unprecedented career. She was the acknowledged queen of the great ships that serviced the Line.

                     Fall River Line steamer PRISCILLA c.1894 - Detail, Stern Starboard

The 440 foot steamboat was the masterpiece of famed naval architect George Peirce -a magnificent vessel, the finet to sail on inland waters. Because of her beauty and dependability, the excellence of her service, and the romance and good will which attended her nightly trips, she was beloved by millions of Americans who knew her during the 43 years she sailed Long Island Sound. Because of the automobile and economic conditions, she ceased operations in 1937.

After reading several accounts on this majestic nightboat, I set out to get as much material I could so to build a presentable model. Size was the factor since space was limited, so I opted for a miniature work at 1:182 scale which calculated to 29 inches overall.

The challenging part of the build were the windows, doors and panel work. For the stern detail, I chose to draw 'free-hand' with handpainted application. I found that many serious collectors desired this over computerized templates.

                    Nightboat PRISCILLA -the custom model shown as she appeared in 1894.

As I proceeded with the model it was easy to appreciate what author Roger McAdam had revealed in his book.That this vessel was, indeed, a masterpiece which counter-balanced the miniature I produced. No distortions of any kind. Every bit of detail from hull to smokestacks came together to make a breathtaking artform that became the welcoming part of the build.
The designer knew that PRISCILLA would look extremely attractive as both model and sailing vessel.

PRISCILLA is presented here as a handcrafted work, produced in two basic woods, pine and bass. The davits are shaped from paper-clips. Flags were cut and handpainted on soft foil. The steel rods were produced from soft annealed wire. Overall, this was an interesting build...with many more models to follow in the New England Series".