Modeling the Fall River Line PLYMOUTH c.1935

         
        Nightboat PLYMOUTH plies through Long Island Sound enroute to New York c.1930


PLYMOUTH was another beautiful sidewheeler of Fall River Line renown that I challenged myself to model. There were no plans available to work from, so I had to pour over many photos to get the configurations needed for an accurate miniature.

This was a tedious project because, unlike COMMONWEALTH, this steamer carried a unique design and mast system that required much research for accurately placing the ties in their proper locations -based on the photos.

Similiar to the other models, I kept PLYMOUTH at 1:182 scale  so that both viewer/ collector
could make distinctive comparisons to their
design and length variations.

Fall River had a beautiful monopoly of vessels forwhich I give honorable kudos to those individuals that designed them. For me, as a craftsman and modelshipbuilder, I can only present these as a documented collective body in miniature. To this end history does the rest.

Here, in these supporting photos are views of PLYMOUTH as a miniature wood model. The approximate time of build was one and a half months (45 days).

The model is shown as she appeared three years before she ceased operation from the Line. Like most steamers of her day, she had a balanced career. Not as famous as PRISCILLA or COMMONWEALTH, but she was the public's favorite by way of transportation.

                                        Detail View Amidship -PLYMOUTH c.1935

Concerning her history, PYLMOUTH was designed for winter service and did not carry a walkingbeam engine like her predecessors.

She was built in 1890 at Chester, Pennsylvania by the Delaware River Iron Shipbuilding and Engine Works Company. Her overall length was 366 feet and her beam over the guards was 87 feet. She carried a four-cylinder triple expansion engine built by W. and A. Fletcher of New York.


A single stack steamer, PLYMOUTH went into service November 6, 1890. Accidents were commonplace with steamboats during its heyday and PLYMOUTH's career was no exception.

She ran aground on Rose Island, Newport on June 18, 1894. On March 20th, 1903 she collided with Fall River Line's freighter CITY OF TAUNTON. And on March 27, 1906 she was destroyed by a spectacular night fire while at the Line's Repair Shops in Newport.
As officials surveyed the damages, they acknowledged that her hull was still serviceable and she was rebuilt at New York.

The 'new' PLYMOUTH had two fire resisting bulkheads and a sprinkler system throughout the vessel -years before it was law required.

The rebuilt ship was never able to maintain her original speed when first built. However, she was popular with the travelling publc
and was the favorite with many Line regulars. Her last trip was June 21, 1937. Towed to Baltimore she was scrapped the following year.

                     Fall River Line steamer PLYMOUTH scrapped at Baltimore c.1938

                Fall River Line PLYMOUTH c.1935, 1:182 Scale -Custom Wood Model

Information concerning a custom work for any of the Fall River Line steamers can be sent to Caseships@yahoo.com or via phone 1-774-757-7137.

Thanks for viewing.