Topic starter
29/04/2010 1:45 am
Hello all. This is my first time posting to this website. I was born in Natchez, MS and currently live in Atlanta, GA. My great grandfather, Robert McNeely, was a riverboat captain in Natchez. I've really enjoyed reading all your posts and seeing the pictures that have been uploaded.
I recently recovered a model of the Sprague that my great grandfather built in the late 1950's. I'm attaching pictures of it. It is about 4 ft long and 8 in high. It has a hardwood base, but much of it is made of balsa wood. My intent is to fix her up and donate her to a museum if they'll have it. I think I'll keep her looking old and therefore do not plan on repainting her or replacing the lettering. I do plan on repairing the posts on the top and the side, fixing some other minor damage, and replacing the 1950's Christmas tree lights inside her with new LED lights. I have downloaded about a dozen pictures from this website and others to help me out. One interesting thing I noticed is that in older photos her side "posts" are slanted toward the back, but in newer photos they are straight up-and-down. Since the model was built in the 50's, I plan on slanting them back. I'd be interested in hearing your ideas. Do you think I am on the right track or should I try something else?
There is a photo gallery in Natchez of all old photos around Natchez and one of the photos is of the Sprague, which is what gave me the idea of donating the model to them.
Thanks for reading my post and thanks for any suggestions. Lance
29/04/2010 8:14 pm
Hi Lance,
Thanks for sharing the story of your Grandfathers model of the SPRAGUE and the pictures. I'd recommend you find the model section of steamboats.org where you will find information on contacting Captain Alan Bates. Alan sells drawings for the SPRAGUE which would really help with your model restoration. I know I'd like to see pictures of her when you get done fixin' her up.
Aaron
29/04/2010 10:10 pm
If you haven't seen it, I'd also recommend Captain Bates' wonderful book the Steamboat Cyclopedium. He'd be happy to sell you a copy of it--well worth the price! Lots of wonderful hints for model builders--or just for enthusiasts, like myself!
03/05/2010 11:45 am
There is a nice historical booklet about the SPRAGUE, which was sold aboard the boat for many years in the souvenir shop. It is about 85 pages and is loaded with terrific photos and information. Check BookFinder.com: Search for New & Used Books, Textbooks, Out-of-Print and Rare Books and copies are usually available. The title is THE STEAMER SPRAGUE and it was published in 1960 by the Vicksburg Harbor Commission.
You could also contact The Old Court House Museum at Vicksburg. I know they have files about the boat, from the time it came to Vicksburg as a museum and showboat theatre in 1948 until it was destroyed by fire on April 15, 1974. The museum has a display of artifacts from the boat and a number of her capstans and other pieces are displayed in the new Catfish Row Park on the waterfront.
We have a fine model of the SPRAGUE, made by Mr. Keenon Coleman, on exhibit at the Howard Steamboat Museum. It was built from plans drawn by Capt. Alan Bates.
Good luck with your project!
03/05/2010 12:45 pm
You have a very fine example of folk art and it should be restored and preserved as that. However, it is not a museum-quality model.
The wooden posts are fenders that were suspended by ropes from the boiler deck. They protected the boat when it was moored alongside another boat, lock wall, wharfboat or pilings. When it they were not in use the lower ends were swung to the main deck, which explains why they slanted sometimes.
Topic starter
09/05/2010 2:03 am
Mr. Bates and everyone else,
Thanks for the replies. I will search for the book that was recommended. There is a photo gallery in Natchez that I am hoping would be interested in displaying the model.
And thanks for the explanation about the fenders. That would explain why they were not attached at the bottom on the model. I guess my great grandfather knew that they were supposed to swing and built them that way on the model on purpose.
Lance