Towboat AMERICA - Wood Model Collectible

Rare in the collectible world of steamboats are sidewheel models that depict the early American towboats of the 19th century. AMERICA was one such vessel that I researched and found to be an interesting build with an interesting history.

AMERICA was built in 1852 for service between New york City and Albany, New York. She was considered to be the third largest towsteamer to operate on the Hudson River at that time -built for steamboat captain Samuel B. Schuyler for his Schuyler Line of towboats.

It was the painting by famed marine artist James Bard that inspired this model. The painting hung in the East Wing of the Albany Institute of History and Art during the mid 60s when I attended classes as an art student. Twenty years later I designed my first set of plans on this beautiful 'workhorse' of the river.

For further reading visit Hudson River Model Steamboats.

Attached Thumbnails