The American Marine Model Gallery
Model: Scott Chambers, CORONET
Grand Victorian
Schooner Yacht Designed by C. & R. Poillon, William Townsend, Christopher
Crosby. Built in 1885 by C. & R. Poillon, Brooklyn New York. Waterline
lift hull construction of basswood and mahogany. Natural
finish bottom of mahogany with basswood hand-painted topsides, per original
color scheme and mounted on a cherry backboard.
1/4”
Scale, Class A/Special, backboard: 42 1/2” L x 11 3/8” H
Price: $2,500
SCOTT D. CHAMBERS (1949 - )
Born in 1949, Scott grew up on the west coast, and graduated with a BA in Business from Central Washington State University. Boatbuilding had been a tradition in the Chambers family for over 120 years and Scott was drawn to following this tradition by creating half-hulls since 1973. Since 1790, it has been customary for shipwrights to fashion a half-model of a ship before construction. Handcrafted forms similar to these enabled the builder to study and perfect hull design before a complete set of plans were drawn. These models were not only functional but were often used to adorn the walls of shipyard offices.
He shapes the hulls using only hand tools of various laminated layers or “lifts” that make up the half-hull. Templates are made from plans and precisely fitted at a series of points along the hull. The process is time consuming, but is needed to duplicate the ship’s true hull contour. After the half-hull is finish sanded, several coats of enamel are applied. The hull is then mounted on a finished oak plaque and an engraved brass plate is attached denoting the vessel’s name, scale, building date, etc. “The plans that I have accumulated are all that remain of many of these vessels. I hope that this form of art may help preserve this nation’s rich maritime heritage.”
His pieces can be seen at numerous east & west coast yacht clubs, the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts, and in various restaurants throughout the United States. The American Marine Model Gallery is pleased to be representing his work.