Upon investigating steamboat models in and around New England, I discovered it was void of detailed models depicting the beauty and elegance of the New England sidewheeler. To this end, knowing such models were obsolete, especially those which commuted around the cape and islands, I decided to research and design plans for the execution of such vessels. The first was NANTUCKET followed by MARTHA'S VINEYARD, RIVER QUEEN, NOBSKA and several others. Presented here is my production of MARTHA'S VINEYARD, a rare wood model that is rarely seen in galleries and/or museums. She was built at the Lawrence and Folks Shipyard in Brooklyn, New York in 1871, proving to be a fast and swift boat during the first twenty years of service. She operated between Nantucket and the Mainland until 1910. After that time she was sold in 1913 to the Keansburg Steamboat Co. where she serviced excursions in and around New York City as the KEYPORT. Her career ended at New York's Battery Park on July 22, 1916. The build of this model is at 1:96 Scale. For more on these one of a kind models kindly visit these blogs www.artfixdaily.com/blogs/post/6995-investing-in-the-mode... - -a-rare-collectible To commission this, or any custom steamboat model, email [email protected] or call 1-774-757-7137 for details.

This overhead port view shows the intricate walking beam engine that rotated the paddlewheels. The Industrial Age of Europe and America was evident in these beautiful vessels. With so much history attached to them it's surprising many New England homes are absent of these vintage boats that their ancestors either owned, operated or serviced during the steamboating era. Some of these rare miniature collectibles can be seen at the grand Winnetu Oceanside Resort on Martha's Vineyard. Three models were acquired by this resort, including a diorama of the NANTUCKET.