The U.S.S. Confederacy

Hi, 

that was an interesting read.  Thanks for posting.

Pat

Interesting.  Seems she was short lived according to Wiki

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Confederacy_(1778)

Great post, Jim!

Along with the Rattlesnake, my sentimental favorite Revolutionary-era ship(s)!

Interesting story; I had never heard of her before.

I wonder how much of a relationship there is in her design and those of the frigates built later, after independence, for the US Navy. 

Provisions for oars were actually pretty common for the "less-than" 6th rate Frigates in the 33-44 gun dimensions.

Once you get to the size of the "American 44s" like Constitution, then oars are just no longer practiable.  The ships are just too big.  (Which is why Constitution fampously put all her boats over the side to tow her out of harm's way when becalmed.)

Model Shipways offers a kit of her as an Admiralty model.  

scottrc, I looked up that Model Shipways kit. I have a question about it that I hope someone has an answer. Their other kits are mainly in the range of $150 to $200 for a full kit with masts and rigging. The Confederacy is around $700 and it's an Admiralty model minus the masts and rigging. It's the same scale as the Rattlesnake so my question is "Does anyone know why the large difference in price"?

I was thinking about building it but the price really seems unusually high. I've never built an Admiralty model. Is there a large difference in the amount of detail in the kit? I glanced through some of the you tube videos on building her and it seems to be normal careful building techniques with the exception of the below decks being shown on one side.

Haven't looked up the history of the ship yet but have noticed that some kits are labeled USS and some are USF. I guess the question for that would be where or when they were used.

Jim 

Stay Safe.

She was HMS as well

Admiralty models were built by the designers of the ship so that the King and his higher ups could approve the design.  Rarely did they include much more than the lower mast, as rigging was really up to the Captain and crew.  It contains ALL of the framing for the ship.  It is NOT just a plank on bulkhead style.  There are a LOT of timbers to build a ship, and all are included in an Admiralty model.  Most often, only one side and half of the decks are planked so that you can see all the timbers.

Hence the increase in price.

Bob

As much as I used to like doing sailing ships, this one seems to be a interesting build but as the same time a nightmare to do.  If I had the money and the sight to do it I more than likely give it a try.

I remember there was a diorama of some people back then looking over one of those type of models as they were deciding if they would order it to be built.

ikar01

...I remember there was a diorama of some people back then looking over one of those type of models as they were deciding if they would order it to be built. 

Might you be thinking of "The Meeting of the Admiralty Board" box diorama by the great Shep Paine:

https://www.boxdioramas.com/sheperd-paine (need to scroll down a little)

Old Phoenix Model Developments figures and diorama accessories, scratchbuilt details, and the Admiralty model kitbashed from a Valiant 1/1200 wargame model.

The MS kit is an advanced level kit.  The price fluctuates to about half when it goes on sale.  There are a few good build logs on the MSW site.  

Watched a few of those build logs today. Wow, there was a lot of stuff in the MS box. Don't think there was anything in the build that I couldn't handle but it would take quite a while to complete. Would really like to give it a try but the price is way too steep even if it goes on sale at 1/2 the price. The Rattlesnake is "somewhat similar" and a lot less expensive. Guess I'll have to give this a lot of thought.

Jim 

Stay Safe. 

MS Rattlesnake kit would be a much better deal for what it sounds like your looking for.