| Located in Charleston, South Carolina, Cottage
Industry Models produces models of American Civil War era ships. William
J. Blackmore owns CIM and fabricates the master patterns. He does his own resin casting as
well as producing models on a commission basis for both museums and private collectors.
His wife, Judy, an accomplished modeler in her own right, comprises the labor force and
cheer leading squad. The
Ship
Designed by C.W. Whitney, a colleague of John Ericsson (designer of the ironclad U.S.S. Monitor), the USS
Keokuk represented a first step in the development of composite armor. It
was built at Underhill Ironworks, New York, and launched 6 December 1862. The ship’s
armament consisted of two 11’ Dahlgren guns placed in two non-rotating turrets.The
guns were mounted on carriages that swivelled on circular tracks embedded in the wood deck
within the turrets. During action off Charleston, S.C. in April 1863, Keokuk was hit 90
times and sank in shallow water.
USS Keokuk
Displacement: 677 tons
Dimensions: 159ft 6in long, 36ft beam, 8ft 6in draught
Armour: 4in thick iron strips with 1in space between, filled with wood |
The Model
The 1/96th scale resin hull is cast in upper and lower halves. The other resin
parts consist of two "trays" (forty parts in one and four in the other) and two
ship’s boats. The highly detailed resin parts were free of air bubbles and contained
only minimal flash. You will need to flat sand these rather thick trays, however, in order
to extract the resin parts. Do this by affixing wet-dry sandpaper to a flat surface and
moving the tray over it in a figure eight motion. When the tray’s resin base becomes
thin and translucent, extract the part. You will also need to remove and flush-sand the
vent sprues on the upper deck.
Bluejacket Ship Crafters manufactures the
Britannia alloy parts. There is no flash and only the barest minimum of cleanup. Alloy
parts consist of 2 Dahlgren guns, 2 gun carriages, 2 kedge anchors, 3 bits, 6 old style
davits, 24 oars and 36 double blocks. Gold Medal Models
produces the sheet of etched brass stanchions.
Other parts consist of a brass ship’s bell, 25 brass eyebolts, chain, plastic
roundhead rivets and assorted brass rods, aluminum tube, white plastic strips, steel rods
etc. The 15 page manual has all the information you’ll need to construct the USS Keokuk, and includes numerous diagrams and
photos.
Although not for the beginner, this model is of very high quality and builds into a
stunning replica. If you are interested in ships of the American Civil War and have some
experience with multi-media kits, you’ll be very happy with this beauty.
Price US $199.95 plus $10 S & H in the USA, other countries at cost.
Cottage
Industries
1632-B Ashley River Road
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 769-2352Phone
(843)763-7202 Fax
E-mail wjb@awod.com
Click thumbnail image
to view full size picture
Model constructed by William Blackmore
Forward tower |
Aft tower interior |
Forward tower interior |
Resin boats |
Chain, eyebolts, rivets |
11" Dahlgren guns |
Upper hull |
Alloy davits and oars |
Lower hull |
Screws and anchors |
Resin "tray" w/4 parts |
Resin "tray" w/40 parts |
Instructions |
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