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A FREE PAPER MODEL TO DOWNLOAD AND CONSTRUCT

SCALE 1/250

Paddle Steam Ferry

COMMODORE PERRY
USS Commodore Perry was one of many ferries and other civilian craft that were
converted to serve in the Union Navy. In late 1861 it was rebuilt into a gunboat,
carrying heavy cannons on the open decks. That armourplating had been added to the
sides is evident from contemporary photographs. In this model the ship appears like
it did in1864, assigned to the squadron that watched the James River. A spar torpedo
points from the bow. In the Library of Congress digital collection another ferry
carries the same name. Did the librarians mix them up, or was there actually two
ships carrying the same name? Perhaps this one is the misnamed?

Commodore Matthew Perry, 1794-

1858, sailed a powerful squadron
to Japan, bullying it to accept the
treaty of Kanawaga, ending a
longtime isolation. Nameing
a gunboat "Perry" made use of his
popularity in the USA.
30 Walking beam
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THE SYMBOLS

Mountainfold 33 Number of parts Part to be rolled

Valleyfold 37 Location of parts Optional part

Towards the bow Double and cut out Space to remove

AN AUTHENTIC PHOTOGRAPH OF THE SHIP

The USS Commodore Perry was built a civilan ship, a

New York paddle steam ferry, by Stack and Joyce of
Wiliamsburg, but was to serve almost the entire war.
Ferryboats did hardly have a naval look, but was a
preferred vessel due to the open and stable decks
that could carry heavy guns. The Commodore Perry was
much used in battle during the conflict, taking part in a
large number of operations along the western seaboard
of the Confederacy. In 1864, until the end of the war
Commodore Perry patrolled James River, during this
period the photograph to the left was taken. Many of the
small parts of this model reproduce the details in this,
image, like the chicken cages kept on upper deck. The
ship had a length of 143 ft, a beam of 33 ft and carried
4-5 heavy guns and a howitzer.

NUMBERS AND NAMES OF THE PARTS

1 Hull base 29 Galley chimney 46 Anchors and chains

2 Hull spine 30 Storage 47 9" guns
3-14 Hull formers 31 Ladders 48 Mobile howitzer
15 Foredeck 32 Bollards 49 Davits
16 Aft deck 33 Paddle wheels 50 Ship´s boats
17 Hatches 34 Bulwarks, foredeck 51 Chicken cage
18 Round shots 35 Bulwarks, aft 52 Buckets
19 Deckshouse sidings 36 Lining of ship´s sides 53 Crew
20 Hull 37 Walking beam 54 Captain
21 Deckhouse top 38 Main supporting beam, fore 55 Flags
22 Paddlebox, portside 39 Main supporting beam, aft 56 Coils of rope
23 Paddlebox, starboard 40 Fore mast
24 Funnel 41 Main mast
25 Steampipes 42 Flag poles
26 Pilothouse, fore 43 Rolled up awnings
27 Pilothouse aft 44 Torpedo
28 Lantern 45 Derric

THE FRAME OF THE MODEL

13a-b

6a-b 8
7
4
3 14a-b

5
1 2

All rights reserved. Copyright © 2012 SnM Publications. This material not to be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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HOW TO BUILD THIS PAPER MODEL

The tools needed for papermodeling are simple: a scissor for cutting, a scalpel for small details, ruler and a
pointed object, perhaps a nail to score pieces that are to be folded. A tweezer will be useful. White glue is
recommended, leaving no spots, however a non-waterbased product is to be preferred when glueing the spine
of the ship, since water may cause warping. All parts that are to be cylindric, masts, vents or gun pipes, should
first be softned by careful and repeated rolling, otherwise the paper will crack. When building this model,
always follow the numbers of the parts and glue them in that order. Start with the base and spine of the ship.
Let the construction dry to gain some strength before continuing with the main deck. Some parts are to be
doubled, score them, glue and fold into one piece.

30 a b

c
c
24

e i
40
41
42
44c

35 43 47 31 28 24 20 49 51 38 37 29 26 34 45 46 44b 44a

18 17 17c
48
46b
ooooooo
ooooooo

25a

25b
ooooooo

ooooooo

30
32

INSTRUCTIONS

Assemble the frame of the ship (2-14) on top of base (1) and let the glue set. The inked parts (6a, 9a) are to
face outwards. Add the decks (15, 16) to the frame and take care to curve softly both parts before assembly.
Mount the cargo hatches fore and aft (17), then add the loose covers (17c) and the shot racks (18). The sides
of the deckhouse are made up of part 19a-d, carefully aligne it with the formers on each side (13a-b and 14a-b).
The hull (20) is in one piece and should be carefully formed before being glued to the frame of the ship. The
top of the deckhouse (21) also takes careful rounding before adding it to the frame. The paddle box top
comes next (22-23). Funnel with steampipes (24-25) is the followed by the pilot houses (26-27). When moun-
ting the bulwarks (34-35), check the symmetry of the hull. On the cover is a photograph that shows the assem-
bly. Finally add the piece (37) that runs along the side from for to aft.The walking beam (30) is made up of
many small parts, so study the drawings. The four supporting beams (38-39) also takes some extra care to
get straight, in the right angle and well fixed. Now the ship is almost ready for action, after adding the guns
ofcourse. The ship´s boats may be omitted, they are seldom present in contemporary photographs.

All rights reserved. Copyright © 2012 SnM Publications. This material not to be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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2a
1
1

3
13a 13b

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17 17

5
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8 8
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3
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2b 8

2c 2b-c 5

4
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9ab

7 7
10

10

11 9b
11

8 8
11
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9a
12
6b

14a 14b
7 6a

33a

33b
8 9c

All rights reserved. Copyright © 2012 SnM Publications. This material not to be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
 23b ooooooo

23
ooooooo
20
2
21a
23a

24b

21b
24a

17a 24d
17b 21a 21b 25a 25b 26a 26b

19 17c
21c

24
ooooooo ooooooo

23c 22b

22c

22a

22e

23d
22f
22d

20b

43

18a

1b

17d
18b

21d 19b

All rights reserved. Copyright © 2012 SnM Publications. This material not to be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
38a
38b
30a 30c
30b 3
39b
30d

30e 30f 30g

39a

30h 44a

42 43
40 41

47b 47c

43 44b 44c

51

52

55

47a

46b 46a 45

48a 48b 48c 53 54

49

50a 50c 50b 50a 50c 50b

56
50a 50c 50b 50a 50c 50b

All rights reserved. Copyright © 2012 SnM Publications. This material not to be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.