Mayflower Diagrams Article

Learning About Schooners Before Building a Schooner Ship Model

Before building a schooner ship model, it can be very rewarding
to learn about the actual boat and its history. That way, not
only will you have a beautiful model ship, but you will also be
able to tell about your schooner ship model. Schooners are tall,
graceful ships that have at least two masts, a mainmast and a
foremast (the mainmast is taller). The word “schoon” means to
move quickly and smoothly, and it shows in the graceful and
sleek look of the schooner.

The Dutch were the first to use schooners in the 16th or 17th
century. When so many Dutch came to the Americas, they brought
the making of the schooner with them, and most schooner
development took place in the Americas around and after the
American Revolution. Because they carried all kinds of cargo,
schooners were considered very versatile ships. When you build a
schooner ship model, it is possible to construct a model so
detailed as to include representations of cargo. Schooners
carried everything from fish, to slave, to apples, and to
lumber. The way schooners are designed enable them to work along
coasts, in lakes, and for ocean voyages.

Schooners were very important to early shipping in the United
States. Scow schooners, especially, were used to haul much the
same cargo that trucks deliver today. Other schooners were used
as fishing craft, pilot boats, and even as privateer vessels.
Today, however, most schooners are mainly pleasure craft or
school boats. There are also schooner races that enthusiasts can
enter. It is possible to charter a schooner for an outing or for
a reunion. Additionally, there are historical replicas of old
schooners, and these serve as living museums. When you construct
a schooner ship model, you are likely to build one model off of
an actual famous schooner, such as the Alma.

Even though most schooners have only two masts, it is possible
to have a schooner with more than two masts. Three-mast
schooners are called terns (these make an excellent and elegant
schooner ship model), and they were favorites among the Maritime
Provinces of Canada. Perhaps most impressive, however, are the
first six and seven foot schooners. They were built in 1900 and
1902, respectively. The Thomas L. Lawson was the seven-foot rig,
and it included 27 sails totally 43,000 square feet. Such a
schooner ship model, though difficult to build, would make an
excellent addition to any collection.