Period Ship Modelmaking: An Illustrated Masterclass

VERY FINE COPY. Step-by-step, this ship modeler’s manual explains how to build a 1/16th scale model of the American privateer schooner Prince de Neufchatel. One of a new class of large, fast, and seaworthy schooners that first made their appearance in the War of 1812, the ship had a short but notoriously successful career that earned a permanent place in U.S. history. Written by the world-renowned ship modeler Philip Reed, the book explains how to build two versions of the schooner: a waterline model and a full-hull display model. The author’s selection of a relatively simple vessel will encourage even the less-experienced modeler to take on the challenge of a scratch-built hull. Beautifully illustrated throughout with hundreds of color photographs, the guide passes along a wealth of information that Reed has learned over the years to enable modelers of all skill levels to tackle all aspects of building a small fore-and-aft rigged vessel. Like his first book on sailing Men-of-War, this manual is certain to become a classic for ship modelers everywhere. pp. 128, illusts #160422

The Prince de Neufchatel was a fast sailing United States schooner-rigged privateer, built in New York by Adam and Noah Brown in approximately 1812. She is a fine example of the peak of development of the armed schooner. Neufchatel operated in mainly European waters, damaging British shipping during the War of 1812. Noted for her speed, at one time she outran seventeen men-of-war. In 1813, operating in the English channel, she took nine British prizes in quick succession. She also delivered a crushing defeat to the boats of a British frigate that tried to capture her. The British finally captured her in December 1814; she was broken up in 1815.
Her design is believed to be due to Christian Bergh. She had a hermaphrodite rig, i.e., she combined the rigs of a schooner and a brigantine. “She carried four sails on the foremast, one square sail on the main, and a large fore-and-aft sail with gaff abaft the fore, with large staysails over and three jibs. Her spanker boom projected far beyond the stern.”([3] Prince of Neuchatel[1])

On 28 December 1814, in the Atlantic, the three British frigates, Acasta, Leander, and Newcastle sighted her and began to pursue. Under the strain of the large sail area her masts sprung (many Baltimore clippers experienced problems due to their extremely large rigs). Not being able to outrun the British frigates, Prince de Neufchatel surrendered.[4] John Ordronaux was apparently not her captain at the time; her commander was Nicholas Millin.[5] At the time of her capture, Prince de Neufchatel was armed with 18 guns and had a crew of 129 men. She was eight days out of Boston.[6][a]