BETSY ANN
"Building the Str. "BETSY ANN"

This boat is modeled after the "Betsy Ann", built for Rufus Learned. Built 1899, finally dismantled 1940.

This is a long history for a steamboat, and was quite probably made possible by the vast amount of river navigational knowledge that was accrued during the 1800's.

Also, dredging of the river, navigational lighting, channel markers, search lights, and improved rip-rapping and levee systems enabled steamboats to be operated with signifigantly improved safety from grounding and collision.

This sternwheeler was of a smaller design than many Mississippi steamboats. On the order of the "Oleander", probably around 160 ft. Still a considerable boat.

I count 14 bays along first deck and the same on the Texas deck. These are on the same centers and moved inward approximately 4 ft. Six of the bays are reinforced with doublers. Only the fore sections are fully guarded with rails.

The Texas deck is skirted with picket fence and handrail type bannister. Third deck does not apperar to have railing, only calf high toe rail.

Two smoke stacks, two steam pipes, two (laundry kitchen) stove stacks. Barrels on third deck aft. Chair amidship, five windows in stern wall.

Steamboats were constructed to shed water from all decks, in the event of rain, wind induced spray, as well as for ease of washing the decks. Looking at pictures one can see the domed and bowed shape of the decks, and too, the open-toed nature of each deck floor.

Approximate Dimensions of the Str. "Betsy Ann":

Scale
Length: 165 ft (41 inches)
Width: 48 ft (16 inches)

Deck Heights:

First deck height: 12 ft. (3 in.)
Width: 26 ft (6 1/2 in.)

Texas deck Height: 10 ft. (2 1/2 in.)
Width: 26 ft (6 1/2 in.)

Third deck height: 10 ft. (2 1/2 in.)
Width: 12 (3 in.)

Pilot House height 12 ft. (3 in.)
Width: 12

Wheel Characteristics:

Number of Bays: 3
Number of Blades: 18
Blade height: 2 ft (1/2 in.)
Double blades (two 2x12's)
Blade separation: 20 degrees
Wheel Diameter 24 ft (6 in.)
Wheel width 24 ft (6 in.)
Six circumferential bracings looks like 2x6's
General dimensions:

Smoke Stack height above third deck 32 - 36 ft. (9 in.)
Feathers 4 ft (1 in.)
Fore boom stanchions height from first deck 40 ft. (10 in.)

This boat would have served its owner as a plantation packet boat, carrying cotton, oil, meal, down river to larger ports. The boat would also have seen duty for southern hospitality for the owner and my have done some passenger service in later years. Notice the rain flaps on the fore decks, and pen style guard rails, possibly for animals, as well as passengers.


BETSY ANN

Operational unfinished model
"See this boat on the water!"