Took time out from my new build to test float the barge I am building for my push boat to give it a long awaited float test for leaks and to mark the waterline. First decent day this winter!

total scratch built on fibreglass hull 127cm x24 cm,11 months to build 6volt system brushed motor,3blade 35mm brass prop.

Just finished adding a crews quarters and pump engine house to the stern of my barge, then added the necessary bitts for stern pushing.

Checking for size comparison and scale! The barge is 50 inches long by 12 inches beam, will draw 2 inches light and 6 inches loaded. I plan on making it an oil tank barge with a swiveling boom and two deck houses aft for the pump engine and housing for crew.

Scratch building a barge for my tugboat Miss Doris to push. May deck it over to become a tank barge I used to push on the Delaware River. if
i do deck it over, I'll hinge the deck to make use of the space for my RC gear.

This ship was a lightship tender named "Coeur de Lion" that was armed and drafted into the Union during the civil war to counter blockade runners. This model is scratch built and is inspired by a paper model designed by Magnus Mörck. A sidewheel steamer equipped with the typical walking beam machinery, it was rebuilt to carry three guns. A line of iron plates along the gun wales added a measure of armoured protection. After the war it was returned to lightship service. On my model the paddles are independently driven, mainly because I have a Robbe Navy F14 transmitter with twin sticks. The walking beam is operated by a servo modified for continuous rotation. The original ship towed a barge that flew an observation balloon and could be described as the first 'aircraft carrier' the fifth picture shows the barge I have made - I hope one day to emulate the real thing by raising and lowering a suitable balloon. I have included some pictures of the rest of my paddle fleet.The 'Rachel Erin' is a freelance sternwheeler 'quarter wheeler' tug that uses a worm drive to the paddles. She does not steer well. The last ship is an enlarged version of Graham Goodchild's Santa Anna.

The model is the Dumas El Pedro 30 inches length, 12 inch beam, drawing 4 I inches, which should change with more ballast. My mates suggest a barge is necessary so I am attempting a scratch build with leftover ply from other projects. Comments welcome!

Built in 1970's by a modeller who died and sold on by his son a great boat that takes a bit of sailing. Not sure if a kit or scratch built and hopeing someone on here will know.

Thought you might appreciate these....Towing a 30 Ton barge with 30 Tons of metal in it at Ellesmere Port Boat Museum, 1996. Making an unofficial Record. (35 mm pics)

Albion on a windy day at Eaton Boating Lake, Norwich.
Also some larger Thames barges and a yacht from visitors from Brightlingsea.

all these boats are scratch built only thing purchased was brass tube for mounting on a base, all these would have made up workboats on board Nelsons ship HMS Victory.
from left to right yawl, cutter, longboat, pinnace, admiral barge

https://model-boats.com/media/np/s/200/1505992838https://model-boats.com/media/np/s/200/15059928https://model-boats.com/media/np/s/200/150599290374

All done
I am just waiting for the next fine day to give it a try out at the lake,
My next build is going to be a Thames Barge (last picture) the cardboard templates are cut ready to try then a friend is going to cut them in 6mm laser ply with his laser cutter