In this period it was unusual to copper a wooden ship before launch, so it is doubtful that the Savannah was copper sheathed. Since her voyage occurred during a period of financial depression, it is probable that her bottom was "white" (tallow and verdigris).
The reconstruction described herein produced a plan for a model that complied to the fullest extent with all the known dimensions and descriptions of the Savannah that have yet been found. The result showed that the United States National Museum's old model could not be altered to agree with the known features of the Savannah and that a new model was therefore necessary. So that the new model would be comparable to other models of early American steamers, existing or intended, in the Watercraft Collection, it was constructed on the scale of one-quarter inch to the foot. The new model (figs. [2], [8], and [9]) is now on exhibition at the Smithsonian Institution.
Figure 8.—Stern-quarter view of the new model of the Savannah, showing one wheel partially folded and the iron frames for canvas wheel-boxes in place.
Figure 9.—Bow-quarter view of the new model of the Savannah, showing deck arrangement details.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Carl W. Mitman, Catalogue of the Watercraft Collection in the United States National Museum, U.S. National Museum Bulletin 127, 1923.