A hole is bored exactly in the middle of each wheel a little larger than the wire of a shingle nail, which is used to hold them in place on the base.
A small piece of 1/4" dowel about 2-1/4" long, is inserted in a hole, bored with a 1/4" bit, 3/4" from the bow. This is the flagstaff, and just in front of this is placed a small screw eye to attach the string for pulling the toy. Give the entire toy two coats of black paint.
[THE MERRIMAC.]
The Confederate Ironclad is a little harder to make than the Monitor, but it is well within the ability of a sixth grade boy.
The hull is made 1/2" × 5-1/4" × 14", and is sawed to a point at the bow and stern, sloping from the center point of both ends to points 3-1/4" from either end.
The upper works are made from a block of wood 1-3/4" thick, 4-1/2" wide and 7-1/2" long. This is beveled so that the top is 3-1/4" × 6-1/4".
The two smokestacks are made from pieces of 3/4" dowel, cut 3-1/4" long and inserted in holes bored 1/2" deep, 1" from the sides of the upper deck and 3-1/8" from the ends. These are held in place with glue.
The flagstaff is cut from a piece of 1/4" dowel, 2-3/8" long, inserted in a hole, bored with a 1/4" bit, 3/4" from the bow.
Just in front of this, 1/4" from the end, is placed a small screw-eye to which a string may be attached.