James River and Kanawha Canal replica Freighter




May 22, 2018
The town contracted with Doug Hurr to build a freighter in the third boat slip.  The boat is very similar to the open deck freighter in the above picture. It is a small class open deck freighter and named the "Lizzie of Scottsville." The original Lizzie was a boat actually built in the local Tutwiler boat yard just down the street from the Canal Basin. Since no plans for the Lizzie were found the boat is our interpretation as described in the Tutweiler advertisment for the sale of his boat.  Doug and volunteers have built the boat and completed it on September 13, 2018.  Primary volunteers were Frank Sherwood, John Bowers, and Kit Decker.

Architect concept:  Courtesy of Thomas Morley


Construction Photos of the "Lizzie of Scottsville" replica
The hull is under construction.  Doug and Frank did all this work.  Note the port hull is leaning in at an angle so we have access to apply the siding.  It was very heavy as the siding is green rough sawn white oak.  We used a come along to assist in pulling the side back up so we could align both sides of the hull.
View from the stern  end.  Early construction of the hull sides.  Note the concrete tubes that formed aligned foundations for the hull. A trailer that hauled the lumber is parked temporarily inside the hull.  
Doug on the saw and Frank Sherwood assisting.  Decking for the bow is being applied here.
Frank observing Doug doing something.
All the deck joists have been installed and the next step is to install the main deck.
Doug and John have been installing deck in this photo taken on 8/3/18.
Kit Decker wrangling deck boards onto the boat so Doug and John can fasten them to the joists.
Doug fits the boards for length on the joists and then he and John secure them.  (I know.  Where is John?  He is taking the photos.)
8/4/18:  The sun finally came out so we stopped for the day as it was getting very hot and the humidity was also very high.  Note the deck is about 50% complete in this photo.  Due to the August heat John and Doug began work about 6 am many mornings.  Frank came a bit later  and was a welcome site as he went right to work.
Next step is to complete the main deck, then build the crew cabin, then complete the deck at the stern and the stern itself.  
A little less than half of the main deck remains to be finished.
Doug putting finishing boards on the fore deck.
Main deck is 99% finished. August 5, 2018
August 6:  Frank came by to bring a chalk line and inspect the progress.  Deck boards are being cut for the aft deck.
The aft deck has been completed and framing to support the decking around the sides of the cabin has been  installed.  The framing for the cabin outline can be seen.
Decking nearing completion.  
Decking 99 and 44/100 percent complete. The cabin will be built on this foundation.
 A little trim being applied below the gunwales.
Beginning to frame the crew cabin.
The chop saw is used for a lot of the cuts on the freighter.  The skil saw is also indispensable.  
Framing moving right along.
Two windows are boxed on each side of the crew cabin.
Here you can clearly see the window frames and the siding has been applied.
Trimming the last of the siding boards on this side.
Interior view of the construction.  In lieu of glass windows we will simply build shutters and apply to the exterior of each opening.
Roof rafters are being installed here.  Note the curve to the top of the roof.
An overall view of the crew cabin with roof framing nearing completion.
Doug is installing blocks to allow for a over hang of the roof on the sides of the cabin.
Frank working on the roof over the crew cabin.  Monday August 13, 2018
Doug working with a grinder to smooth the side of the roof.
August 15, 2018:  Doug is rolling primer onto the roof.  Several coats needed.
A final covering of canvas is being applied and that was painted with the final coats and coloring.
Doug made the shutters and is attaching them.
Two shutters installed on each side of the crew cabin.
Doug hard at work designing and constructing the rudder.
We were able to salvage some metal straps that had been used to secure the Edward Scott.  This rudder is heavy duty!  Now to attach it to the stern and fabricate a tiller.
8/22:  Today we constructed two deck hatches.
The hatches allow cargo to be stowed below deck.   
Doug is using a wood chisel and drill to form a pocket in the rough piece of wood which will become the tiller.
The top of the rudder stem has been shaped to receive the pocket of the tiller..
The rough tiller is being fitted to the rudder stem.
The tiller is being shaped to a finish with a grinder.
Tiller now smooth for the helmsman.
Canvas cover over the roof now has finish coat of paint. As the oak wood ages it will turn a gray color.
Door installed.
Door hardware installed.
Complete door and hardware.
Deck cleats for the helmsman to maintain a secure footing.
Wine barrels and tow cleats for attaching the tow rope.
Close up of the tow cleat Doug designed and fabricated on the port side near the bow.
Wine barrels on the fore deck.
Doug designed and fabricated the name sign for the Lizzie.


One of the signs on the sidewalk near the freighter, "The Lizzie of Scottsville."

  Additional river rock to finish the simulated water level was added.  Cargo for the deck consists of wine barrels and tobacco hogs heads. The project has been finished on time and within budget!

Photos by John Bowers


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