The Navy Department Library
Navy Department Library
Half-hull Model #8
28-foot ship's cutter. "Cutter, Class No. 4," Length 28 ft....Respectfully Submitted T.O. Selfridge, Commo: & Presidn't of Board, 1869." Designer's half hull model, scale 1:12. Design and model by Thomas O. Selfridge, Sr. Navy Department Ship Model Catalog #1979.
While Selfridge's sloop-of-war and yacht designs were not accepted by the Navy, apparently some of the ship's boats he designed were built. Selfridge was senior member of a Board on Vessels which convened from March to October 1869. Apparently the board was to determine standardized designs for cutters, steam cutters, whale boats, and barges for Navy ships. Lines plans were developed from Selfridge's models.
The Office of the Curator of Ship Models, Naval Surface Warfare Center in Carderock MD has a collection of fourteen Selfridge models, related manuscript drawings, and letters.
Models #3 and 5 are also Selfridge designs.
Bibliography
Cogar, William B. Dictionary of Admirals of the U.S. Navy, vol. 1. Annapolis MD: Naval Institute, 1989.
Selfridge, Thomas O., Jr. Memoirs of Thomas O. Selfridge, Jr. New York: Putnam's, 1924.
