Steamboat Onondaga (Sinkable)
Built-in 1860, the Steamboat Onondaga would be first christened as the ‘Perez H. Fields’ for business owner John Arnot in Elmira. During the first 5 year portion of her career, Perez H. Fields would see herself mainly being commissioned by the government as troop transport on Seneca Lake during the American Civil War. After the Civil War, the Perez H. Fields continued as a towboat on Seneca Lake till being bought by the Seneca Lake Steam Navigation Company (SLSNC) in 1870. In 1870, renowned shipwright and designer, Benjamin Springstead, renovated the Perez H. Fields in an effort to revamp the Seneca Lake Steamboat Fleet. The outcome had the Perez H. Fields rechristened and completely redesigned as the ‘Onondaga’. Regarded as the largest steamer between the Hudson River and Buffalo, the Onondaga would impress all who sailed on her, sporting accommodation for over 500 passengers in style and convenience in comfort. Throughout the 1870s-1880s, the Onondaga would join into the growing excursionist trade, taking excursionists to the Long Point Hotel, where much leisure could be enjoyed. On one such outing, it’s said that the Onondaga carried over 800 veterans of the Grand Army of the Republic on an excursionist route, treating the massive party to every single cabin suite available. Unfortunately, being a larger and older steamer, the Onondaga would slowly be replaced by more economical ships in the fleet, being relegated to short excursions and being a towboat. By 1895, the Onondaga was placed in dock at the City of Geneva for three years, awaiting her fate which arrived in May of 1898. On May 25th of 1898, a group of performers under the ‘Joshua Simpkins Opera Traveling Company’ not only brought their impressive talents to the City of Geneva, but also a deadly case of smallpox. The performers were quarantined aboard the Onondaga from May 25th to June 24th, where the Onondaga herself became a health and safety hazard. After this event, the Onondaga’s fate was sealed, and the SLSNC decided to make a spectacle of her destruction. The Onondaga was filled with 3 tons of dynamite and was advertised as a reenactment of the explosion of the U.S.S Maine, celebrating the United States victory against Spain a few months earlier. On September 14th, 1898, the Steamboat Onondaga was blown up in front of over 5,000 spectators, sinking to the bottom of the lake. In 2012, the Onondaga was amazingly rediscovered under sonar by explorer Jim Kennard, but sadly no other exploration of the wreck has occurred.
Features:
Largest Walking beam Engine (14 knots)
Working steam whistle and bell distress system.
Servant Calling System
2 lifeboats accommodating 3 each
Full, detailed, very accurate interior, including:
Staterooms, Cabin Suites, Two Galleys, Dining room, Grand saloon, Barber shop, Engine/ Paddle Boiler Room, Cargo holds, and Crew Quarters.
Working Anchor, launchable with bow crane
Connectors, rope, and winches are available at the stern for towing any canal or ship
Advanced Pilothouse controls, including:
Helm, Flares, handheld flares, Lights, GPS, Autopilot, throttle, distress system,
binoculars, fire extinguisher, compass, flashlight, and medkit
Auxiliary Helm in the Paddle Room.
To Start:
Make your way to the Engine Room through the titled hatch or hallway door
Go the to boiler and press the button “Light boilers”
The throttle is controllable from the Engine Room, Auxiliary Helm, and Pilot House.
To sink or explode:
Go to the Pilot House
Look under starboard GPS desk
Press the button titled “Scuttle” or “explosion”
Stopping the sinking and or explosion is impossible once pressed.
Distress system:
Press the button titled “distress system” on the port desk of the Pilothouse. (sends out a signal for rescuers to pick up)
2 flares on either side of the ship’s Hog Frame also help send out distress signals
(Flares launchable from Pilot House or Auxiliary helm)
Warning:
In high waves, the ship will surely capsize if being hit purely from her broadside
To fix this, only point the ship towards or against the waves, and keep at the helm of the ship at all times.
Many thanks to GBDanny and the ‘Brown Star Shipyards’ discord server for help with the beam engine. Many thanks to all who support and enjoy my builds, and thank you Kelly (: . This ship has been truly a joy and a passion project I’ve wanted to build for some time. You’ve all helped in so many ways for me to create my greatest ship yet. (:
