Sullivan Whitehall (Model)

These plans are taken from a 5' builder's model in the Mystic Seaport collection which hung in Dick Sullivan’s boat shop on Atlantic Avenue in Boston. Dick Sullivan’s model was for a rowing boat to be used in races and was long and lean and straighter in the sheer than the boats used for business.  This model may date to the 1860s and shows the boat with the inte­rior completely installed and the sheer and binder and next planks hung, so that the boat was structurally stable enough to turn upside down for final planking. This was the usual method of Whitehall building.  Four seats cross the boat, which would allow her to be rowed as a four with coxswain, but the space in the stern would be tight. Three rowers would be better, but two would be a little scant for the best speed.  Her beam is wide enough so that a pair of rowers might have used 9' 6" sweeps rather than sculls, or she might work well random style, with a sculler amid­ ships and sweep rowers forward and aft.  With 3/4" planking, as drawn, the boat would not be light.  From 87 Boat Designs by Ben Fuller.

WSP.7.147