Chapter 49: The Photo Tour 05
IMPERIAL DOCKYARDS: CUXHAVEN
By: Dreadnought & AP
Chapter 49:
THE PHOTO TOUR
05
THE WEST LOCH – Part 05
This chapter will cover some of the activity out in the roadsted of the West Loch. Like most harbors -- even small ones – there are assigned berths, usually around the edges of the open water areas. Out in the open waters there will always be mooring buoys for ships temporarily assigned to the squadron, just arrived and needing replenishment before berthing, or those preparing to sail.
This overview shows the open water area in the center of the roadsted. The six ships moored to temporary buoys are part of an eight ship squadron being assembled for transfer to the German East Asiatic Squadron. The two Dresden Class light cruisers tied-up at the repair dock also belong to the squadron.
The two large armored cruisers (Scharnhorst left – Gneisenau right) are Germany’s newest and most powerful cruisers and will constitute the strongest European cruiser force in the Far East. (See Chapter 07 for full details.) You will notice they have been painted in their “foreign station” livery – white hulls, yellow ochre upper works, and black funnel caps. They are beehives of activity as last minute preparations for sailing are completed.
Gneisenau was abruptly recalled from diplomatic port calls to join the squadron and is in the process of taking aboard last minute stores and provisions. The crane barge is transferring cargo from another barge alongside. Forgive me for taking a hasty picture – there should be cargo on the barge – but it’s a “timed prop”, and I forgot.
The crane barge and cargo barge were borrowed from “PEG’s Bubba’s Bulk Barge”. The white steam tug was “gifted” by “WolfZe”. The two paddle tugs handling the big cargo barge are the fine work of “AP” – as are the two small boats rowing out to the armored cruiser – no doubt the crews last mail delivery before sailing. Gneisenau is also the impeccable work of "AP".
This shot gives you an excellent view of the detail on “AP’s” paddle tug (Esmeralda). I’m really quite fond of these little beauties, and I try to work them into as many scenes as possible. In this shot, you can actually see the cargo on the barge – and you will notice the sailors “working cargo” as they stand atop the crates. I tried to put sailors on the crane barge, but some of those old PEG models have horrible LOD problems.
This view of Gneisenau’s fantail shows the crew carrying boxes and crates down the aft hatch – which indicates provisions and supplies for the officer’s wardroom – or possibly the Kapitan’s pantry. This also gives you another view of the excellent detail built into “AP’s” armored cruiser – absolutely flawless.
SMS Scharnhorst is the flagship of Konteradmiral Maximillian von Spee, ordered to assume command of the East Asiatic Squadron upon arrival in the Far East. She and Gneisenau constituted a two-ship class. In this shot, a motor launch is alongside to port, while the boat boom is deployed on the starboard side. The mooring buoy, motor launch, boat boom, and small boats are courtesy of “AP”.
Port side view. The Scharnhorst Class armored cruisers have been touted by many analysts as the most handsome armored cruisers ever built. But – other analysts claim that honor for the USS Tennessee Class armored cruisers.
This a close-up of the magnificent detail worked into AP’s model. Notice the compass platform between the fourth funnel and the aft mast. The motor launch pulling alongside is probably carrying last minute mail for the crew as well as dispatches, directives, and even diplomatic pouches bound for the Far East. Kaiserliche Marine ships transiting to the Far East were often used as “mail” ships, making frequent stops along the way to deliver official correspondence.
On Scharnhorst’s starboard side, the boat boom has been deployed. The boom was a common feature of the era and provided a convenient mooring point for small boats going to and from the cruiser – avoiding the laborious necessity of continually launching and hoisting the boats inboard. The boat boom and the boats tied to it are arranged on a single 1x1 lot plopped adjacent to the ship. The two boats approaching the boom are on another 1x1 lot.
Moored ahead of the armored cruisers are two French light cruisers of the Jurien de la Graviere Class. I elected to use them in the scenario because the number of German cruiser models available was somewhat limited. The de la Graviere’s were, in fact, active prior to, and during WW I, and are quite interesting in their appearance. The Jurien de la Graviere Class cruisers are indicative of French naval architecture of the period -- distinctive for the numerous funnels aboard their ships – and unique in the way they tended to separate them into groups. (For more details on Graviere, see Chapter 27.)
The Jurien de la Gravier model was graciously provided by @Barroco Hispano and you can see the intricate detailing in the level of clutter displayed amidships. The main armament sponsoned outboard from the hull is carefully portrayed with the armored port shields in the “open” position – perhaps a minor point – but very realistic.
This is the SS Erlangen, a collier leased from the Norddeutscher Shipping Line, which will accompany the Squadron on their journey to the Far East. (For the back-story and details, see Chapter 27.) This model is a beautiful scratch-built rendition created by @AP and is modeled after the US Navy Prometheus Class colliers. From the weathered hull, to the rusty brown forecastle deck plating, and the soot-smudged funnels – she is every bit a worn and over-worked collier from the early years of the 20th Century. The detail and texturing are simply superb. Though based on a US Navy collier, she has all of the characteristics found in other colliers of the period, and has the fine lines of the original design.
Center stage in this shot is USS Proteus, name ship of a class of four colliers built for the US Navy in the early 1900’s as commissioned naval auxiliaries. (For the back-story and details, see Chapter 27.) The Kaiserliche Marine relied almost entirely upon the Norddeutscher Line for collier support, but I chose this vessel to represent “government-owned” colliers, largely because her design is unique among all the colliers. Notice all the activity going on around the moored collier – the berthed cruisers at the top, tugs and lighters coming and going, and small boats moving around the harbor. Again – the theory of the “busy harbor” – taken from old photos of Hamburg, Wilhelmshaven, Rotterdam, and even New York, -- crowded, cluttered, and above all – busy.
This is a close-up of Proteus’ aft superstructure, which has a great deal of detail packed into a small area. The main purpose of the ship was to carry a lot of coal, and her designers kept that in mind. Once again, “AP” has created a beautiful scratch-built model based on photos and line drawings – complete with a detailed operational rig of the coaling booms. This model was particularly satisfying for me because “AP” brought to life many of the details photos didn’t, and 2-D line drawings couldn’t. You have, doubtless, noticed the ever-present “seagulls”. I have never found a harbor or an inland waterway without them – so I developed a special 1x1 lot using the Maxis “seagull effect”. The lot can be plopped on the seabed, thereby avoiding the need to place them in fixed locations ashore.
This is a shot of the Protected Cruiser SMS Victoria Louise putting to sea through the north entrance of the breakwater. (See Chapter 02 for full details on the ship.)
The Victoria Louise Class were small cruisers by later standards, but she made a fabulously detailed model in “AP’s” talented hands. There were five ships in all, and this one is painted in ”foreign station” livery – representing three of the original ships that served overseas. She is equipped with a “stern walk” – indicating her intended use as a foreign station flagship. It is a handsome model with a wealth of faithfully rendered detail.
NEXT TIME……
CUXHAVEN:
THE PHOTO TOUR
06
MANY THANKS to @Barroco Hispano for his beautiful warship models.
SPECIAL THANKS to my friend and partner, @AP, for his talents, meticulous models, colorful imagination, and extreme dedication.
If you enjoyed anything – please punch the “like” button so WE will know. A comment would be even more informative.
Comments and critiques requested and gratefully accepted. All questions answered promptly to the best of our ability.
THANK YOU for your visit!
You may wish to visit these CJ’s as well……
SERIES I:
IMPERIAL DOCKYARDS: WILHELMSHAVEN
SERIES II:
IMPERIAL DOCKYARDS: CUXHAVEN
Appearing – Work In Publication
SERIES III:
IMPERIAL DOCKYARDS: BREMERHAVEN
Appearing -- ???
And please feel free to drop in at…
THE SIMTROPOLIS SHIPYARD
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12
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