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Frederick W. Snow , (1837–1925)

James Madison

1853
27 1/4 in. x 40 1/2 in. (69.22 cm x 102.87 cm)

Medium and Support: Ship model

Credit Line: Gift of Oliver G. Jennings

Accession Number: 1934.S3

Commentary

"James Madison"
United States Revenue Cutter

Built at Baltimore about 1808
Length 94 ft. 6 in.; Beam 25 ft.; Depth 10 ft. 6 in.

The most precise element about this model is her measurements (conforming to the uniform scale of the entire collection, of course). The name is enclosed in quotation marks in order to signify everything that is imprecise. For thirty years this model has been thought to be that of the James Madison, but recent research has shown that the legend concerning the capture of that vessel and its refitting to become H. M. S. Alban is incorrect. The Alban, according to British Admiralty lists, was formerly the William Bayard¬—presumably a sister vessel. As well as can be determined, the late Frederick W. Snow used the lines of the Alban to make the model in the belief that the Alban was originally the James Madison. What’s in a name? A half year has disappeared in an attempt to unravel the mystery. Suffice it to say that at least two vessels, of which this model is a type, served in the Revenue Cutter Service (now known as the U.S. Coast Guard) to prevent smuggling and to suppress the slave trade. They were fast schooners, built in the region of Baltimore. From them the Clipper Ships later evolved.

Robert E. Peabody, "James Madison" catalogue entry in ed. John Ratté, Models of American Sailing Ships, rev. ed. (Andover, MA: Addison Gallery of American Art, 1994), 53

Exhibition List

This object was included in the following exhibitions:

1/4" scale: Models of American Sailing Ships Addison Gallery of American Art , 9/25/1994 - 1/12/1995

Portfolio List Click a portfolio name to view all the objects in that portfolio

This object is a member of the following portfolios:

Exhibitions: Ship Models

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