By Al Blevins
1/24 Anchor Hoy (scratchbuilt)
The anchor hoy shown here was built for the US Navy at the Boston Navy Yard in 1818. It was designed by Thomas Doughty who also worked on several frigates including the USS Constitution.
Anchor hoys were employed to transport and recover anchors and to lay down moorings. This particular hoy also had a tank for transferring water to ships in the yard.
The vessel was a sloop-rigged double-ender capable of being sailed foward or backward which was an asset when working in a crowded yard. The rudder and the davit were capable of being rigged from either end.
The model is scratchbuilt with a planked over solid hull in 1/2 inch=1 foot scale. It was built for an exhibit of the USS Constitution's 200th Anniversary at the Constitution Museum in Boston and was subsequently acquired by the Museum.
