Modeler’s Bio:
Edward is a retired former Intelligence officer. Born and raised in Colorado educated at CU, DU and Harvard. While stationed in Washington D.C. he was and is a member of the Washington Ship Model Association and a Plank member of the Nautical Research Guild. He has built over 25 models over 60 years of modeling and has displayed them in various venues around the country.
Category Archives: Ed Quam
USS Maine
Description of the model
Ed Quam built this limited edition kit( # 10) by Bluejacket. Highly modified. Bass wood solid hull. Resin castings, metal guns and masts, etched brass
History of the ship
Ship was sunk in Havana harbor as a result of “Spanish” sabotage, thus starting the Spanish American War.
38” x 13”
Kate Cory
Description of the model:
The model was scratch built from the plans noted below by Ed Quam. She is made of bass wood, fiber rigging and copper.
History of the ship:
Whaling ship out of New England owned by the Corey family. She was sunk by the Confederate Navy. The Corey family had all the documents related to her construction and disposition to file for reparations.
A trunk full of these documents were found in the Corey attic in the mid 1970’s Model shipways had the plans drawn up and a kit was produced.
Fair America
Brief history of the ship:
One of America’s first Naval ships in the Colonial Navy. She was captured by the British and so admired that they took her lines off to be copied.
30” x 15”
USS Olympia
Brief history of the ship:
The Olympia was the flag ship of Adm. George Dewey. She was the ship that ended the Spanish American war in Manila Bay. After WWI she was designated to bring home the body of the Unknown Soldier.
As with the Maine the Olympia is a limited edition kit by Bluejacket and again it is #10. The kit was highly modified and consists of a bass wood solid hull, etched brass fittings, cast metal and phenolic parts.
USN Picket Boat #1
Modeler’s Name: Edward Quam
Period: 1864
Scale: ½” = 1’
Type of Model: plank on frame kit
Build Time: 6 months
Build Materials:
Basswood, Brass, Cast Britania Metal and simulated coal
Ship’s Story:
The boat was commanded by Lt Cushing and crew of 15. Cushing was a washout at the Naval Academy but was given this command because of his brash bravery. The mission was to sink the CSS Albemarle that was protecting the Albemarle Sound pinning down the Union forces. Cushing rammed the Iron Clad, placing the torpedo through a gun port and firing his 12 pound howitzer into it. Cushing was the only one to escape and made it to the Union forces. Declared a hero he was promoted to Lt Commander. The carved figure at the tiller depicts Cushing in full dress uniform.
S.S. Portland
Ed Quam constructed this model from a kit but modified it considerably. Materials include basswood, styrene, metal and fiber.
The Portland was an intercoastal side wheel steam boat designed to carry passengers and cargo between Boston and Portland, Maine. She was caught in a “nor’easter” and sunk with all hands on board. The wreckage was founded in 1988 by the Historical Maritime Group of New England off the coast of Cape Ann..
Period: 1890’s
Model length: 42”, height: 14”
Scale: 1/8” – 1 ft.