EXTENSIVE RESTORATION of the MODEL SHIP STELLA POLARIS

In 2017, we performed the most demanding restoration job ever on a five-foot long original model of the Stella Polaris that was damaged by by sea water during the hurricane Katrina. The model belonged to a very close friend with the captain of the ship.

Restoring the badly damaged model was more time consuming than building a new one. The materials were damaged and aged and we had to painstakingly make them new again. For example, the brass railing had to be all cleansed before being painted white. The soiled wooden deck had to be clean and uniform in color again. The parts that were missing must be made to match the original... 

It was a long and hard skilled labor process and we'd like to share some photos below for your enjoyment.

                                              RESTORATION  COMMENCEMENT

Filling the cracks:



Sanding the ship and getting it ready for the first primer layer:





Since the model's hull was solid wood and absorbed water, after filling up the cracks, sanding, we left it outside to expose it to the elements for several weeks to detect and treat further cracks. The photo below shows more cracks developing. We filled them with wood filler (white color in the photo). This process was repeated three times to ensure the solid hull won't crack again. And the hull received three layers of primer in total.



Hundreds of tiny metal parts waited to be cleansed by hand:



After cleansing, waiting for the first layer of paint:





Assembling the model:



Completed!

Leaving our shop in Southern California:


 

"Stella is home. Mrs Watkins is thrilled! What a fabulous restoration! Never thought Stella would look this good again. Thanks for a beautiful job! Mark Warriner 2/21/18"

   
RECHRISTENING CEREMONY

About the Stella Polaris:

The Clipper Line’s Stella Polaris, completed in 1927, was the first custom-built cruise ship. She is considered one of the first real cruise ships in the history of cruising, being not only one of the first full-time cruise ships, but also one of the first purpose built cruise ships.

The most elegant and exclusive devoted to cruising, Stella Polaris carried only about 200 passengers. Only half this number on round the world cruises. When not on a world cruise, she mostly sailed in European waters. With a crew numbering 130, one can imagine the impeccable service on board.

Stella Polaris had no rivals. She helped establish the most deluxe form of ocean travel into the 1960s. With her clipper bow, bow sprit, and well deck, Stella Polaris was considered a “Royal Yacht.”