William C. Nagle (1921 – 1995)

As an active member of numerous ship model societies, including the Long Island Ship Model Society, National Maritime Historical Society, and Nautical Research Guild, he won many competitions, published articles and lectured extensively on his unique and authentic style of marine model work throughout his distinguished career. His efforts to encourage young people to begin carving characterized his love and dedication to quality model making. American and British vessels of the 18th and 19th centuries commanded his main interest. Most of his miniature replicas are a built-up, plank-on-frame hull construction technique, using a variety of natural finished exotic hardwoods; other models have been made from solid waterline lifts, hollowed out for lightness with built up bulwarks and individually laid decks. The effort and quality of Mr. Nagle’s rigging is remembered to be outstanding, employing almost all the necessary methods of serving shrouds and stays, plus splicing and period knot tie-off’s per naval or merchant seamanship practice.

Mr. Nagle’s models have been exhibited at the Kodak Exhibition Gallery (New York City), Schaefer Gallery (Mystic Seaport Museum); he has a permanent model on exhibition at the prestigious Mariners’ Museum (Newport News), as well as in numerous private and corporate collections throughout the country.