Karl McFatridge isn’t one to stay idle for very long.
This Stephenville Crossing resident kept himself active through the past several months by building a replica of the Titanic, the passenger liner that famously struck an iceberg off the coast of Newfoundland and sank in 1912.
“I started last September and I finished it about two weeks ago,” said Karl. “Starting off is the worst – the keel is a lot of work. But it comes up slowly and it’s a good pastime.”
The project took him more than 450 hours to complete, and the finished model measures almost 13 feet in length and about five feet in height.
To get many details as accurate as possible, Karl studied a framed print of the Titanic and a magazine filled with photos and descriptions of the ship.
“I started last September and I finished it about two weeks ago.” - Karl McFatridge
Karl picked up the hobby of woodworking and model building after retiring as proprietor of Karl’s Canteen more than a decade ago.
He’s made birdhouses, toy cars, furniture and the like – but his passion is in model boats.
His recently completed replica of the Titanic is actually his fourth such model and he’s built several replicas of John Cabot’s Matthew. There’s also a model of a cruise ship dry-docked in his basement workshop.
Much of Karl’s handiwork can be seen on display alongside his home, which is located next to Coleman’s Food Centre in Stephenville Crossing.
