Royal William (1833)

Scale: 1:48. Plan showing the bow, headrail, head and figurehead for Royal William (1833), a 120-gun First Rate, three-decker, converted to an 89-gun Second Rate steam screw battleship. The figurehead relates to the ship’s conversion at Devonport between February 1859 and February 1860. The original figurehead was a full-length one of 'his Majesty in his Parliamentary robes' carved by Frederick and James Dickerson [Trewman's Exeter Flying Post, 14 April 1833].

The figurehead is a crowned bust of King William IV, facing forwards. He is wearing a crown, larger than the one originally proposed (see DIC0135), which had been regarded as too small and too high on his head. The King is wearing a jacket with the Order of the Garter collar (chain) and sash. The jacket's low collar is buttoned up at the front and he is wearing a high cravat around his neck. The design was approved.

The plan includes Admiralty Letter Book number S2942, relating to the letter in ADM 91/22, which, along with letter S1758, recorded that the design and estimates were approved but the crown should be larger and that the carver should send a rough sketch of the alteration. Final approval was given on 2 June 1859 and the sum of £35 noted.

Object Details

ID: DIC0024
Type: Technical drawing
Display location: Not on display
Date made: circa 1833
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Overall: 188 mm x 224 mm