Unknown warship, possibly for Conqueror (1801)

Scale: 1:48. A plan showing the head, head-rails and top of the trail-board with the proposed figurehead possibly for Conqueror (1801), a 74-gun Third Rate, two-decker. The design of the head, head-rails and trail-board is incorrect for a Third Rate, being more relevant to a Fifth Rate frigate (as it has only a middle head-rail between the main rail and the upper trail-board cheek), but that may reflect the use of a generic scale bow drawing for the figurehead. The original figurehead for Conqueror (1801), a bust of Alexander the Great, was shot away at the battle of Traflagar. The officers and captain of Conqueror requested in 1806 that its replacement was a bust of Lord Nelson, which was approved. This was fitted while the ship was in dock undergoing repairs at Plymouth Dockyard. The captain and officers paid for it to be gilded in burnished gold. A contemporary letter (ADM 106/1938) dated 12 March 1806 gave authority for £30 to be spent on the figureheads for Conqueror and Achille. The designs were never submitted as Sir William Rule visited Plymouth Dockyard and he approved them during his visit.

The grey colour-washed figurehead is a portside view bust of Vice Admiral Lord Nelson facing forward. He is wearing his bicorn hat complete with chelengk. His uniform includes his decorations, such as the Order of the Bath and Turkish Order of the Crescent, and three medals hung from the open collar. His right sleeve has been pinned across the breast of the jacket. Below the bust is stylised foliage in scrolls coming from the top of the lower trail-board cheek. The top has been carved as a column with three square sails on yards, and a large cannon muzzle emitting flames behind.

Object Details

ID: DIC0110
Type: Technical drawing
Display location: Not on display
Date made: circa 1806; circa 1807
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Overall: 383 mm x 303 mm
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