Full hull model; Plank-on-frame; Ensign staff

Scale: 1:12. Flagstaff from a contemporary full hull model of a whaleboat (1850), pulling ten oars double-banked. The hull is built plank on frame in clinker fashion and is complete with bottom boards, gangplanks, a single mast, flagstaff, a set of brass rowlocks and a rudder operated by a yoke (missing).

At this scale, the model represents a boat measuring approximately 40 feet in length and was probably used by the Royal Navy as opposed to commercial whaling. This is borne out by the lack of fittings, such as the towing bollard, and number of crew required to work it. These boats were normally carried on board larger ships and used in a variety of ways as they were light, fast and easy to handle, and could be launched from davits in a short space of time especially for emergencies.