Scale: 1:48. A contemporary full hull model of the steam packet ‘Widgeon’ (1837) fully rigged including original sails furled and stowed, the whole model mounted with original pillars on a modern baseboard.

From 1837–53, the mail packet service was under the control of the Admiralty. These vessels were mainly wooden paddle steamers under the command of a naval officer and provided a regular service between two ports carrying mail passengers and general cargo.

The ‘Widgeon’ was designed by Sir William Symonds, Chief Surveyor of the Navy, and was built at the Royal Naval Dockyard Chatham in 1837. Measuring 108 feet in length by 18 feet in the beam and a gross tonnage of 164, the ‘Widgeon’ operated from the Dover packet station remaining in service until 1848.