Scale: 1:32. A contemporary builder’s full hull model of the fleet escort destroyer HMS ‘Boyne’ (1904). As is typical with this style of model, a large number of the metal fittings have been silver-plated. This was a deliberate attempt by the commercial shipyards, to catch the eye of a potential buyer for the British and foreign navies, when the yards exhibited at the various international trade fairs worldwide. As deck space was at a premium on these fast vessels, it is fitted with permanently built whaler and cutter rigged high on the davits whilst the other boats either side of the funnel forward were of the folding type invented by the Reverend Berthon.

Built by R. & W. Hawthorn, Leslie & Co., Hebburn-on-Tyne, the ‘Boyne’ measured 220 feet in length by 23 feet in the beam and had a displacement tonnage of 545. It was the first ocean-going fleet destroyer and as such the speed of this ‘River’ class of vessels was sacrificed to achieve greater seaworthiness. No fewer than 34 of these destroyers were built in 1903–05, and two more by 1909. The turtle-back deck forward (see ‘Sturgeon’ SLR0101) was replaced by the normal forecastle, raised to improve sea-worthiness.

This class marked the turning point in the transition of the destroyer, from an enlarged torpedo boat to the fleet escort vessel. Their speed of 25 knots could be maintained in foul weather, whereas the earlier so-called ‘27 and 30 knotters’ never quite reached these speeds in smooth water, and fell far short of them in rough water.

The ‘Boyne’ served on the China station together with a number of its sister ships and during the First World War was on convoy duties in the Mediterranean and the North Sea. It was eventually sold for breaking in August 1919.