Scale: 1:48. A contemporary builder’s full hull model of the first-class protected cruiser ‘Powerful’ (1895). As is typical with this style of model, a large number of the metal fittings have been silver-plated or finished in copper. This was a deliberate attempt by the commercial shipyards when they exhibited at the various international trade fairs, to catch the eye of a potential buyer for the British and foreign navies. The scale of 1:48 has allowed the modelmakers to include every piece of equipment carried on these large and cramped ships, even down to the hinged and grills on the numerous deck hatches.

Built by the Naval Construction & Armaments Co., Barrow-in-Furness, the ‘Powerful’ measured 538 feet in length by 71 feet in the beam and had a displacement of 14,200 tons. She was designed as answer to the Russian cruisers ‘Rurik’ and ‘Rossiya’, and proved to be more that a match for them as well as other cruisers worldwide. The steel hulls were wood-sheathed and coppered to enable them to achieve high speeds of up to 22 knots after being at sea for long periods of time.

The ‘Powerful’ served as flagship on the Australian Station for much of her active sea-going career, which ended in 1911 when she was relegated to harbour service. She became famous when a contingent from her formed part of the Naval Brigade, which saw service during the Boer War, 1899–1902, and the heavy 12-pounder guns that she landed, played an important part in the Defence of Ladysmith. She was later made a training ship in 1916 and renamed ‘Impregnable II’ in 1920. She was eventually sold for breaking in 1929.