Scale: 1:48. A contemporary full hull model of the 'Mermaid' (1784), a 32-gun frigate, built in 'bread and butter' fashion, planked and finished in the Georgian style. Model is partially decked and equipped, and is mounted on its launching cradle in a slipway, depicting the vessel prior to launch. On deck there is a full set of launching flags including from the bow, the Union Jack, Admiralty flag with foul anchor motif, Royal Standard and furthest aft, the Union flag.

As part of the base unit there is a drawer at one end, which hides a separate section of slipway. Once pulled out, it doubles the length of the slip. A small catch can then be depressed which releases the model down slipway. The stern decoration is typical for this period where the style of carving is crisp and finished with clear varnish, even down to the name plaque mounted on the counter.

The 'Mermaid’ was present at the capture of Toulon in 1793 and, later, in 1798 whilst in the West Indies, it is credited with the capture of three French warships. In 1797 it captured a Spanish packet off Corunna, before finally being broken up in 1815.