Scale: 1:48. A contemporary full hull block model of a 60-gun two-decker ship of the line (circa 1715), built in ‘bread and butter’ fashion. The label reads ‘P/ 21a/ Ship of 60 guns, about 1715(?). Catalogued (1923) under No.17 as Intrepid ex Serieux, 64, a French prize of 1747.’

These detailed but robust block models were probably built to accompany the ships plans, illustrating the proposals put forward by all the Master Shipwrights of the Royal Dockyards. They were easier and quicker to build and more likely to survive the rough ride to London, either by road or sea, where they were used for discussion by the Navy Board who were responsible for the commissioning of new ships.

The name ‘Intrepid’ appears on the hull below the waterline and is just legible also on the deck, but can be dismissed as impossible. Neither the dimensions nor the form of the quarter-gallery (known from a contemporary print) suit the prize of 1747. The only other ‘Intrepid’ was a 64-gun ship of 1770, which was much wider in comparison with the length than the ship represented by the model. On the evidence of the dimensions alone the model seems to represent a 60-gun ship on the Establishment of 1706.