Merchantman

Scale: 1:48. This contemporary model represents a ship of about 140 feet long by 28 feet in the beam and of about 350 tons. It is armed with twenty 6-pounder guns for protection against foreign warships and privateers.

The general shape of the hull and figurehead in the form of a female bust, tends to suggest that this model is of a merchantman, rather than a warship, and may be of a later date. The round-headed or ‘plug-stock’ rudder-head is said to have been introduced on East Indiamen in about 1780 but was not in general use until the 19th century.

Object Details

ID: SLR0583
Collection: Ship models
Type: Full hull model
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Unknown
Date made: circa 1795
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Overall model: 209 x 788 x 187 mm; Base: 80 x 412 x 166 mm