Warship; French; Third rate; 74-80 guns

Scale: approximately 1:120. A full hull prisoner of war model of a French two-decker ship of the line (circa 1800). The model is decked, equipped, rigged and scenic. The ship is flying the white ensign, but the Jack and hull appear French. The two-decker 80-gun ship is carefully rigged and put on a sea base. Seven boats are set in the sea round it and two anchors are laid out.

The two-decker ‘80’ was less common in the British than the French navy at this time, though several had been captured by the British and were regarded as very fine ships. Prisoners often chose to model the largest ship with a particular number of decks, and attached British flags to it to increase its market value.

Object Details

ID: SLR0627
Collection: Ship models
Type: Full hull model; Waterline model; Rigged model; Scenic model; Plank-on-frame
Display location: Not on display
Date made: circa 1800
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Overall model and case: 644 x 830 x 329 mm