Scale 1:32. A contemporary full hull model of the ‘Lacedaemonian’ (circa 1812) a 38-gun frigate, fifth-rate ship of the line. Constructed in plank on frame fashion and mounted on its original baseboard, the model is decked and equipped including stump masts and bowsprit.

The ‘Lacedaemonian was built at the Royal Dockyard, Portsmouth and launched in 1812. Measuring 150 feet along the lower deck and 40 feet in the beam, it had a tonnage of 1073 in builder’s old measurement. The upper deck was armed with twenty-eight 18-pounder guns, six 9-pounders on the quarterdeck and two 12-pounders on the forecastle.

The ‘Lacedaemonian’ was a large frigate carrying up to 46 guns but only rated at 38 guns. In the next few years, in answer to the heavy American frigates, the British were to build 50-gun and even 60-gun frigates as can be seen in model SLR0685. The ‘Lacedaemonian’ had a fairly short and uneventful career and was finally broken up in 1822.

The model has long been recorded as being made by David Harvey, official model maker to the Admiralty. Although it is very slightly short on both length and beam, the model agrees perfectly in every detail with the original plans (ZAZ2007, ZAZ2377) making identification certain. However, from the style of the model, in particular the colour scheme, it is likely that it was made some years later that the building of the ship. It is known that Harvey also built the model of the royal yacht ‘Victoria and Albert’ (SLR0235) in the early 1840s.

An interesting feature of this model is that a single run of planking has been removed along the buttock lines on either side of the hull to show the internal framing.