Scale: 1:64. Waterline model of the 'Anglia' (1886), a paddle tug. The model is decked, fully equipped and rigged, with sails furled. The hull is inscribed with ‘Anglia’ on either side of the paddle boxes as well ‘Anglia London’ on stern. The company house flag is flying from the masthead with a ‘W’ of William Watkins. Built by Blackwall of London, it measured 144 feet in length by 22 feet in the beam and a tonnage of 274 gross.

The ‘Anglia’ was specifically designed for seeking homeward-bound sailing vessels in the English Channel requiring a tow to London river or adjacent ports. Her design was groundbreaking and was awarded first prize at the Naval Architects Exhibition in 1876. The twin paddles were powered by a side lever steam engine of 700 initial horsepower producing a speed of 10 knots, and for a short time, was the most powerful tug in the world. In 1878, she was sent to Spain to pick up the barge carrying Cleopatra’s Needle, which had been taken to Ferrol after breaking adrift during the tow from Alexandria to London. The tow was undertaken for £500 and although eventually successful, it was fraught with problems.