Scale: 1:24. A contemporary full hull model of the Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fisherman’s smack ‘Queen Victoria’ (1888), fully rigged with sails set, the whole of which is mounted on modern wooden display crutches. On deck are a number of fittings such as the ships wheel astern, companionways and deckhouses, and two pairs of davits, one rigged with a cutter. The highly detailed rig includes a full suit of sails stitched from individual cloths, with wooden mast and spars supported by standing and running rigging.

These vessels were described as ‘Dandy’ rigged, that is a two-masted ketch or yawl where the mizzen sail is one-third the size of the main sail rather than the normal half size. These vessels were operated by the Fishermen’s Mission and sailed in company with the fishing fleets. Their job was to help alleviate the harsh conditions of the fishermen who toiled the dangerous fishing grounds of the North Sea. They were equipped with 13 cots on board and carried a doctor as well providing extra clothing and food.

Built by Thomas Fellows & Sons, Yarmouth, the ‘Queen Victoria’ measured 96 feet in length by 25 feet in the beam and had a tonnage of 153 gross. It was in attendance on the fishing fleets until 1903.