Scale: not calculated. Full hull model of the 'Eliza' (1900), a coble.

This model was made by the talented modelmaker David Wray from plans by W. H. Blake, reproduced in ‘Inshore craft of Great Britain in the days of sail and oar’ by Edgar J. March. These craft themselves were not made from plans, as such, though detailed drawings like those used by Wray have been produced from surviving vessels.

Cobles are highly distinctive fishing boats, with their exaggerated flared bow, elongated ‘s’-shaped sweep of the profile and very deep, elongated rudder. There are subtle regional variations and ‘Eliza’ (1900) was a Flamborough-type coble. The last builder of cobles in Flamborough was Mr Hopwood, who died in 1939, which lends the model an added relevance. Aside from the wave-riding abilities and manoeuvrability afforded by the coble design, the model shows what attractive and unique craft they are.

One can see the rig and the sail configuration, and it’s equipped with six beautifully carved oars. Wray has mounted the model on a pair of tall pillar supports to take into account the deep rudder and, to give it stability (though it is also an attractive feature) it has been secured to the utilitarian baseboard by four chains.