Scale 1:48. A contemporary full hull model of the ST ‘Neptunia’ (1937), an ocean-going steam tug. Constructed in the builder’s style, the model is decked, rigged and fully equipped. Built by Cochrane & Son Ltd. Selby, Yorkshire, it measured 170 feet in length by 35 feet in the beam and had a tonnage of 797 gross. It was powered by reciprocating steam engines of 2500 horsepower and produced a service speed of 10 knots.

This vessel was owned by the Overseas Towage Co. and designed to complete against the worldwide fleet of Dutch tugs which had become pre-eminent in the field of ocean towage since the turn of the century. The Admiralty based one of their designs for ocean rescue on the ‘Neptunia’ which were reputed to be the finest of their kind in the world at the time. It had a very short career and was sunk by a U-boat in 1939 when about 300 miles west of Cape Ushant whilst towing a floating dock.