Scale: not calculated. A model of the gig from HMY ‘Britannia’, complete with an ensign of the cross of St George on the port and starboard bows. Extremely well made and presented it is equipped with five oars, mast, stowed sail, boathook, and what appears to be a yard or boom. The oars are about as fine as one could expect at this small scale and two are slightly smaller than the others. It obviously depicts a small but important vessel, intended for carrying somebody of importance. The hull is navy blue and gold livery and the seats at the stern have been covered in velvet.

A gig is a light, narrow ship’s boat built primarily for speed. They were originally clinker-built but within more recent years were frequently of carvel construction, like the vessel demonstrated here by the model. They usually had provision for either four or six oarsmen, single-banked, but the example here is uncommon in having five rowers.