Scale: 1:12. A contemporary sectional working model depicting the steering gear for HMS 'Pioneer' (1899). The model is made entirely of metal either turned or cast brass and steel. It illustrates a series of metal hull frames together with the top portion of the rudder above which is riveted a section of deck and two vertical bulk heads. The model is worked by turning either a small single wheel or the pair of spoked ships wheels which are linked by a series of cogs and clutches to a long single rod which has a wormed thread turned on its end. Connected to this wormed gear are two pivoting solid bars which in turn are connected to a T-piece on top of the rudder head. There are two engraved plaques screwed to the decks of the model which read `To Connect Clutches A for Steam Shaft B & C for Hand wheels below B & D for Hand wheels on deck' and `HMS PIONEER MODEL STEERING GEAR SCALE 1"EQUALS 1 FOOT CHATHAM YARD 1900'.

The whole model is mounted on a rectangular mahogany moulded baseboard which has been stained and varnished and is on raised wooden rails with leather pads.

HMS Pioneer served on the Australia Station from 1905 to 1913.