Scale: Unknown. A model depicting a proposal for a ship’s fireproof ventilator. The model is made largely from stained and polished mahogany with a brass gauze on the inner faces, together with horizontal angled metal bars painted in a brass colour. The model has been built with a set of hinges and a brass catch at the other end, which then allows the model to open out showing two complete panels revealing tightly meshed gauze. Either side of the two complete panels are small cross-section parts of an adjoining panel showing the design and layout of the angled metal bars and gauze. The whole model is mounted on a rectangular mahogany baseboard, which is polished and fitted with four turned bun feet.

There is a large paper handwritten label applied to the baseboard which reads “DS. 1468.65. A Model of a Fire-safe Ventilator prepared in accordance with the Controller of the Navy’s letter of 20th February 1865 as a method of ventilating Spirit Rooms by which ventilation and perfect security in combination is maintained. … as formed with Metal Bars as described above, and which are fitted so that one set of bars, made to form acute angle edges will overlap the other set of bars with their edges forming obtuse angles alternately, with sufficient space between the bars to form winding passages for the air to pass around and not in direct currents through them, between the frames of Metal Bars, two patricians of metal wire gauze… fitted through which flames of fire cannot pass. For further particulars see letter of 13th March 1865.” This is followed by a handwritten signature in ink.