Recreation vessel; Yacht

Scale: not calculated. A very curiously shaped model pond yacht with a triangular lead keel and cork ballast. The varnished or French-polished upperworks and rudder have crazed due to the model not being dried out properly and, overall, the model displays all the knocks and abrasions that come with being well played with. Pond models were very popular toys in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They came in all shapes and sizes to suit a wide range of budgets. The proliferation of parks with ponds and boating lakes and the fashion for visiting coastal resorts, in the second half of the 19th century, meant that people were much nearer to water and sailing model pond yachts quickly took off as a healthy and instructive recreational activity for boys.

Object Details

ID: SLR2555
Collection: Ship models
Type: Full hull model; Rigged model
Display location: Not on display
Date made: Late 19th century?
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Overall model: 896 x 770 x 203 mm; Base: 135 x 462 x 162 mm
Parts: Recreation vessel; Yacht