A contemporary full hull model of the 'Messenger', a life buoy by W. M. B. Langridge, circa 1804. The model is decked and equipped with grablines, grabrails and two watertight hatches for access into the main hull. It consists of a large wooden cask set in a decked double-ended boat. There is a position for a mast to be rigged just forward of the cask, with a metal sheet rail which suggests that a jib or headsail could be rigged as well as a larger mainsail. The name ‘Messenger’ is inscribed on the starboard bow together with ‘Lifebuoy’ on the port bow and ‘W.M.B. Langridge Lewes 1804’ on the superstructure.