Schooner Yacht 'America' (1851)

Scale: 1:17. A realistically painted model of the schooner yacht 'America' made entirely in wood with metal and organic material fittings. The hull has a very deep keel and a steeply raked bow and is painted a copper coloured finish below the waterline. Above the waterline is a narrow white line which runs the entire length of the hull, as well as black painted upper parts. The bow terminates in a simple scroll figurehead. The bowsprit is rigged and there are two catheads on both the port and starboard sides rigged to blocks. The spritsail is rigged to a white painted boom. The foremast and mainmast are made from predominantly from unpainted wood although the tops been painted white, as have the mainmast's topmast and gaff boom. Both masts have their sails set and all the sails are realistically made up from coarse off-white cotton. The sails are connected to the main and fore masts using fine brown painted wooden hoops. The unpainted deck has been scored to resemble planking. The deck fittings include a hatch cover, two skylights that can open, a capstan, a covered companion way hatch and a cockpit with a seat for the helmsman. The tiller has an elongated acorn-shaped finial and can be used to work the rudder. There are two roped rails on the port and starboard stern quarters. The model is displayed on a pair of decoratively shaped black painted wooden crutches connected by a single slat.