Sectional model; Stern model

Scale: Unknown. A model depicting the stern and temporary rudders of the 40-gun frigate HMS 'Pique' (1834), mounted in a contemporary wood-framed display case. The model has been realistically painted with a black hull and wide band of white, and a copper colour below the waterline. The windows of the stern gallery and quarter galleries have been depicted with cream-coloured frames and green glass lights. The central stern gallery window has been removed leaving six windows shown. The temporary rudder has been made in varnished wood, brass and a natural cord, or fine rope. It is shown in position rigged to a lashed wheel by a continuous length of cord via a pair of rail-mounted pulley blocks, a further pair of pulley blocks mounted at either end of a laterally rigged yard and finally the bottom of the rudder itself. The yard is attached to the forward face of the stern section by two brass ring bolts and also the rear of the display case. The keel of the model is mounted on a black-painted plinth, which, in turn, is secured to the floor of the display case. The case is glazed at the front, both sides and top, the rear of the case being hessian-backed. The frame of the case has been black-lacquered. At the top of the rear of the case a label has been secured with drawing pins in each of its four corners which reads 'Model of the stern of H.M.S. 'Pique', with six models of rudders to be temporarily shipped in case of loss of rudder at sea. H.M.S. 'Pique', a 40 gun frigate, designed by Rear-Admiral Sir William Symonds, CB, and built at Plymouth in 1834, was 160 feet long, 48 feet 10 1/2 inches broad and 14 feet 7 inches deep. Her measurement equalling 1633 tons. She was employed on the Portuguese coast during the British intervention in the Carlist war of 1837 assisted to look after British interests at the time of the French operations in Mexico in 1838-39; was on the coast of Syria in 1840 and shared in the bombardment and capture of Beirut Kaiffa and Joan D'Arc and was also present at the attack on Petropaulovski. Kamschatka in 1854. On the 22nd September, 1835 she ran ashore on the coast of Labrador and after being refloated, lost her rudder. Two temporary rudders were fitted at different times but these were carried away in bad weather. Eventually she sailed 1500 miles rudderless steered by means of a hawser and arrived home on the 13th October of the same year. Presented by W. Henby RN.'.

Original size: 506 mm x 402 mm x 300 mm