English Barge, 1768

scratch built ship model, scale: 1” = 8’

hawthorne, boxwood, lancewood with acacia burl base, LOA 6"

1 1/2” high x 1” deep x 6” long, encased: 6” high x 5” deep x 9 1/2” long

$6,000

This miniature of a small pleasure craft is based on plate XLIX, No.2, in Architectura Navalis Mercatoria, 1768, by H.F. Chapman. Her dimensions are 43' 5" X 6' 2". H.P. Chapman is generally regarded as the first Naval Architect. He spent much of his career in scientific inquiry concerning problems of ship design, construction, and sailing.

 The plate is listed as a 'design draught', but it may be possible that it is actually based on an existing barge in the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, which I have examined. It certainly agrees in dimensions and details. This barge is a Thames wherry derivative, which in turn is a descendant of the small boats of the Vikings. It has a long, raking bow for beaching, fine run, and full body sections aft to support the coach house. The high, upswept stern and badge are typical of the type. Many examples of this and larger versions are to be seen in the paintings of Canaletto and the etchings of E. W. Cook.

 This model is built to the scale of 8'=1", and is around 6" long. The port side is unplanked, and shows the framing of hawthorne. The starboard side is clinker, or overlap, planked using boxwood. All joints are drilled and fastened with miniature treenails, or pegs. The carvings are done in boxwood, and include the scrollwork along the gunwale aft, two cats at each end of the coach house, and the stern badge. The oars are each carved from a single piece of lancewood, with a hollow spoon blade. The Royal Standard is of neutral pH glassine.

 The base is accacia cluster burl veneer. The nameplate is acid etched from my own calligraphy, on a gold-plated brass plate. The model was made in 1992.