Model of a 24-Gun Frigate

Entry

Polychromed and rigged block model of a three-masted ship, mounted on a base representing a sea.

Twenty-four guns are mounted on one deck. The model has three levels: lower deck (indicated by the gun ports), main deck, beakhead platform and forecastle and quarterdeck with gangways. The figurehead is a crowned rampant lion. The stern has a round tuck, a hollow counter with two portholes, a single-storey taffrail decorated with carvings of foliage and a medallion with a head. The single-storey quarter galleries have a railing above and fishtail lower finishing. Below the stern a straight square-headed rudder is indicated and a steering wheel is fitted on the quarterdeck. The model is fitted with two anchors, a double Y-shaped chimney for the galley, a side rope, two launches – one with five oars and a boathook inside – hanging above the waist and a ship bell. The sheer rises towards both ends, the model has two wales and a sheer rail interrupted by the gun ports. The hull is S-bottomed. The model has a three-masted rig with sails and a Dutch tricolour flying at the stern.

This model was a gift of Mr Enschede from Haarlem to the Department of the Navy, together with model NG-MC-1371.² It is not clear which vessel the model represents. Two frigates named Thetis were built in Amsterdam and both have the same dimensions (125 feet 7 inches long): one was built by John May (1694-1779) in 1768 and had 24 guns, the other was by his son William May (1725-1807) in 1785 and had 20 to 24 guns. The rigging and the fact that all guns are mounted on one deck suggest that it is the older vessel that is represented by the model.

Scale (estimate) 1:150.