Details and history of one of history’s best known sailing ships, HMS Surprise, are presented. From her origins in France, her capture by England, through her epic battles in the Caribbean, this famous ship is immortalized in the movie, Master and Commander, with Russell Crowe.
The HMS Surprise is a wooden ship which is very popular among all nautical enthusiasts. The British Royal Navy had 13 ships under the name HMS Surprise, but the particular wooden ship model we emphasize here became exceptionally popular with the help of Patrick O’ Brian who wrote “The Adventures of Captain Aubrey.” As per the fiction, HMS Surprise was his favorite ship.
Details of HMS Surprise
Perfectly finished HMS Surprise ship models generally possess beautiful aspects of craftsmanship. HMS Surprise is in fact, a replica of the original ship called “L’ Unite” which was built way back in 1794. As per the records, the original ship’s construction was carried out in Le Havre. This particular ship was built with a 24-gun corvette and armed with 81 long guns. “L’Unite”, as she was christened, was captured by HMS Inconstant; a ship belonging to the British Royal Navy. They (Royal Navy) had to rename this ship as they already had a ship in operation with the same name.
In addition to renaming, the ship was refitted, re-armed and promoted into a 28-gun ship by Royal Army. She carried 24 carronades (each had the capacity of 32 pounds) on the main deck. Another eight carronades were installed on her quarter deck and forecastle. Adding more defensive features to this frigate, four 6 pound long guns were placed as chasers. The total length of the gun deck was 126 feet and the weight of the ship was nearly 580 tons.
It was believed that the French ships possessed relatively better maneuverability and speed. This was the main reason for Royal Navy to target French ships at every opportunity. All the French ships were designed with a streamlined design of the hull below the waterline.
Her Rescue mission on HMS Hermione
This particular ship became well-known for its remarkable role in rescuing the frigate Hermione. The entire crew of the Hermione had mutinied and the commander (Captain Pigot) and the officers were killed eventually. Later on, the Spanish, who supported the French by that time, were able to capture Hermione. The ship was harbored at Puerto Cabello (Venezuela). Meanwhile, HMS Surprise approached Hermione and boarded her. Members of the Royal Navy cleared Hermione’s deck and took her away. After this successful rescue mission, HMS Surprise proudly sailed back to England and she was sold out in February 1802 at Deptford.
Undoubtedly, the wooden ship model, HMS Surprise, is one that fascinates nautical enthusiasts. Because of the popularity of this ship, she appeared in the famous movie, Master and Commander. Ship enthusiasts consider HMS Surprise to be a symbol of determination and mightiness. In fact, to make a miniature replica of this wooden ship, one needs exceptional craftsmanship and patience. This is a wonderful gift you can offer for a model ship enthusiast or a perfect value addition to your own collection of ship models. When you buy such a masterpiece, be sure to select a reliable model ship seller who has a good reputation.
Care and Preservation of Your Model Ship
Now that you are a collector of authentic model ships, you will want to safeguard your investment by the proper care and maintenance of it. Learn some simple yet effective tips for dealing with problems that can affect the metal, wooden, and cloth parts of your investment.
The Best in Nautical Decor
What are some of the most important things to consider when considering a nautical décor? The author selects a number of criteria that all readers will relate to and explains why these points are important. Not surprisingly, the conclusion is that among the many items available in nautical décor, model ships are very suitable.
Things to consider before buying model ships
This article offers the reader some helpful advice on what things to consider when making a decision to purchase a model ship. Although not ranked in order of importance, usually the first consideration is going to relate to price. So, prior to making a purchase, a pricing framework or range will help you make the other decisions.
