A BUILDER'S MODEL FOR THE S.S. CYANUS, BUILT BY EDWARD WITHY & CO, HARTLEPOOL FOR STEEL YOUNG & CO., LONDON, 1880

the laminated yellow pine hull lacquered below the waterline and ebonised over, with lined decks and superstructure, metal and wood fittings including deck rails, anchors with davits and winches, companionways, covered hatches, ship rigged masts with yards, spanker boom and derricks, open bridge with helm and binnacle, ventilators, stayed funnel with livery, open boxwood lifeboats in davits, deck house with water buckets, emergency helm and other details, mounted on twin brass supports to display base with inset silvered builder's plate and contained within original glazed display case with later plaque to front. Overall measurements -- 21 x 47 x 14in. (53.5 x 119.5 x 35.5cm.)

The Cyanus was the first iron ship built in Hartlepool. Registered at 1,635 tons, she measured 265 x 34.4 x 16.6ft and was powered by a two cylinder compound engine made locally by T. Richardson. In 1893 she was bought by Ferguson & Reid of Glasgow. On the 9th February 1897 she was en-route from Bilbao carrying iron ore when, at 10pm, she struck some rocks near Ile de Sein, Ushant in thick fog and foundered so quickly none of the boats could be launched. Twenty of her crew were drowned with a single survivor - the lookout, one Laurence Nicholson - found by local fishermen clinging to an upturned boat at 9am the following day. This model remains in fine and original condition and is interesting for having the transitional sail-steam fully rigged masts with yards and spanker booms, at over 1,600 tons it would require a stiff breeze to enable her to make much headway and they were really there to give confidence to the crew and handful of passengers she may have carried.

This lot will be available for viewing at Imperial Road