A NAPOLEONIC PRISONER OF WAR STYLE LAUNCHING MODEL FOR THE 74-GUN SHIP ORION

the 12in. hull planked and pinned on the starboard side and open-framed to the port side, with ebonised main wales, brass guns with red-painted port lids, finely carved warrior-form figurehead, stern and quarter galleries, the deck with fittings including carved belfry with bell, wale deck gratings, bitts, companionway, deck lights, etc., with three bound cutaway masts with launching masts behind each sporting launching flags as appropriate, mounted on a bound sliding truck on angled ramp with simulated bone bricks and corner finials, contained within a glazed wooden case with bone finials, overall measurements -- 11 x 18½ x 9½in. (28 x 47 x 24cm.)

A 'Canada' Class 74-gun ship launched at Deptford in 1787, Orion quickly became one of the most distinguished ships of the age of fighting sail and was at most of the principal actions of the Napoleonic Wars: The Glorious First of June (Duckworth); Groix; Cape St. Vincent and The Nile (Saumarez); and Trafalgar (Codrington) along with several other smaller actions and prizes ensured her popularity and immortality in naval lore. By 1814 with the war all but won, she was worn out and sold for breaking.