A BUILDER'S MODEL FOR THE 'EL HILAL' CLASS QUARTER-WHEEL PUSHER TUGS BUILT FOR THE SUDANESE GOVERNMENT AGENCY BY YARROW & CO. LTD, GLASGOW, 1954

the carved and painted hull with lined lower and painted upper decks, painted and lined upper superstructure with wood veneer below, painted stern paddles with twin rudders, deck rails with painted meshing, covered bridge with gold plated helm and telegraph, lamps over, companionways, blue-painted funnel and slatted deck bench and other details, mounted on four ebonised metal columns within original wooden glazed display case with ivorine builder's plate and wooden feet (plate warped). Overall measurements -- 24 x 43½ x 18¼in. (61 x 110.5 x 46.5cm.)

The name 'El Hilal' does not appear in the Yarrow lists and so must be the name for a class of six identical pusher tugs built in 1954 for the Sudanese Government. These were then dis-assembled, shipped to Sudan and re-assembled in situ as was commonly done for this type of river steamer from the mid-19th century. With the end of Empire in sight, however, this must have been one of the last such orders ever dispatched. The six vessels represented by this model are: Hurriyah; Imatong; Lado; Marra; Tagoog; and Taka. However their fates are unknown at present.

This lot will be available for viewing at Imperial Road