One of the exquisite smaller scale examples of prisoner of war bone ship models, this finely detailed craft is Admiral Horatio Nelson's flagship at the battle of Cape St. Vincent, H.M.S. CAPTAIN, a third rater of 74 guns launched in 1787 and sunk in 1813. Though the model has 78 cannons rather than the standard 74 for this ship, the modeler used all of his skills and a good deal of memory to accurately portray this valiant warship of long ago.
The miniature hull, completely planked and pinned, measures a mere eight inches on deck, fourteen inches from bowsprit to boomkin and eleven inches from keel to maintruck. The model features a polychrome figurehead and minute deck details including tiny water barrels, capstan and lifeboats. Of special note is the mounted ship's bell just above and forward of the main hatch companionway.
In a period domed glass glass display case, this bone model sits on a baseboard decorated with intricate straw marquetry, the straw probably being obtained from the prisoner's own mattress. The base is surrounded by a delicate bone balustrade and features a brass identification plaque with the vessel's name and showing the dates she sailed.
Cased Size: 21 1/2 x 10 x 16 H inches.
