Fast Topsail Schooner scale model
  Schooner "Claire" port side   Schooner "Claire" Bow   Schooner "Claire" Sern <<Click on the thumbnails |
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Maker: W. Wilkes |
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| Subject: Fast Topsail Schooner "Claire" c.1990 | ||
| Medium: Scale Model Price: £2000 | Size: 770 x 650 x 170mm, 30.3 x 25.6 x 6.7 " Order No. Schooner1 | |
| Collection Only | Currency Converter | |
Incredible attention to detail, minute rigging components, wooden planks with a copper 'bottom'.
"CLAIRE" FAST TOPSAIL SCHOONER
Named Claire but is, in fact, a model of "Etoile" built in 1938 in a Danish yard to the lines of a fast two mast schooner 40m. in length. She is now used by the French navy as a training vessel. In accord with her modern use she is fitted with auxiliary power, radar, long range radio, life rafts and a small amount of labour saving devices.
The topsail yard is equipped with Wykeham Martin roller furling gear which was a very novel device when she-was built. It enables the square sail to be furled, partially or wholly, without hands having to go aloft.
Topsail schooners, particularly those with two masts were the workhorses of UK coastal trade during the late 18th 19th. and early 20th century. Many were built at local as well as large yards. The rig centred on easily handled gaff main and fore mainsails complimented with several jibs and often a square topsail for more efficient downwind sailing.
Because cargo carriers needed the largest holds possible the crew and the master lived in deck houses The hulls varied from bulky bluff nosed and comparatively slow vessels to sleek, clipper like, fast passage makers. The fast ones were both functional and very beautiful. They were often used to carry fruit from the West Indies, which was a very profitable cargo if it arrived fresh. An owner of such a vessel might protect his investment from worm and fouling by having her hull plated, under the waterline, with copper. We get our expression for a good, sound investment from this practice. It gave longevity, less downtime undergoing routine maintenance and speedier passages.
This display model, which is twenty years old, is complete in every detail of construction, standing and running rigging and took over 200 hrs. to build. She is very fragile and requires much care when handling.
See also: Brixham Trawler working model
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Fast Topsail Schooner from the the 1930's scale model
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