A Large Scale Model Of The U.S. Frigate Essex
A Large Scale Model Of The U.S. Frigate Essex

FRED SCHAFFNER; AMERICAN, CA. 1986

Details
A Large Scale Model Of The U.S. Frigate Essex
Fred Schaffner; American, ca. 1986
The hull of the model, built up in plank on frame construction, has a coppered bottom which has some areas of verdi gris, and black painted topsides with natural band of planking around the gun ports. The bulwarks of the model are built up and fitted with a black painted cap rail. Mounted at the bow of the model is a figure head of an Indian, which is painted, and at the stern of the model are quarter galleries which have eagles mounted above and below the windows, and at the transom is a painted reef above the windows and the name below them. The decks of the model are planked and pinned in place with deck grating over the areas on either side of the boats mounted amidship's. The deck of the model is well detailed and includes: anchors, coils of line, deck cannons on carriages and sleds, pin and fife rails, barrels, ships boats mounted amidships and on the stern davits, hammock nets, scale figures, deck gratings, companion way, capstan, rudder, belfry, binnacle, ship's wheel, rudder, etc. The model is well rigged with a bowsprit and three masts. The masts are fitted with cross spars, tops and trees. The model is rigged with standing and running rigging which includes ratlines rigged through deadeyes, fore stays and back stays, halyards, topping lifts, bracing lines, sheets, halyards and other running rigging. The model is mounted on a mahogany baseboard and displayed in a glass and mahogany framed case.
54¾ x 18¾ x 37½ in. (139 x 47.6 x 95.2 cm.) cased dimensions.

Lot Essay

The U.S. Frigate Essex was the only warship Salem's shipyards ever produced. Her princliple dimensions were : LOA - 140 ft, Beam - 31 ft, Draft - 12.3 ft., and she had a GRT of 850. She was entirely constructed from Essex county materials by master shipbuilder, Enos Briggs. Although launched in 1799, the Essex saw no combat until the war of 1812. In 1814, at the neutral harbor of Valparaiso, Chile, two British warships continued to fire upon the Essex even after she had struck her colors. The captured Essex was reduced to a shattered hulk and almost one quarter of the crew killed.

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