A FINE 1:64 SCALE MODEL OF THE 74-GUNSHIP H.M.S BELLONA [176...

Hammer

£2,800

A FINE 1:64 SCALE MODEL OF THE 74-GUNSHIP H.M.S BELLONA [1760]

The planked and pinned 32in. hull, copper sheathed below the waterline with ebonised main wale, hinged gun ports with protruding guns, chainplates with deadeyes, finely carved relief swags on blue field between, metal anchors with wooden bound stocks, finely carved figurehead, quarterlights and stern galleries, plank decks with belaying rails with pins, stovepipe, belfry with brass bell, well deck with suite of three fitted boats over capstan with bars, gratings, double helm with turned spokes, saloon lights, bound cutaway masts and other details, mounted on light blue cradles to green cloth covered display base with legend within glazed wooden case -- 21½ x 48 x 15¼in. (54.5 x 122 x 39cm.)

Bellona's keel was laid at Chatham in May 1758 and she was launched on 19th February 1760. Continuously in action during the Napoleonic Wars, she was principally engaged in three major operations beginning with the capture of Trinidad in February 1797 when she formed part of Rear Admiral Harvey's squadron assisting the land-based campaign of General Sir Ralph Abercromby. On 18th June 1799, in company with several other ships of the fleet, Bellona helped capture a French squadron of five ships off Cape Sicie, near Toulon, and she was also one of Nelson's squadron at the bombardment and destruction of the Danish fleet at Copenhagen on 2nd April 1801. Despite being grounded due to an error by her master, Bellona was still able to make a significant contribution to the victory by virtue of her ability to bombard the shore defences and she drew much enemy fire as a result. Showing her age when she was unable to keep up with the fleet which participated in Sir Richard Strachan's action against the survivors of Trafalgar on 4th November 1805, she nevertheless took part in other sorties with Strachan's squadron and also assisted at the famous fireship attack on the French fleet lying in the Basque Roads on 11th April 1809. This was Bellona's last engagement and after a short period laid up, she was broken up at Chatham in September 1814.

fine condition throughout