By: Bobb Tomsett

The notably fast Swansea (Welsh port at the mouth of the Bristol Channel) pilot schooner of 1859, Vigilant, is depicted with main halyard unhooked from the gaff and tied to the mainboom to act as a topping lift. Such pilots were in use on the Channel for most of the 18 th and 19 th centuries. Model's hull is constructed of blocks of hollowed-out agba, joined at the load waterline and hull centerline ( natural bottom / grey-painted topsides ), individually-laid sycamore deck planks & miscellaneous trim details. It is authentically rigged with polyester line of black and natural coloration. Metal fittings and gear are of brass, aluminum & nichrome wire, each hand-fashioned. The model is mounted on brass rods, which are then set onto a recessed mirror and ebonized baseboard with two brass engraved plaques and a glazed cover trimmed in brass.

Model type: Merchant, Sail
Scale: 1/8" = 1' Scale
Size: 10 3/4" x 3 1/2" x 9 5/8"
Class: A
Code: MER 2201