D4069_3

Model of 'Caledonia' (1808), 120 guns, three decker ship of the line Long Caption: Scale: 1:48. A contemporary sectional model of the 'Caledonia' (1808), a 120-gun three-decker ship of the line, built plank on frame in the Georgian style. Model is partially decked and is one of a pair of longitudinal half models, which together form a full hull model. This is the port half, which depicts the method of construction of square bow and stern in practice before adoption of the system introduced by Sir Robert Seppings. SLR2822 is the starboard half, which shows improvements and modifications of the round bow and stern made by Seppings, about 1814. This new system enabled larger and stronger ships to be built which in turn allowed more guns to be carried. The 'Caledonia' was built at the Royal Dockyard, Plymouth and was the first ship in the Royal Navy to be rated as of 120 guns. Measuring 205 feet along the gun deck and a beam of 54 feet, it had a tonnage of 2602 burden. In 1857 after a fairly uneventful career, the 'Caledonia' replaced the 'Dreadnought' as the Seaman's Hospital in the Thames and was moored just off Greenwich, taking on the name of its predecessor. It was finally broken up in 1875. Credit line: © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London Object: SLR0120 Artist: Sir Robert Seppings Date: 1813-1832 Medium: wood; bone; brass; paint; varnish Size: 405 mm x 1535 mm x 170 mm Click here to buy a bespoke print of this image.