One of the most diverse collections in the possession of the Sydney Heritage Fleet is that of the Ship Models. The collection includes over 50 models. Fleet volunteers continue the time-honoured tradition of building, restoring and displaying them in the model workshop at Wharf 7.
The collection includes models of passenger liners, freighters, shipyard half-hull models, square-riggers, America’s Cup yachts, ships-in-a-bottle and models of the Fleet’s very own ships and boats.
Arthur Harris working on his beautiful model of the brig Marie Sophie
Among the larger models are the passenger liners Oriana, Southern Cross, and Northern Star, the freighter Port Brisbane and the bulk carrier Iron Chief, all excellent representations of the professional model-making category which were originally built for promotional purposes.
Peter Green working on his partly built model of the Sydney pilot vessel Captain Cook III (1939-1960)
The collection includes models of fully-rigged sailing ships of the golden age of commercial sail. The highlights are the three-masted barques James Craig and Mount Stewart, and the superbly crafted four-masted barque Queen Margaret.
America’s Cup and other classic yacht models are also represented in the collection including radio controlled sailing models of Dame Pattie and Gretel II.
The intriguing craft of ships-in-a-bottle is also represented. An excellent example of a bottled version of the James Craig, and three, four and five-masted ships and barques are on view. One fascinating bottle series demonstrates the method of model construction and shows how the model is manipulated into the bottle.
One of our many model ships
Brian Olesen explains the craftsmanship shown in this Scottish pondboat
All these models are on view at the Sydney Heritage Fleet, Wharf 7, Pirrama Road, Pyrmont.
For further information contact the Ship Model Workshop on 9298 3888.
