Ship model Australian schooner Port Jackson from 1803

The plans for the schooner Port Jackson 1803

In 1790 the Governor of Australia asked the Admiralty in London for two ships of 30-40 tons to be sent to Sydney in parts, accompanied by some shipwrights for assembly. His request was partially granted. He obtained materials for a 41-ton schooner that served the colony from 1793 to 1805. In 1803 the Admiralty commissioned the Navy Board to draw plans for two ships to the Governor’s original requirements and send a copy to Port Jackson (now known as Sydney Harbour). The original drawings are now in the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich.

It cannot be said with certainty from historical data whether a ship was built according to the plans at that time, but a schooner Mercury of this size was launched in Sydney in 1807 for the merchant Thomas Reiby. Reiby was an influential merchant and former naval officer, and it can be assumed that he received the plans and further support for his shipbuilding from the governor.

Details of the ship’s history and plans can be found in the book by Karl Heinz Marquardt, The Global Schooner, Origins, Development, Design and Construction 1695 – 1845, Conway Maritime Press, London 2003, ISBN 0851779301.

The ship model of the schooner, photos and dimensions

The model of the schooner Port Jackson is a nice and clean work. Here are more photos: various overall views from all sides, various views of the upper deck, the hull and the rigging . Click on the pictures to zoom in!

It has a length of 82 cm, a width of 25 cm and a height of 68 cm on a scale of 1:40.