251A


251A. A FINELY-REALISED 1:64 SCALE MODEL OF THE SIXTH RATE UNICORN (1776)


with planked and pinned hull, the planks omitted to expose ribs amidships on port side, ebony wales, open gun ports with red-painted lids, painted and decorated bulwarks, finely carved unicorn and warrior figurehead, caryatid and taffrail carvings, semi-planked decks revealing ‘tween decks and great cabin, gratings, guns in carriages, helm, capstan, belfry, masts with standing and running rigging with blocks, chain plates and deadeyes and masthead streamers, mounted on a planked wooden display base within brass-bound glazed cover. The model -- 23 x 33in. (58.5 x 84cm.); The case -- 26 x 37¾ x 16in. (66 x 96 x 40.5cm.)


A typically active ship of the American War of Independence, Unicorn was built by John Randall & Co of Rotherhithe for a fitted and coppered cost of £8,524.7.1d. Commissioned in April 1776, she sailed from Plymouth under Captain John Ford in July for North America to serve as a troop convoy escort, and within a few months had taken six American privateers, and together with the Experiment also took the 32-gun U.S.S. Raleigh. After a refit in England, she returned to American waters and took the Hope before she herself was captured by the French L’Andromaque in September 1780, but was re-captured in April 1781 in the West Indies by the Resource and renamed Unicorn Prize. Refitted at Portsmouth for over £6,500, she served in the Channel and Irish Sea but by 1786 was worn out and, paid off at Deptford, was broken up there in August 1787.


£2500-3500


251A (detail)


additional images online at www.charlesmillerltd.com


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