Model Ships and Model Boats Building; from Ancient Past to Present
by Jeanette Morris
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wooden model ships and model sailboats are scaled down replications of a full-sized historical ship
models from ancient times to the present. Making model ships a fascinating hobby for every age.
Some Model ships are made from kits ranging from very difficult to ones made easy for beginners or
children. Some hobbyists carve their wooden model ships or boats from scratch while others build
them from a kit. These Kits are usually made from plastic or wood, depending on a person’s skill
and/or budget restraints. Some "small" model ships are built in a folded down pattern and inserted
into a bottle then erected by the pulling of a piece of thread to create a ship in a bottle. Even though
model ships enthusiast can build their own replica, some like to purchase a finalized model product for
either lack of time, skill, patience, etc... Some purchasers buy them for their home, business and
office decor. Price range for model ships vary from less than $100.00 to several thousand dollars.
Model ships and model boats can make great gifts for that hard-to-find dad, grandfather, etc…
The history of Model Ships building has always played a vital part in the building of "the real ship". In
the past, model ship builders hand built models to help the workers build their ships to the proper
scales. In a sense the old model builders built their models for the opposite reason as model ship
builders of today; they built them to create an upscale model instead. These older hand carved
model ships that provided to workers were actually provided as blueprints for the ship they were
building.
Today, wood model ships are used to help ship designers select the final form of the ship's hull before
they draw out the actual plans. Modern computer programs are also used to assist in plan
development, just like today's computerized blueprints to build a house. These wooden model ships
are then tested in tanks to provide precise information on how the hull of the full sized ship will perform
at sea and how it will perform at various speeds and various ocean behaviors. All of your major ship
builders use this “model ship” method before they decide on the final ship design.
The history of wooden model sailing ships goes way back to ancient Egypt around 3200 B.C., where
they invented the earliest form of plank and frame as well as sails for their ships. The Greek Ship
models followed approximately 500 years later with a two masts sail boat.
The people of Scandinavia developed Viking model ships, one of the best model ships built in Europe
between 700 AD to the late 1000's. European shipbuilders introduced the stern rudder around 1300
A.D.
The Mediterranean shipbuilders developed full-rigged sailing ship models in 1450 A.D. From there to
the early 1800's ships used were constructed mostly using the plank on frame method, rudder control,
and full-rigged sails. Note: Plank on frame method means that they built the frame of the hull first and
then used then planks to cover the frame. There were several different kinds of ship models during
these early years; the most famous of these ships were built from the 1500's to the early 1800's.
Galleons model ships were launched to sea during the mid 1500's and were used up to the 1800's.
These ships had high stern castles and 2 to 3 sails on the foremast and mainmast and 1 to 2 sails on
the mizzenmast. The model Galleon model battleships served as both warships and merchant ships.
During the 1600's the Europeans began building ships that carried guns to ward off pirate ships and
to counter attack enemy countries.
The most famous ship models were the packet and clipper ships. The model Packet ships appeared
in the Atlantic Ocean in the early 1800's, where they regularly sailed on scheduled missions. Clipper
model ships appeared during the 1840's. Both models were used as import ships to bring tea from
China and wool from Australia. They also carried passengers around Cap Horn to California during
the great gold rush of 1849. Clipper ships had several sails that made them extremely fast sailing
ships.
The early steam powered boats: In the 1700's engineers started to develop and experiment with a
new model; the steam powered boats. By the 1800's the model paddle wheel steam boats were
invented. The steam boats, in part, replaced the great model sailing ships. These boats eliminated
the dependence on rowing power or uncertain wind power for model sailing boats. Few countries
today still use sailing ships for coastal, inland shipping, and fishing.
In 1853, the propeller powered steam boat model was invented which proved to be more efficient then
the paddle wheel model. This dawned a new era of ship building. The increase in power and speed
lead to the development of steel ships that replaced the wood built ship models. Some of the most
fascinating model ships that are still in operation today were when the passenger cruise ships came
on the seen. The RMS Titanic cruise ship was built in March 1909. In May 1911, this new steel model
ship was launched, which was a heavily publicized spectacle. The giant ice breaker was designed to
be a marvel of modern safety technology and her accommodations were the most modern and
luxurious of cruise ships on any ocean. Unfortunately, at 11:40 pm on the 14th April 1912, the
greatest maritime disaster in history began. During that night of heroism, terror and tragedy, 705 lives
were saved, 1502 lives were lost. Some of the other most famous among these beautiful ship models
are the Normandie of France, the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain. The enormous
ships could cross the Atlantic Ocean in just over four days. In 1942, a disastrous fire destroyed the
Normandie as it lay in the New Your Harbor. In 1972, the model ship Queen Elizabeth caught fire and
destroyed her while anchored in Hon Gon Harbor.
To all the model ship enthusiast and hobbyist, it was my pleasure writing this article and I hope this
article has given you a greater appreciation of each and every ship we all build and/or collect. The
ships mentioned above are just a handful of the many models that we represent whether we build
them or collect them. Keep in mind that model ships used to be the sole blueprints of our yester
year's ships.
You can see a nice selection museum quality model ships built, from scratch, by extremely skilled
craftsmen and displayed in museums throughout the world. These model ships are the best quality
made replicas I have ever seen. Each model ship is built using exotic woods such as Rosewood,
Mahogany, Teak and other exotic tropical wood from around the world. Chrome and brass fittings
and ornaments constitute the excellence of each of our completed ships and boats. They are priced
for anyone to have or collect. You can see them at www.modelshipsusa.com .
Sincerely,
Jeanette Morris
Founder of
Model Ships USA
by Jeanette Morris
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wooden model ships and model sailboats are scaled down replications of a full-sized historical ship
models from ancient times to the present. Making model ships a fascinating hobby for every age.
Some Model ships are made from kits ranging from very difficult to ones made easy for beginners or
children. Some hobbyists carve their wooden model ships or boats from scratch while others build
them from a kit. These Kits are usually made from plastic or wood, depending on a person’s skill
and/or budget restraints. Some "small" model ships are built in a folded down pattern and inserted
into a bottle then erected by the pulling of a piece of thread to create a ship in a bottle. Even though
model ships enthusiast can build their own replica, some like to purchase a finalized model product for
either lack of time, skill, patience, etc... Some purchasers buy them for their home, business and
office decor. Price range for model ships vary from less than $100.00 to several thousand dollars.
Model ships and model boats can make great gifts for that hard-to-find dad, grandfather, etc…
The history of Model Ships building has always played a vital part in the building of "the real ship". In
the past, model ship builders hand built models to help the workers build their ships to the proper
scales. In a sense the old model builders built their models for the opposite reason as model ship
builders of today; they built them to create an upscale model instead. These older hand carved
model ships that provided to workers were actually provided as blueprints for the ship they were
building.
Today, wood model ships are used to help ship designers select the final form of the ship's hull before
they draw out the actual plans. Modern computer programs are also used to assist in plan
development, just like today's computerized blueprints to build a house. These wooden model ships
are then tested in tanks to provide precise information on how the hull of the full sized ship will perform
at sea and how it will perform at various speeds and various ocean behaviors. All of your major ship
builders use this “model ship” method before they decide on the final ship design.
The history of wooden model sailing ships goes way back to ancient Egypt around 3200 B.C., where
they invented the earliest form of plank and frame as well as sails for their ships. The Greek Ship
models followed approximately 500 years later with a two masts sail boat.
The people of Scandinavia developed Viking model ships, one of the best model ships built in Europe
between 700 AD to the late 1000's. European shipbuilders introduced the stern rudder around 1300
A.D.
The Mediterranean shipbuilders developed full-rigged sailing ship models in 1450 A.D. From there to
the early 1800's ships used were constructed mostly using the plank on frame method, rudder control,
and full-rigged sails. Note: Plank on frame method means that they built the frame of the hull first and
then used then planks to cover the frame. There were several different kinds of ship models during
these early years; the most famous of these ships were built from the 1500's to the early 1800's.
Galleons model ships were launched to sea during the mid 1500's and were used up to the 1800's.
These ships had high stern castles and 2 to 3 sails on the foremast and mainmast and 1 to 2 sails on
the mizzenmast. The model Galleon model battleships served as both warships and merchant ships.
During the 1600's the Europeans began building ships that carried guns to ward off pirate ships and
to counter attack enemy countries.
The most famous ship models were the packet and clipper ships. The model Packet ships appeared
in the Atlantic Ocean in the early 1800's, where they regularly sailed on scheduled missions. Clipper
model ships appeared during the 1840's. Both models were used as import ships to bring tea from
China and wool from Australia. They also carried passengers around Cap Horn to California during
the great gold rush of 1849. Clipper ships had several sails that made them extremely fast sailing
ships.
The early steam powered boats: In the 1700's engineers started to develop and experiment with a
new model; the steam powered boats. By the 1800's the model paddle wheel steam boats were
invented. The steam boats, in part, replaced the great model sailing ships. These boats eliminated
the dependence on rowing power or uncertain wind power for model sailing boats. Few countries
today still use sailing ships for coastal, inland shipping, and fishing.
In 1853, the propeller powered steam boat model was invented which proved to be more efficient then
the paddle wheel model. This dawned a new era of ship building. The increase in power and speed
lead to the development of steel ships that replaced the wood built ship models. Some of the most
fascinating model ships that are still in operation today were when the passenger cruise ships came
on the seen. The RMS Titanic cruise ship was built in March 1909. In May 1911, this new steel model
ship was launched, which was a heavily publicized spectacle. The giant ice breaker was designed to
be a marvel of modern safety technology and her accommodations were the most modern and
luxurious of cruise ships on any ocean. Unfortunately, at 11:40 pm on the 14th April 1912, the
greatest maritime disaster in history began. During that night of heroism, terror and tragedy, 705 lives
were saved, 1502 lives were lost. Some of the other most famous among these beautiful ship models
are the Normandie of France, the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain. The enormous
ships could cross the Atlantic Ocean in just over four days. In 1942, a disastrous fire destroyed the
Normandie as it lay in the New Your Harbor. In 1972, the model ship Queen Elizabeth caught fire and
destroyed her while anchored in Hon Gon Harbor.
To all the model ship enthusiast and hobbyist, it was my pleasure writing this article and I hope this
article has given you a greater appreciation of each and every ship we all build and/or collect. The
ships mentioned above are just a handful of the many models that we represent whether we build
them or collect them. Keep in mind that model ships used to be the sole blueprints of our yester
year's ships.
You can see a nice selection museum quality model ships built, from scratch, by extremely skilled
craftsmen and displayed in museums throughout the world. These model ships are the best quality
made replicas I have ever seen. Each model ship is built using exotic woods such as Rosewood,
Mahogany, Teak and other exotic tropical wood from around the world. Chrome and brass fittings
and ornaments constitute the excellence of each of our completed ships and boats. They are priced
for anyone to have or collect. You can see them at www.modelshipsusa.com .
Sincerely,
Jeanette Morris
Founder of
Model Ships USA
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I received my USS Constitution today
and I just wanted to let you know that
this ship was beyond my expectation.
The model ship is better than your site's
pictures. Again thanks for a wonderful
product.
Sincerely,
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Wow!, what a product. My new model
ship is sitting on a shelf in my office. I
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brightening up my office. I'm thinking of
starting a collection and you've won my
business. It was a great pleasure doing
business with you.
Again thanks!
Tammy"
Wow!, what a product. My new model
ship is sitting on a shelf in my office. I
couldn't believe my eyes when I opened
the box and their she was. Thanks for
brightening up my office. I'm thinking of
starting a collection and you've won my
business. It was a great pleasure doing
business with you.
Again thanks!
Tammy"
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