Modellers Shipyard HM Cutter Mermaid
The HM Cutter Mermaid was built of teak in Calcutta; she was less than a year old when commissioned on 16 October 1817. For the next 3 years Lieutenant Phillip Parker King, RN, used the Mermaid for her designated task of 'Exploring and Surveying the Coast of Australia'. Mermaid survived three voyages of discovery under King's command but it was the third voyage involving a complete circumnavigation of the Australian mainland which draws closest scrutiny. On 8 May 1819 Mermaid sailed north, conducting the first reliable survey of the Great Barrier Reef Inner Route, opening it to commercial traffic.
Specifications:
Skill Level : 2
Scale : 1:48
Length: 590mm
Height: 450mm
The HM Cutter Mermaid was built of teak in Calcutta; she was less than a year old when commissioned on 16 October 1817. For the next 3 years Lieutenant Phillip Parker King, RN, used the Mermaid for her designated task of 'Exploring and Surveying the Coast of Australia'. Mermaid survived three voyages of discovery under King's command but it was the third voyage involving a complete circumnavigation of the Australian mainland which draws closest scrutiny. On 8 May 1819 Mermaid sailed north, conducting the first reliable survey of the Great Barrier Reef Inner Route, opening it to commercial traffic. From then onwards King ran running surveys along the entire coastline until, with Mermaid leaking badly, he knew this survey was over. At the location King named Careening Bay, the hull was patched up for 3 weeks until 9 October. During this time King carved 'HMC Mermaid 1820' on the single Boab tree at the rear of the bay. This example of historic graffiti remains to this day.
Mermaid sailed and entered the calm waters of Sydney Cove on 9 December 1820, some 25 weeks and 3 days since sailing, having circumnavigated the continent. Unfortunately, ironically, she ran aground in the very route she had opened to shipping off the present site of Cairns, in 1829, and was lost. In January 2009 the wreck of the Mermaid was found by a team of marine archaeologists from the Australian National Maritime Museum. The site of the wreck has now been declared a maritime heritage site.
A double plank on bulkhead construction with laser cut plywood. The kit comes complete with all timber, rigging cord, and wooden and metal fittings. All parts and fittings are of the highest quality. It Includes 48 pages of detailed instructions with photographs and diagrams, and 4 sheets of construction plans.
Skill Level : 2
Scale : 1:48
Length: 590mm
Height: 450mm
