THE DAYS OF DRAKE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 20, 16 October 1937, Page 8

THE DAYS OF DRAKE

Hastings Model of Famous Ship, Revenge 4 three years to make A large-scale model of the famoua llghting ship Revenge, which won fame and glory for Great Britain by her fight, uuder Sir Richai'd Grenville off Flores in ihe sixteenth century, has been con-struetc-d by a Hastings resident, Mr J. Forrest, of Miller street. The model is 7ft. 6^1. in length and when fully rigged is 6ft. 3in. high. This model represents three years' work, although it is not yet quite finished. Mr Forrest was hampered by difficulties in obtaining plans for sueh a large model and had to rely.very mucix upon his own drawings, which, however, have been carefully checked in every detail. The framework is of wood, sheathed in metal for" strength ahd durability. Already over 40 dozen screws have gone into the model and a dragon iigurehead, eonsisting of 280 paris represents eight dajis' work. Another eight days was required to construct the stern. lantern, which has latticed sides. The carved gallery has eight roses and four shields, each shield bearing six liona and six fleurs-de-lis. The hull is hand:beaten and moulded. There is a cut gratixig on the bow, fitted with carved sides. Thero are four bulkheads, each with two Mngod, sunkenpanelied double doors and frames made to open. The first has carved above these a row of diamonds and a king '3 crown. with a railing higher iip. In tho second more diamonds are carved abovo the doors, and the third has rows of hand-made rails with roses below theth. Lattice windows are placed between .each set of doors in , the fourth bulkhead. The carved bulwark has four sets of panelled, hinged doors and eight sets of hinged ports with frames. Amidships are fitted two miniature shields and roses, eonsisting of 500 pieces of metal, hand-cut and- fitted into a combinatiou of designs. The original Revenge was considerod by Sir Francis Drake to be a masterpiece of navpl construction. It was a vessel of about 500 tons, and was in use from about 1577 to.1591, covering herself with glory . under Sir Francis Drake 's command against the Spanish Armada4 Mr Forrest's model will be on view at tho Spring Show at Tomoana,