FIGHTING FRIGATE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 38, 7 May 1927, Page 11

FIGHTING FRIGATE

“OLD IRONSIDES” MODELS COMPETITION FOR BOYS PRIZE MONEY TOTALS £ls There have been beauty contests for girls, dressmaking competitions for women, football selecting for the men. Now the boys are to have a chance. THE SUN wants model ships!

What boy can’t build a toy sailing boat? This newspaper is offering a cash prize of £lO for the best model of “Old Ironsides” of the period of 1800. The contest - is running now in cooperation with the Paramount Picture “Old Ironsides,” soon to be released in New Zealand. The runner-up gets £5. Descriptions and plans for a model of “Old Ironsides” have already been published in this newspaper. However, for the general information, the “Old Ironsides” models should be between 20in and 30in long in the hull; depth of hull from main gun deck to keel about 4§in; width of main deck or centre beam about 4Jin. A photo of “Old Ironsides” with full sails herewith gives one an idea about its design. FOUGHT AGAINST PIRATES Building a model of “Old Ironsides” should give one a thrill, as toy shipbuilding is a great hobby among boys. The cutting of the hull, fitting of the deck hatches and spars and rigging of the sails all tend to excite interest in the contest. The models will be judged on their appearance and detail. “Old

Ironsides” was the name given a sailing frigate in 1803 when it set out from Salem, Massachusetts in New England, with a crew of sturdy youths, bom of indomitable British stock, to rid the Mediterranean Sea of pirates. The story of “Old Ironsides” is told in the Paramount picture of that name. The little frigate carried full sail and was mounted with 54 guns when she attacked the pirate forts in Tripoli to rescue captured seamen and women. The battle action of “Old Ironsides” shows 50 sailing ships in fighting order, the actual filming of which was directed by radio.

The “Old Ironsides” ship building contest will end on June 30, when all models must be in the hands of the “Old Ironsides” Contest Editor, care of this newspaper. The adjudging will be done during the following weeks. Only boys up to 16 years may enter this contest. The winning entry will go to Paramount Pictures to be used for display purposes for “Old Ironsides,” a Paramount picture, and it will afterwards be returned to the owner.