HERMIONE

Frigate of the American War

O n March 10, 1780, The Marquis de Lafayette boarded
Hermione on his way to the coasts of North America.
He left to announce the arrival of royal troops to fight
of Independence the English occupier on the side of the insurgents. The
1779 - 1793 crossing was accomplished in the record time of 48 days.
This performance was due to Hermione’s excellent nautical
A 1/48 SCALE MONOGRAPH
qualities. In fact, Hermione was a new-generation frigate
The book includes all timbering plans
built before the revolution. Started on the ways in December
Jean-Claude Lemineur 1778, she benefited from important advances that were
Patrick Villiers brought about by a new concept developed during the
second half of the 18th century that translated into
seagoing capabilities well beyond those of vessels built
according to older designs. Like the other frigates of her generation she allied speed and firepower, allowing her to rival
those of the Royal Navy. But what did Hermione look like?
Surprisingly, nothing specific remains concerning her, except for the information that she was constructed on the same plans
as Concorde, built in 1777. As it turns out, Concorde’s lines were taken off by the Royal Navy after her capture in 1783, and
the plans were kept at the NMM in Greenwich.
It is fair to believe that Hermione is similar. However, the plans reveal some peculiarities specific to Concorde, which is and
not present on Hermione. Her battery is pierced for 14 gunports to each side, not counting the chase ports. The arrangement
of the gunports, which is obviously different, results in a reduction of the quarter-galleries volume. Finally, between 1777
and 1783, the existing frigates were the object of many modifications that Concorde was not spared. What were they
compared to the original? Did they also apply to Hermione? Although she was built on the same plans as Concorde,
Hermione was distinguished by some notable differences in her overall aspect.
Her looks were thus undefined and remained to be discovered!
Gathering all historical and archeological elements, refering to different works dealing with contemporaneous naval
construction and examining the plans of similar frigates, on the strength of his experience on the subject Jean-Claude
Lemineur attempts to give to Hermione a look that is the most probably close to reality.
COMPOSITION OF THE MONOGRAPH
An initial chapter is concerned with the nautical qualities known aspects of Hermione.
that warships must have possessed. They were especially Thirty-four plates, most of them with comments, provide
mediocre for vessels built during the 17th century and the a detailed picture of the ship.
first half of the 18th because of the use of obsolete concepts.
The new design concepts that were adopted toward
the end of that period are described next, as well as the
improvements in performance and sea-going capabilities
that resulted.
A second chapter is the object of a detailed study
of documents concerned with the architecture and
characteristics of sister-frigates, a study that allows the
identification in a plausible manner, of the various poorly

LISTE OF THE PLATES au 1/48th

1. Schematic elevation 18. Between-decks plan
2. Schematic plan view 19. Timbering of the gundeck and castles
3. Vertical view of frames 20. Gundeck and its furniture
4. Construction of the stern 21. Castles and their furniture
5. Construction of the stern-frame 22. Lengthwise section
6. Construction of the hawse pieces I 23. Cross-sections
7. Construction of the hawse pieces II 24. Built-up elevation
8. Profiles of aft frames 1 to 6 25. Decoration of the stem and stern-frame
9. Profiles of aft frames 7 to 12 26. Artillery and furniture
10. Profiles of aft frames 13 to 19 27. Elements of furniture
11. Profiles of aft frames 20 to 29 28. Plans of masts and yards
12. Profiles of the main frame and forward frames 1 to 5 29. Mast fittings
13. Profiles of forward frames 6 to 11 30. Mainmast masts and rigging
14. Profiles of forward frames 12 to 18 31. Foremast masts and rigging
15. Profiles of forward frames 19 to 24 32. Mizzen masts and rigging
16. Timbered elevation 33. Running rigging (1/72 scale)
17. Plan of the bottom of the hold 34. Hermione under sail (1/72 scale)

Published by A.N.C.R.E., 130 avenue de Gairaut Allée des Citronniers - 06100 Nice - France - www.ancre.fr
 RIGGED MODEL HULL ALONE Extracts from the plans
Length Width Height Length Width Height
140 70 110 101 24 22
Centimeters
 HERMIONE
LAFAYETTE’S FRIGATE
W hereas Hermione is indeed the vessel that forewarned
American patriots fighting England, about the arrival
of the French fleet and the troops led by Rochambeau, it was
at the service of the American also a symbol of the rebirth of the French military Navy.
independence After having triumphantly landed the Marquis de Lafayette
in Boston, the frigate was the first French ship to have taken
A study accompanied by historical aboard the United States Congress. She then fought brilliantly
documents from 1764 to 1793 for almost 18 months in the service of the American cause. In
Patrick Villiers combats against the Royal Navy off New York and Louisburg,
Jean-Claude Lemineur captain Latouche-Tréville displayed the talent that brought him
to become one of Napoleon’s best admiral. Before sailing on
Hermione, Gilbert de Lafayette financed his own ship Victoire in 1777, with the assistance of Louis XVI’s secret service. The
sale of its cargo of weaponry financed his glorious 1777 to 1778 campaign that owed him the rank of an American general, and
allowed him to become the friend of Washington and other main insurgent generals. The crossing of the Atlantic by Lafayette and
Hermione symbolizes four years of indefectible support of the American cause by France. Here Patrick Villiers and Jean-Claude
Lemineur offer us the opportunity to join the destinies of two heroes of the Amerivan War of Independence with a beautiful
frigate, representative of the victorious struggle for control of the Atlantic Ocean indispensible for the independence of the United
States. From the names of the crew members to the commissioning of Hermione trough the cargo of weaponry of Victoire, many
documents had been lost in archives up to now, or were only known by a few specialists.

BOOK MAKEUP
A book in I. Lafayette, the legends and realities of the first X. Latouche-Treville, from the Rossignol to Hermione.
the engagement in the service of the Patriots. XI. Hermione’s crew in 1780.
23x31 cm Lafayette, a minor under the control of his inlaws, XII. Hermione and Lafayette, the voyage to Boston
the Victoire’s cargo, what value and for what profit? XIII. Hermione and Latouche-Treville in the service of
format. Lafayette in the face of his destiny. the insurgents, 1780 - 1781: the combat against Iris,
The book II. 1775-1778, first the warships, the frigates from in patrol along the East coast, in the service of
has 220 1764 to 1767, Choiseul’s plan, the threat to Ternay, the first battle of the Chesapeake.
pages full Rochefort and the renewal. XIV. Lafayette and Yorktown, Hermione’s contribution
color, with III. The importance of maritime trade and its protection to the conflict: the Louisburg combat.
over 230 by both sides, the rôle of corvettes while waiting for XV. From the American missions to the service of comte
illustrations. frigates, the beginning of war in Europe, the victory of de Grasse and the return to France.
Ushant and the necessity for an alliance with Spain. XVI. From Peru, a new captain and missions in the South
IV. The conflict in the United States. Lafayette from Atlantic and in the Indian Ocean in Suffren’s service
Brandywine to Valley Forge, Lafayette becomes a 1782 - 1784.
soldier and Washington’s adopted son. XVII. XVII. Hermione from the end of Louis XVI’s reign
V. 1778, the French Navy on the American coasts, Lafayette to the Revolution and the wreck.
and Admiral d’Estaing, from Newport to Boston. XVIII. The wreck of the Hermione in the twentieth century.
VI. Return to France, Comte de Broglie’s plan and the XIX. Annexes: The Hermione’s muster book.
1779 landing attempt. Lafayette at Le Havre. Hermione’s guns
VII. A new start for America, Ternay and the expedition’s The frigates’ figureheads and decorations
preparations, Lafayette and Rochambeau. Plot of Lafayette’s 1780 voyage from the ship’s
VIII. Hermione, from the decision to build it to the choice logbook.
of the engineer Henri Chevillard, so-called The Elder. Extract from the Hermione’s and Rossignol’s
IX. A frigate that was built in six months, a model logbooks
construction.

Extracts from the plans

Published by A.N.C.R.E., 130 avenue de Gairaut Allée des Citronniers - 06100 Nice - France - www.ancre.fr
 Extracts from some illustrations

p Lafayette and Washington at Brandywine in 1779: under

Washington’s eyes, Lafayette asserted himself in the eyes of
Americans by his bravery as well as his tactical ability. He earned
his stars as an American general in combat.
t Logbook of the Hermione, one of three written by Latouche-
Tréville

p Combat between Belle-Poule and Arethusa by Rossel

u A portrait of Latouche-Tréville by George Rouget in 1841,
de Cercy. This first engagement heralded the start of a
from the Musée de l’Histoire de France at Versailles. According
long series of victories by French frigates. The drafts of
to Napoléon the 1st, who made him an admiral in 1803, Latouche-
Belle-Poule, built a Bordeaux in 1766 were a considerable
Tréville was the best French admiral of the Revolution and Empire
inspiration for the construction of the Rochefort frigates, and in
eras. He showed himself to be one of the best frigate commanders
particular Hermione. Commissioned by Louis XVI to produce
of the War of Independence, not only by transporting Lafayette,
representations of the combats of the War of Independence,
but also in the service of the American cause from Louisburg to
Rossel de Cercy is a precious and particularly reliable reference.
Yorktown.

t A sidescript on
Lafayette’s voyage from
L a t o u c h e - Tr é v i l l e ’s
logbook that enabled
us to recreate precisely
Lafayette’s trip aboard
Hermione, the speeds
that were attained and
the struggle against bad
weather.
 his new monograph originated from the exceptional
CAVELIER de LA SALLE
THE 1684 EXPEDITON T
discovery, in 1995, of the remnants of this small ship that
was part of Cavellier de la Salle’s expedition in 1684. The
LA BELLE information given by the ship wreck could then be added to
archives information in order to reconstitute in a plausible way
A 1/36th SCALE MONOGRAPH this modest ship rightly named La Belle, as you can see with
The book includes all timbering plans her representation on this document cover. This monograph
has an archeological, historical and artistic value. It also
Jean BOUDRIOT stems from our concern to continue studying 17th century
French naval architecture (see M. de Tourville’s Three-decker
ship). Of course, La Belle is much reduced in size, but she is
nevertheless a tremendous learning experience.
Hardback Volume John de Bry wrote the historic part of the book (page 8 to 21), relating Cavellier de la Salle’s life, his 1684
expedition and his tragic death. Then James E. Bruseth and Layne Hedrick relate the ship wreck’s discovery, the use of extensive
means to explore it and then they describe the results of the search (pages 22 to 34).
The first part being presented by historians and archeologists, the second part is dedicated to reconstituting La Belle, first by
examining the sources (pages 35 to 46), which are fundamental to this work.
The monograph itself includes twenty plates followed by the rigging rules, illustrated with schemas in order to complement the
various drawings and notes.
Jean-Claude Lemineur’s study then deals with the volumetric definition of the hull.
Nearly 90 pages were necessary to constitute a “real construction file” (pages 47 to 134).
The monograph ends with an outstanding series of shots of three models of La Belle, built by the talented Bernard Frölich, Henri
Defresne and Etienne Piette (pages 135 to 155).

PRESENTATION OF THE MONOGRAPH

24 x 31cm format, full grey-blue cloth strong The plates are already reproduced in the hardback
binding,laminated inside dust jacket. volume at 1/48th scale.
160-p. (including 22 color pages) square spine They are gathered here to build the model at 1/36th
pasted and sewn booklet, 160 gr. offset paper scale.

LISTS OF PLATES at 1/36th

1 Elevation 14 Deck third stage
2 Horizontal sections 15 Fitted elevation
3 Vertical sections 16 Front et rear views
4 Frames (1) 17 Fitting, guns, décoration etc.
5 Frames (2) 18 Mast and spars, rigging
6 Longitudinal timbers 19 Sails (1/48)
7 Frame elevation 20 La Belle sailing (1/36th)
8 Bow timbers
9 Stern timbers
10 Cross sections
11 Longitudinal section
12 Deck, first stage
13 Deck second stage

MODEL RIGGED HULL Extracts from the plans

Lenght Width Height Lenght Width Height
90 45 77 82 22 27
 his monograph is the first in the series to be devoted to a
64 GUN SHIP
FLEURON T
ship of the line. It is of particular interest since the ship
we have chosen, the Fleuron - as it was conceived by Blaise
from the shipbuilders Ollivier - is the first modern French ship. Moreover it represents
Joseph and Blaise Ollivier a pure example of the French school of naval architecture. An
1729 exceptionally complete corpus of documentation includes
a full description of the classification and characteristics of
Monograph the ships, its creator’s own drawings, original sketches of the
ship’s decoration and sculptures by Caffieri, and a complete set
Accompanied by twenty four 1/48th of information on the ship’s rigging found in a manuscript of
plates, two 1/96th and 1/72nd plates the period. Because of the catastrophic losses incurred in our
archives, it is extremely rare for us to have been able to collect so much material from irrefutable historical sources.
Gérard Delacroix, who did the drawings for the monograph, is a professional draftsman and a talented ship’s model builder. He
assisted his mentor, Jean Boudriot, in developing and completing this study which we are particularly pleased to offer in our collection.
The distinguished features of the vessel will attract the attention of discerning model builders. Its superb hull, elegant timbers
perfectly defined and described, oblique inner planking, iron knees, bronze and iron cannon, French riggings with round tops all
make the construction of this model a formidable challenge. An alternative model of the rigging without timbers may also be built
using the instructions at 1/72th scale.
The Fleuron was actively involved in very few combat operations but her career was an unusual one in that she cruised the Baltic
Sea, where French squadrons rarely ventured, on three occasions. One of these expeditions affords us the opportunity to describe
the preparation of a royal ship for a ball that was given on board.

COMPOSITION OF THE MONOGRAPH

- 135 p. monograph, 24 x 31cm format, including: - Measurements and scantlings of timber pieces
- Blaise Ollivier’s manuscript - Description of the rigging
- J.J. Caffieri’s decorations, rigging manuscript, 1732 - Complete retranscription of B. Ollivier’s manuscript
- A biography of B. Ollivier with a bibliography
- A computer-assisted note on the drawings
- The history of the Fleuron 1729-1745
- Archival excerpts on the Baltic cruises and on a ball given on
board the Bourbon
- Annotated Study of the plates

LISTS OF PLATES

1- Schematic views bow 20·21·22 - Fitting (1/72th scale)

2- Vertical sections 12 - Ceiling of the hull 23 - Masts and yards 28 - Belaying plan. Blocks
3- General view of the 13 - Cross sections 24 - Fitting of the masts (in the text).
timbers. 14 - Longitudinal section 25·26 - Sails (1/96th scale) 29 - Various.
4·5·6 - Drawings of 62 frames and accommodations 27 - Full view under sail
7- Axial timbers and in the hull
longitudinal section of 15 - Gun deck
the timbers 16 - Upper deck
8- The riders and deck 17 - Forecastle, quaterdeck
cambers and poop
9- Fore woodwork 18 - Overview and
10 - Stern woodwork overhead views
11 - Construction of the 19 - Front and rear views

RIGGED MODEL HULL ALONE Extracts from the plans

Length Width Height Length Width Height
148 58 115 116 27 34
Centimeters
 his monograph is intended for those who want to practice
JACINTHE
GOÊLETTE
T ship’s model building but do not have extensive experience.
A basic model building method is included for them in this
1823 monograph.
With a little care and skill, the method leads to the construction
1823 History of the schooner in the french of a model from prime quality material, since wood will be
navy& monograph method of model building exposed on a planked hull. This monograph must be considered
as an initiation to «The art of model building».
The DE LA MORANDIÈRE Engineer Confirmed ship’s model builders will also be interested in the
Schooner elegance of this small schooner, created by its fine underwater
hull and its light rigging. They should find the lines of Jacinthe
quite appealing.
Those readers who are more specifically interested in naval archeology will find in this monograph a necessary addition to previous
studies, as it deals with brigs, cutters, and luggers. These constructions complement the building of schooners. The historical and
technical study of this type of ship is given with an extended iconography.

COMPOSITION OF THE MONOGRAPH

Text and - History - Various representations of schooners (P. Ozanne - F.
iconography, - Remarks on the avisos Roux - J.J. Baugean)
- Schooners in the French navy
format - General points on schooner rigging - Monograph
24x31cm - Various schooner designs - Commentaries on the plates
including: - Notes on schooner rigging - Rigging rules
- Presentation of La Jacinthe with a study of the 12 French carronade - Photos of the Topaze model’s hull

Set of 5 1. Defining the hull, drawing out the waterlines, drawing Two sets of plans are provided. One is incorporated into
plates, the frames in order to make the model and draws for the the text, with plates 1 to 4 at 1:48th scale, plate 5 at 1:100th
scale. The other set is independent with five plates at 1:48th
1:48th scale
stem and the stern with lower counter and stern.
2. Disposition of the planked hull, front and back views. scale.
Longitudinal section of the deck. Plan of planked deck
and upper works. Building method
3. Half plan of the deck for bulwark making. Cross - Foreword
sections. Drawings of fittings, bits, partners etc. - Suggested method
4. Spars, guns, anchors, boat etc. Representation of square - Photos illustrating the method
sails ( topsail and topgallant) and their foremast rigging. - Photos of a model in progress.
5. La Jacinthe sailing.

Some photos

MODEL RIGGED HULL Extracts from the plans

Lenght Width Height Lenght Width Height
90 20 120 62 20 20
cm.
 esides their service usage aboard ships, longboats were
ARMED
LONGBOAT
B
also used for more warlike tasks. They could be used
for the protection of harbor entrances or roads, as well as
1834 support for landings in enemy territory. In this case, the
longboat was then referred to as an armed longboat. For
MONOGRAPH WITH 6 PLATES, such occasions, it was modified temporarily by installing a
1:36TH SCALE forward-firing chase gun atop the thowarts. This gun was
The book includes all timbering plans guided by a system of slides bolted to the thwarts. It was
not a “gunboat”, which was a well-defined, larger and often
Gérard DELACROIX
decked boat-type, but a regular ship’s boat armed with a
large-caliber cannon.
The longboat described here is 13.00 meters long., 3.49
meters wide under the planking and 1.40 meters depth-in-hold. The plates with comments are from a plan dated 1834 of the
Atlas de Génie Maritime.
Gérard Delacroix, a talented modeler, describes (in 40 pages and 52 color photographs) his construction method for modeling
beginners who may only have simple tools.
8 pages booklet with comments on the plates and 40 page construction method for beginners.

COMPOSITION OF THE PLATES

Set of 6 I forms the basis for the reconstruction, all lines the drawings should be examined together, thus
plates, taken from the original draught. allowing a better understanding of the whole.
th II shows the framing of the boat by bending V contains details regarding the fashioning and
1:36 scale
frames over a mold or plug. installation of the armament. In addition, there
III gives the details of the skeleton of the longboat. are details of certain other fittings such as the
IV illustrates precisely the details of the boat. rudder-irons and the method of stepping the
The plan view, inboard profile and the four small mizzen-mast known as a jigger-mast.
transverse sections define all the elements used VI This plate shows the completed longboat,
to complete the hull. As with the previous Plate, armed, and with the gun rigged.

HULL ALONE
Length Width Height
Extracts from the plans
37 10 7
Centimeters
 he ships of the Mediterranean are not often well-known or

XEBEC
REQUIN T
documented. As a consequence we felt it necessary to preface
this monograph with a study of those ships, limited to those in
1750 the service of the Royal Navy in Toulon, with the addition of
those ships that constituted the commercial version of the xebec.
A monograph including all plans of the As usual our sources are comprised exclusively of documents of
timber works
the period, with no “second hand” information. We follow our
Jean BOUDRIOT usual order of presentation. Not a simple booklet that is merely
Hubert BERTI a companion-piece to the plates, this volume is a complete study
whose subject justifies its importance.
Feluccas, brigantines, oared galiots, half-galleys, tartans, lateen
bark, polaccas, pinks, and finally xebecs are successively examined. This monograph on the xebec Le Requin is based on
documentation that gives us a complete picture of this ship. Painstaking research has allowed us to collect period plans of this
vessel, exhaustive information on its rigging as well as the full history of the ship in peace time, at the beginning of its career,
then through its racing campaign during the Seven Years’ War, and finally a full account of a 1762 squadron expedition under
the orders of Monsieur de Bompard.

COMPOSITION OF THE MONOGRAPH

153 p. booklet, - A study of Mediterranean ships in the port of Toulon at 1:48th scale
- A study of the xebec - Commentary on 21 photographs of a period model ofLe
24 x 31 cm - Xebecs in the Royal Navy, 1750-1779, Requin
format, - The xebec Le Requin, its description, history, 1762 - All rigging rules for xebecs
- Glossary
including: expedition
- Detailed commentary with full explanation of the plates - Commentary on 13 photographs of details of the rigging.

A set of - 22 plates at 1:48th scale showing details of the timber

works, the rigging and fitting with an illustration of all
23 plates the frames and full details of the prow and stern
including: formations at 1:48th scale.
- A plate at 1:72th scale which may be used for building
the model at this scale.

MODEL RIGGED HULL Extracts from the plans

Lenght Width Height Lenght Width Height
124 26 82 110 23 24
cm.
 Bomb ketchs were invented by the French in the 1660s in
SALAMANDRE order to bombard port towns on the Barbary coast more
The bomb ketch efficiently.
1758 Despite our thorough research, we were unable to find
MONOGRAPH enough documents to present you with a ship’s model from
this period with our usual riguour. But we did gather some
Including all timbers plans (1/48th) and exceptional historical and technical documents on the 1752
interior accomodations of the ship. Salamandre.
Jean BOUDRIOT The monograph on La Salamandre gives a detailed
Hubert BERTI description of the timbers and interior accomodations of
the ship. In fact, our patient search resulted in the discovery
of the personal archives of the Salamandre’s Captain,
Lieutenant Perrot du Bourget.
We were therefore able to match official documents with the observations and very pertinent remarks of this vessel’s own
captain.
Such documentation is unique. With it we were able to improve upon our usual presentation by including multiplying
drawings so that ship’s model builders could construct the ship’s framework with the utmost precision. The basic structure
is of particular interest because of the installation of two very large sea-mortars.
The numerous models of the Salamandre that our readers have shown us attest to the fact that by reading this monograph
they were able to build excellent models and occasionally a masterpiece.

COMPOSITION OF THE MONOGRAPH

A 138 page - The history of bomb ketch in the French style, and - The Bombardments of the Moroccan ports of Sale
the history of other sea-mortars holders. and Larrache.
brochure, - The description of the French bomber galiot and - Detailed commentaries giving extensive
24x31 cm its use. explanations of the thirty four plates at 1:48th scale.
format, - La Salamandre 1752-1791 - a detailed report of - Commentaries on thirty-one photos of the model
including: the 1765 campaign. of a bomb ketch of the period, 1:18th scale.
- Complete nomenclature of fittings and rigging.

COMPOSITION OF THE PLATES

A 38-plate set - 1 color plate giving the color scheme of the period
- 3 plates with detailed commentaries on the blocks
including - 34 plates at 1:48th scale representing :
- Details of the timbers, with all the frames and details
of the head and stern structures at 1:48th scale.
- Details of the fittings
- Details of the rigging.

RIGGED MODEL HULL ALONE Extracts from the plans

Length Width Height Length Width Height
90 20 120 62 20 20
Centimeters
 his book deals with a vessel belonging to the early navy
BONHOMME T
of the United States of America. The ship won fame
during the American Revolutionary War under the command
RICHARD of the famous captain John Paul Jones. A former East India
Pirate ship Company 900-ton ship, it was repurchased by Louis XVI in
A 1/48 SCALE MONOGRAPH order for John Paul Jones to take its command.
Le Bonhomme Richard (whose name is an homage to
Set of 26 plates at 1:48 scale Benjamin Franklin ‘s Poor Richard’s Almanack) headed up
a division in a very bold privateer campaign on the English
Jean BOUDRIOT coasts. This campaign ended in a violent and spectacular
fight against the English vessel Serapis and its capture in
September 1779.
The goal of this monograph is a reconstruction of Le Bonhomme Richard in its most genuine form. Jean Boudriot was the
only person capable of doing so, with his intricate knowledge of the East India Company’s navy. He presents here a vessel
built in France but sailing under the Stars and Stripes, thus furthering our knowledge of the French navy at the time of the
American Revolutionary War.

COMPOSITION OF THE MONOGRAPH

A 64-page - John Paul Jones, US NAVY vessel captain - Note on metal works
brochure, - The battle of Cape Flaniborough - Marks and flags, paint
- Remarks on reconstructing Le Bonhomme - Presentations of models
24x31cm
Richard - The designs are intended to facilitate construction
format, - Commentaries on the plates of the framework.
including: - Rigging rules
- Guns

COMPOSITION OF THE PLATES

Set of 26 plates - Frame, waterlines, sections - Fittings
at 1:48th scale - Wooded frame; structure - Masts and spars, rigging, sails
- Layout of the structure of the hull, drawing of - Definition of the hull at 1:64th scale
(except plates
all frames at 1:48th scale
24, 25 and 26 at - Design of decks
1:64th scale) - Cross and longitudinal sections
including: - Ship’s boat, anchors, guns

RIGGED MODEL HULL ALONE Extracts from the plans

Length Width Height Length Width Height
110 62 87 86 22 24
Centimeters
 he renewal of the French Navy after the Seven Years’ War was responsible
Cotre
LE CERF T
for the commission of many new naval constructions, in particular, the
building of a series of large cutters, begun in 1779, some measuring 75 feet in
1779 - 1780 length, bearing 14 guns and others measuring 81 feet in length, armed with 18
6-pdr guns. As the prototype of this model, we have chosen Le Cerf which was
A 1/48 SCALE built at Saint Malo according to the shipbuilder Denys’s plans and launched on
MONOGRAPH 2 March 1779.
Build by Denys Command of the ship was confided to ship’s ensign Varages who sailed the
Britanny coast and engaged in the ship’s first active combat with two English
Jean BOUDRIOT cutters on 21 June of the same year. After repairs were completed, the Cerf
Hubert BERTI resumed sailing but was struck by lightning on 17 July. We have a detailed
account of this fortunately rare occurrence.
After putting in at Lorient, the Cerf was put under the command of John Paul Jones, Captain of the U.S. Navy, as part of a
division sailing under the American flag - including Le Bonhomme Richard, La Pallas, L’Alliance and La Vengeance - that
cruised the British coastline.
On 23 August off the Irish coast, the Cerf is enlisted to search for the long boat of the Bonhomme Richard carrying seven
deserters. Foul weather interrupts the search and the disabled Cerf abandons its mission.
In his vivid and detailed reports up to February 1780, Varages fully represents the role of a ship of lighter tonnage which
was essential to a great military navy for bearing dispatches, as well as for protecting the coastline, coasting vessels and
fishing fleets.

COMPOSITION OF THE MONOGRAPH

A 138 page - Evolution of the brigantine from the Musée de la Marine.

brochure, Bermuda-rigged sloop to the cutter - History of the campaigns of the cutter Le Cerf.
- History of the cutter in the French Royal Navy - Detailed commentary with all necessary
24x31 cm
- List of 27 cutter-rigged ships appearing in the information on the 11 plates with the drawings
format, lists of the French navy 1756-1781. of details.
including: - Commentary and analysis of 14 photographs - Full glossary of superstructure and rigging terms.
of models of cutters in the collection of the

LISTS OF PLATES at 1/48th

A set of 11 1 Definition of the hull, longitudinal drawings, 10 Square sails
plates on vertical sections of the ribs 11 General view of the fore-and-aft sails.
2 Definition of the hull, drawings of the planking.
cartographer’s
3 Plan of the deck and profile of the midship
paper at 1:48th frame.
scale including: 4 View of the hull, long. section, front view.
5 Plan of the fitted-out deck, rear view.
6 Cross-sections
7-8 Fitting
9 Masting elements, mast yards rigging.

RIGGED MODEL HULL ALONE Extracts from the plans

Length Width Height Length Width Height
90 20 120 62 20 20
Centimeters
 he frigate La Vénus, referred to as an 18-pdr because
VÉNUS
18 GUNSHOT FRIGATE
Tof the caliber of her main artillery, was conceived and
designed by the engineer Sané and built in Brest in 1782.
1782
It is one of the prototypes of the 143 similar frigates which
of SANÉ engineer were to be built in every port of France and continental
th
A 1/72 Monograph Europe from 1780 to the end of the French Empire.
Often imitated by the British, Sané’s 18-pdr frigates enjoyed
Jean BOUDRIOT remarkable success during their lengthy career. The last
Hubert BERTI ones, built at the end of the Empire (1813) were not dropped
from the lists until about 1850.
The French archives abound in accounts of the valorous actions led by Sané’s frigates. Other episodes, like the story of the
Médusé whose wreck was found on the banks of the Arguin are less commandable.
The documentation we offer here brings the Vénus to life. Further research, which was facilitated by documents in French
and British archives, as well as archives in the many other countries occupied by the French Empire, enables the construction
of the Vénus and other frigates of the same type with a particular decoration or distinguished military career. The Vénus
herself had a non-combative and humanitarian career. Her captain, de Rossily, the former commander of the lugger Le
Coureur at the time of the famous battle of La Belle Poule, sailed her on a voyage of discovery in the Red Sea, the Persian
Gulf, and the Indian Ocean before her complete disappearance during a hurricane with all crew and cargo, on 31 December
1788 after having set sail from Saint Paul de la Réunion.

COMPOSITION OF THE MONOGRAPH

75 p. booklet, I The history of frigates in the French navy IV History of the campaign of the Vénus in the Indian
II Analysis of the results of research which enabled Ocean from 1785 to 1788
24x31cm the writing of the monograph V Detailed commentary with all necessary
format, III Commentary and analysis of 13 photographs of information on the 13 plates at 1:72th scale, with
including: ship’s models in the Musée de la Marine in Paris, several drawings of details of fitting at 1:36th scale
two paintings by François Roux and two plates VI Complete vocabulary of fitting and rigging.
from the Atlas du génie maritime (The Atlas of
Naval Genius)

LISTS OF PLATES
A set of 13 I Shape of the hull, longitudinal plans VII Fitting and details
II Shape of the hull, cross-cut plans, front and rear VIII Elements of the masting
plates at 1:72th views of the frigate, cross-sections IX Elements of rigging for masts and various
scale III Planking of the hull pieces of fitting
including: IV Construction of the head,and the quatergaleries X Longitudinal sails and standing rigging
in the stern. XI Installing the square sails of the foremast and
V Plan of the ship’s battery and a partial mainmast, issue of rigging on the outside of the
longitudinal section. hull
VI Plan of the forecastle and partial longitudinal XII Installing the square sails of the mizzenmast,
section. issue of rigging on the deck.

Extracts from the plans and photos

 HISTORIC T he collections of the Musée de la Marine possess an
extraordinary number of ship’s models of exceptional
SHIP’S MODELS representative of the apogee of the French sailing ship were
quality and interest. Only those models deemed to be

in the “Musée de la Marine”. selected for this publication. Without doubt more examples
The book has 288 pages on the collections could have been chosen, but their publication would have
of the Museum of the Navy. required two volumes instead of one.
359 color photographs. We are proud to present this deluxe volume and hope that it
commented by Jean Boudriot will stimulate a further acquaintance with the “French Naval
Archeology Collection”. This new book addresses itself to
specialists, be they ship’s model builders or not, as well as to amateurs who will be enchanted by the beauty of the models.
The combination of beautiful illustrations and an intriguing text make this an incomparable work. Superior quality photography
allows the viewer to scrutinize the models more closely than if he or she were standing before the piece itself in its museum
case.
Our concern has also been to preserve this collection of photographs for future viewers as well as to expand its audience. These
models constitute an exceptional body of documentation that is now safe from harm’s way.
The models are an evocative reminder of the sailing ships of yesteryear. Moreover they provide a storehouse of information not
readily available from archival or printed sources. Recognizably an important element of our cultural heritage, they must be
valued as such. We hope that readers will appreciate the caliber of the models as they discover the richness of the collections
in the celebrated Musée de la Marine in Paris.

TABLES OF CONTENTS
LE REQUIN Xebec 24 guns - 1750 (22 photos) LA FLORE 18-pdr frigate - 1804
74- GUN SHIP 1755 (33 photos) (25 photos)
LE SANS PAREIL 110 guns - 1757 (42 photos) LA CRÉOLE 24-gun sloop-of-war - 1827
L’ARTÉSIEN 64 gun ship- 1762 (29 photos) (25 photos)
L’OCÉAN Three-decker (118 guns) -1786 (14 photos) L’ESPÉRANCE 16- gun brig - 1810 (30 photos)
LE TRIOMPHANT 74-gun ship - 1804 LE COTRE 16- gun cutter - 1811 (16 photos)
(18 photos) LA LIONNE 380 tx transport-ship - 1811
LE FRIEDLAND 80- gun ship - 1807 (16 photos) (16 photos)
LE RIVOLI 74 gun ship - 1807 (29 photos) LA FOUDROYANTE 1803 - (15 photos)

Extracts from the book

 his book is devoted to the history of a ship whose very
THE FRIGATES
French Marine
T name evokes deep historical resonances, the frigate. The
reader follows the evolution of frigates in the French navy
1650-1850 from their origin in the 1660s to the mid-19th century when
the sailing wood military navy reached an end.
Contents of the Historical Study of The evolution of frigates may be divided into two phases. The
Frigates first phase is characterized by the use of small two-decker
vessels and of modest ships called light frigates. This period
Jean Boudriot ended around 1750 when small vessels were no longer used,
Hubert Berti to the “benefit” of the frigate. No longer qualified as “light”,
frigates then gained characteristics and qualities that were
to transform them into “modern frigates”, with guns and
dimensions that increased constantly in this second phase.
This historical study begins with a general orientation presenting an overview of subsequent chapters. Each chapter deals
with a specific class of frigates, characterized by the caliber of their guns. Each chapter opens with a text that historically
and technically locates the main characteristics of the class of frigate presented in the chapter. Guided by this over arching
presentation, the reader can then proceed easily through the various plans, diagrams, tables, commentaries and notes relating
to the study of each class.
The following chapter gathers general and comparative data whose collective elements give an overall evaluation of
previous chapters, thanks to numerous sketches, graphs and tables which sometimes analyze frigates in relation to other
vessels. The chapter ends with a recapitulation that summarizes the designation and main characteristics of 600 frigates in
the French Navy.
The following chapter deals with all aspects of the evolution of frigates: accommodations, guns, decorations, masts and
spars, sails, etc. over two centuries.
The final chapter gathers nearly 70 photos of ship models belonging to the collections of the Musée de la Marine.
The original period documents reproduced and gathered in this book constitute a corpus that is without equal. This study is
unprecedented in the history of French naval architecture.
Illustrations are abundant, with 106 plans of ships, 92 reproductions of documents of the time, 68 photos and 48 statements,
numerical tables, graphs and indexes. In short, this book is a genuine encyclopedia of frigates.

CONTENTS OF THE HISTORICAL STUDY OF FRIGATES

Large volume 24 x 31cm Contents : The Frigate

format, full grey-blue cloth Foreword La Belle Poule
General remarks Modèle:
binding, sewn with headband. B. Frölich
Chap. I - The Frigate-Vessels, 1640-1756
Inside cover with a four-color II - The Light Frigates, 1659-1744 Paris
reproduction of the frigate La III - The 8-pdr Frigates, 1740-1774
Pomone by F. Roux. IV - The 12-pdr Frigates, 1748-1798
350 pages, 115 g paper with V - The 18-pdr Frigates, 1781-1813
VI - The 24-pdr Frigates, 1772-1843
an inset plate replica of the VII - The 30-pdr Frigates, 1805-1846
inside cover. VIII - Comparative and General Data
IX - Aspects of Development
Collection of photographs of ship models.

Extracts from the pages

 This monograph presents the gabare; a transport vessel used
GROS VENTRE by the Navy to supply the dockyards, squadrons at sea and
Gabare the colonies. The first gabares appeared around 1715. They
1766 - 1779 were used for the transport of masting and framing timbers.
Originally small vessels of 40 to 130 tons, their size will
34 plates at 1:48th scale increase; up to 480 tons by the beginning of the 19th century
Gerard DELACROIX and these vessels were fitted and laid out according to their
use as they had diverse functions.

Fortuitously a gabare will participate in the Kerguelen

expedition in 1772. She was adequately named
Le Gros Ventre. She will eventually be abandoned by
Kerguelen and sailing alone under the command of M. de St Allouarn, she will discover the west coast of Australia in March
of 1772. The ownership of this land was written in the name of the King, placed in glass bottles and buried at the location
of this landing. In 1998, the bottles were unearthed, which provoked great interest for Le Gros Ventre and her commander
M. de St Allouarn. This would be a determining factor in the choice of this gabare as a subject since her draughts are
preserved in Vincennes at the Service Historique de la Marine.

In consequence of the excellent work by Gerard Delacroix, the French Naval Archeology Collection is greatly enriched with
this monograph; an original work treating of this type of vessel.
COMPOSITION OF THE MONOGRAPH
132 page book The gabares Le Gros Ventre monograph
- Presentation of the vessels. - Commentary on the 34 plates.
24 x 31 cm - The gabares at sea and their comportment. - Note about the orlop deck.
format - The reconstitution of Le Gros Ventre. - The water hold and barrels.
including - The Main sources. - Metal work.
forewords by - Reconstitution of the draughts. - The rigging of Le Gros Ventre.
- The voyage of Le Gros Ventre - Contracts for the timbers
Jean Boudriot - The Kerguelen Islands - Paint - colours for Le Gros Ventre.
- Transcript of the logs kept by M. Boigueheneuc - Photos of the model by Vincent Davenas,
and M. de Rosily. 29 photos captioned by Gerard Delacroix.
- The west coast of Australia, the “Baie des Chiens
Marins” in Nouvelle Holland, on March 30, 1772.
- The fitting of the gabares as exploration vessels:
Commentary of 7 draughts by M. d’Auribeau for
the gabare “La Recherche”, expedition of
d’Entrecasteaux in 1791.

THE LIST OF THE 1:48th SCALE PLATES; including all the framing timbers
1 Defining the hull. 13 The deck plan. 24 Top view.
2 Vertical sections. 14 Forecastle and quarter deck. 25 Great view: with all the arrangements.
3 Hull horizontal sections. 15 Longitudinal framing section. 26 Front and stern views.
4 Axial timbering. 16 Construction of the head 27 Masts and yards.
5 · 6 · 7 The frames and riders 17 Stern and quarter gallery. 28 Mast fittings.
8 Stern framing. 18 · 19 Fittings 29 Blocks.
9 Framing the front. 20 Layout of the hold. 30 · 31 Sails
10 Framing. 21 Layout of the deck fittings. 32 Belaying points.
11 The transversal sections. 22 Forecastle and quaterdeck layout. 33 Standing rigging and longitudinal sails.
12 Plan of the hold. 23 Longitudinal layout. 34 Le Gros Ventre under sails

MODÈLE GRÉE COQUE SEULE Extracts from the plans

Longueur Largeur Hauteur Longueur Largeur Hauteur
110 42 78 88 17 21
Mesures en cm.
 This 4 volume set is the starting point of our collection and as such
THE 74 is almost essential to the understanding of all our other books. It
gives the definitions of all parts of a ship, “from keel to mast’s
GUN SHIP truck”, illustrated with many detailed drawings. It also explains
1780 how to manœuvre and operate a ship, and what shipboard life was
like. In order to avoid unnecessary repetitions, these explanations
Studying naval archeology and definitions are not given in our other publications, in which you
will find numerous cross-references to “The 74 Gun Ship”.
Ancre - Jean Boudriot,
The Method: while the shape of things to come is not set at the
Hubert Berti - French
beginning of the book, principles are well established there.
Naval Archeology Collection Boudriot started with primary sources by systematically studying
models in the arsenals and by doing daily archival research in every
harbour in France. He neglected nothing: neither the theoretical contributions brought by such authors as Duhamel du Monceau, Romme,
Bouguer or Vial du Clairbois, nor the valuable iconographic documents provided by such draughtmen as Puget, Ozanne, Vernet, Guéroult du
Pas and Sponsky de Passebon, etc. But the practical drawing booknotes of anonymous engineers, the more modest wood estimates by master
carpenters or the inventories of a warehouse were even more important. Only the irrefutable document is to be taken into account: engineers’
plans, construction, equipping and campaigning estimates; correspondence and manuscripts of the time.
Because of his talent as a draughtman and because of his architect’s training, Jean Boudriot is convinced that naval archeology - because it is
a restitution of the past - can only be approached through drawing, the only true means of expression and understanding it. His rigorous and
magical lines, with their lively and familiar style, immerse the reader in the atmosphere of the 17th, 18th and 19th ports and ship building sites
throughout his numerous books.
The Ship: as the main naval war machine at the end of the 18th century, the 74 Gun Ship was the result of a compromise, like every successful
vessel. Her balance between strong guns and manoeuvrability offered by the 28 gun lower gundeck and firing 36 pound cannon-balls, made the
“74” the perfect ship of the line. Since she moved more easily, she was much more useful in combat than the heavy 100 gun three-decker. Her
hull alone represented half of 3.000 tons moving. 2.800 hundred-year-old oak trees (a whole forest), and 600 tons of iron and wood bolts were
needed for her construction. The hold and its orlop-deck could contain victuals for 6 months and water for 12 weeks. The gundeck had to bear
the considerable weight of enormous 36-pdr guns, weighing 4 tons each. The upper deck, covered front and back with castles, carried lighter
guns. This hull rose 7 meters above water and carried prodigious flights of sails. Each of the three masts, in three elements, rigged three floors
of square sails and the main top-mast truck towered at 60 meters. This ship was well designed by her engineer and when correctly used by her
crew, she performed superbly at sea in all weathers. In a fair breeze, she could exceed ten knots by sailing quartering.
THE COMPOSITION OF THE BOOKS
BOOK 1 XIII SAILS: 1. Sailcloth and sailmaking - 2. List of the sails and their
I ADMINISTRATION OF THE PORTS AND DOCKYARDS: proportions.
1. General organisation - 2. Surveyors - 3. Summary table XIV RIGGING: 1. Ropemaking and related skills - 2. Blocks and
II THE WORK OF THE SURVEYORS: block-making - 3. Standing rigging - 4. Running rigging - yards
1. Qualities demanded of a warship - 2. Study of the hull shapes 5. Running rigging - sails - 6. Anchors cables and related ropes
3. Ships’ draughts - 4. Calculations - 5. Specification 7. Rigging of the ship’s boats
III THE WORK OF THE SHIPWRIGHTS: XV MAINTENANCE
1. Moulding in the loft - 2. Marking out and fashionning in the yard GENERAL NOTIONS REGARDING SHIPS OF WAR
IV MATERIALS: 1. Timber - 2. Hemp - 3. Metals NAVY LIST 1780
4. Others materials COST OF BUILDING A 74
V DOCKYARD INSTALLATIONS: 1. Slipway and keel blocks - OTHER NAVAL VESSELS
2. Raising and horning of the timbers - 3. Launching BOOK 4
BOOK 2 XVI THE CREW: 1. Officers - Volunteers - Midshipmen - 2. The
VI HULL TIMBERS: 1. Keel and stem timbers - 2. The station men - 3. The Marines - 4. Supernumeraries
frames - 3. Stern-frames 4. Filling timbers - 5. Reinforcement and XVII OFFICERS AND CREW AT WORK: 1. Functions -
planking of the hold - 6. Construction of the decks - 7. Internal Responsabilities - 2. Watch-bill, Quater-bill, messing 3. Policing
planking above the hold - 8. Description of other inboard works - Discipline - 4. Seamanship - 5. Fighting drill
9. External planking of the hull XVIII LIFE ON BOARD: 1. Clothing - Berthing - Other details
VII FASTENING - CAULKING: 1. Nails, fastening - 2. Nailing, 2. Religious observance - 3. Victuals - 4. Health and health care
fixing of bold - 3. Oakum, pitch XIX SHIPHANDLING: 1. The ship in harbour
TABLES, ETC 2. Anchored in the roads - 3. Shiphandling at sea
VIII HULL FITTING: 1. The bow - 2. The ship’s sides - 3. The stern XX NAVAL EVOLUTIONS AND OPERATIONS:
IX INTERNAL ARRANGEMENTS: 1. The hold and orlop - 2. 1. Single ship evolutions - 2. Fleet operations
The gundeck - 3. The upper deck - 4. The forecastle, quaterdeck XXI NAVIGATION, COLOURS AND SIGNALS:1. Navigation
and poop - 5. The officers’ quarters - 6. Paintwork instruments - 2. Navigation - 3. Flags, colours and signals
X BALLAST AND STOWAGE: 1. Ballast - 2. Stowage - 3. Victuals SUPPLÉMENT
XI WARRANT-OFFICIERS’ STORES: 1. The Bo’sun - 2. The VOCABULARY
Cook and the Baker - 3. The Master - 4. The Carpenter - 5.
The Caulker - 6. The Gunner - 7. The Master-at-Arms and the
Armourer - 8. The ship’s boats - 9. The Chaplain - 10. The
Surgeon - 11. The midshipmen
SUNDRY ITEMS OF STORES
BOOK 3
XII MASTING: 1. General considerations - 2. Type of timber and
mast-making - 3. Standing masts - 4. Others spars and spares
5. Mast furniture.
 ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jean BOUDRIOT is an exceptional the four volumes of “The 74 Gun Ship” thus creating the Boudriot myth.
Frenchman. Originally an architect, he is Since then, he has dedicated his time to scouring the archives in Paris in
an outstanding draughtsman and in only a winter, and to drawing in Charente in summer. For our utmost pleasure,
few years’ time became the first specialist Jean Boudriot regularly publishes the monographs and historical studies
in 17th and 18th century naval architecture. that constitute the French Naval Archeology Collection.
He was first interested in the study of Boudriot is both an author and a publisher. He also teaches the
French statutory arms, on which he weekly naval archeology seminar that takes place in the Musée de la
published four books that were accepted Marine, and gives numerous lectures, most of them in the Sorbonne.
as authorities. In 1960, he moved on to studying naval archeology. He is a talented speaker and hearing him speak on his topic is an
J. Boudriot’s first studies on naval guns, published in 1969 in Neptunia, enchanting event.
are true revelations for amateurs. Between 1973 and 1977, he published

RIGGED MODEL HULL ALONE Extracts from the plates and photos
Length Width Height Length Width Height
90 20 120 62 20 20
Centimeters

Published by A.N.C.R.E., 130 avenue de Gairaut Allée des Citronniers - 06100 Nice - France - www.ancre.fr
 n 1737, Blaise Ollivier, Master Shipwright at Brest, was ordered
18th SHIP I
by Maurepas, the French Minister of the navy, to go to Engnand
and Holland in order to find out everything possible about how ships
BUILDING were build there, and what France might usefully imitate. Ollivier’s
secret mission lasted nearly five months, during which time he visited
1737 all the major naval dockyards of both country except Plymouth. At
the conclusion he wrote a 360-page report entitled “Remarks on the
Remarks on the Navies navies of the English and the Dutch”, discussing everything he had
of the English and the Dutch seen in meticulous details, evaluting English and Dutch practices
and comparing them with techniques used in France, illustrating his
Blaise Ollivier findings with 13 sheets of drawings and plans.
David H. Roberts Blaise Ollivier’s report provides a remarkable insight into shipbuilding
in the 1730’s, a period about which relatively little is know.
The book containt the full texte of the “Remarks” in both the original French and in translation, fully annotated and with a lenghly explanatory
introduction. It is lavishly illustrrated with nearly 100 contemporary engraving, plans, ship draughts and other iconographic material.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
24 x 31cm format, full green cloth II Remarks on the English Navy V Remarks on the Dutch Navy
Deptford Dockyard Amsterdam Dockyard
binding, sewn section with headband. Timbers, scantlings and shipbuilding methods Rotterdam Dockyard
380 pages, 135 gr paper, with nearly 100 Woolwich Dockyard Flushing Dockyard
Timbers, scantlings and shipbuilding methods Veere Dockyard
illustrations and iconographic material. Chatham Dockyard Hellevretsluijs Dockyard
I Introduction Timbers, scantlings and shipbuilding methods Dimensions of ships
Preamble Dockyard installations Timbers, scantlings and shipbuilding methods
Source of the manuscript Dry-docks Divers practices of the Dutch
The Translation Method of Floating Ships into the Docks Repairs and graving
Explanations regarding the Notes Portsmouth Dockyard Masts & Rigging
Historical Background Dimensions of Ships Timber
Published writings on shipbuilding Moulds of the Fore Body and Afterbody
The Originality of the Remarques Timbers, scantlings and shipbuilding methods VI Remarques sur la Marine des Anglois & des
Blaise-Joseph Ollivier: a Biography Repairs and Breaking Hollandois (French text)
Blaise Ollivier as a Civil Engineer Ladrone
“Espionage” Sheerness Dockyard Appendix I: List of Dutch Ships in 1737
Blaise Ollivier’s Mission, and its Impact on The new Manner of Building of the English Appendix II: Bibliography and Sources
French Shipbuilding English Books on Shipbuilding Appendix III: Glossary of Shipbuilding
The Rebuilding of Ships in the English Navy Plymouth Dockyard Terms, by Blaise Ollivier
The Establishments
III List of English ships in 1737
IV Table of Subjects Contained in the Remarks
on the English Navy (by Ollivier)

Extracts from the pages

Remarks on the Navies of the English & the Dutch The English Navy

92. & 93. Profiles of the Twikkelo (56), built in 1725.

According to the “Algemene Staat van ‘s Lands Scheepen” (MS N° G44 ), her builder was Pieter van Zwijndregt.
However, a manuscript list of ships “Geboudt aan het Colegie ter Adtmiraliteijdt op de Maze” (MS Nq H52), indicates
that she was in fact built by Paulus. This is confirmed by his initials on the draught. 31. Draught of the Nottingham. (Courtesy National Maritime Museum, Greenwich)
(Courtesy Maritiem Museum Prins Hendrik, Rotterdam)

works which I saw in his office such a high opinion of his capacity. He has scrupulous orders
to observe the old manner of building51 in this ship, which made me think that perhaps he aims
to spoil her deliberately in order to make a more brilliant show of the new manner of building in
which he has played some part. I should not remain silent over the fact that he follows strictly the
moulds of a ship of the same Rate which was very successful. If this be true, then I myself am in
error in the opinion which I have formed of her.

Among the ships which are moored in the Medway before Chatham and which I have been Ships of Various
on board, the most remarkable for their excellent building in all their parts which can be seen Rates
above the waterline, and within, are the Royal George52, ship of 100 guns, the Grafton53 and
the Nottingham54 of 70 guns, and the Dragon55 of 60 guns. The first is much admired by the
English, and I think them to be right in this. She is a very fair ship. Her lines are similar to those
of the Royal Sovereign; I have seen her draughts. Yet she is superior to her, by the greater space
which she has upon her decks, by the lines of her hull above the waterline, and by the fact that
she is better executed in her upper works and has less sheer.

LXVI. I should add to what I have already said about the keels of the English ships, Kell
Remarks IV and XLI, that in all their ships the skeg of the keel is cut short. I had already
remarked this in one of the ships at Deptford, yet I was not certain of it as I am today that all the
English ships are the same in this respect. I have seen draughts in the office of Mr Ward where
the long skeg is still shown, I asked him why I did not see it in all the draughts and he replied that
for about the last ten years they have cut off this timber, finding it of no usefulness. In this we are
nearly in accord with the English shipwrights, for we have already greatly reduced the projection
of this skeg. See Remark IV.

51. i.e. the 1719 Establishment.

52. Royal George: formerly Royal Charles, 1st Rate (100). Built Portsmouth Dockyard 1673 as 1443 tons b.m..
Renamed Queen in 1693. Rebuilt at Woolwich and launched 20th September 1715 as 1801 tons b.m., 172’0”x
49’6”. Subsequently renamed again, this time as the Royal Anne (January 19th 1756), finally broken up in 1767.
53. Grafton: 3rd Rate (70), 151’0”x 40’6”, 1095 tons b.m. Built by Swallow & Fowler at Limehouse and launched
August 9th 1709. Rebuilt at Woolwich in 1725 as 1133 tons b.m. Broken up in 1744.
54. Nottingham: 4th Rate (60), 924 tons b.m., 146’0” x 38’0”. Launched Deptford Dockyard June 10th 1703.
Rebuilt at Deptford in 1719 as 928 tons b.m.; subsequently rebuilt again at Sheerness in 1745 as 1077 tons b.m.
Finally sunk as a breakwater at Sheerness in September 1773. Her draughts are shown above.
55. Dragon: 4th Rate (60), 1067 tons b.m., 144’0” x 42’0”. Built at Woolwich Dockyard in 1736 and sunk as a
breakwater at Sheerness in July 1757.

226 83
 ernard Frölich has always been a builder of ship’s models.
THE ART OF B As a geographical engineer, he discovered Jean Boudriot’s
books and monographs in the late 70s. He fell in love with the
SHIP MODELING beauty of sailing ships of the classic period and since then has
Over 600 photographs in full color dedicated all his free time to building historical navy models.
This practical experience made him a genuine authority in
Bernard FRÖLICH that field. He has published numerous articles on that subject
over the past years. At our request, he has gathered, edited and
significantly enriched these articles in order to produce his
book. L’Art du Modelisme describes the author’s experience
and methods in 300 pages abundantly illustrated with numerous
drawings, sketchs and more than 600 commentated photos.
In this book, Frölich describes in detail all the crafts that a shipmodeler must master: he must be in turn a shipwright; a carpenter;
a cabinetmaker; a marqueter; a blacksmith; a ropemaker and a sailmaker. He shows that any beginner, if he is industrious and
persevering, can master this art. This fact becomes all the more evident since we can see the tremendous progress made by the
author himself through the use of photographs of his own work.
This book itself is a tremendous learning experience. In the first twenty pages Frölich describes his studio, his tools and equipment
and his library. He then devotes about one hundred pages to the timbers of a 1730 merchant vessel , the Mercure, and to M.de
Tourville’s three-decker vessel of 1680, L’Ambitieux. In the next one hundred twenty pages, the author discusses the equipment,
fittings, guns, decoration and sculptures, ship’s boats and rigging. The final sixty pages offer a description of Frölich’s own
models (all at 1:48th scale) : the schooner Jacinthe; the lugger Coureur; the brig Cyclope; the bomb ketch Salamandre; the 12-pdr
frigate Belle Poule; the merchant vessel Mercure and the xebec Requin. The unfinished model of l’Ambitieux - the Chevalier de
Tourville’s three-decker vessel - is abundantly described in the chapter on framework. Although the author denies it, this book is a
genuine treatise on historical naval shipmodeling. The photographs included show that the skills of today ‘s shipmodelers match
the talent of the creators of the period model pieces preserved and displayed in our museums.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Strong volume THE ART OF SHIP V DECORATION AND Brig 1804
size 24x31 cm, MODELING CARVINGS Bomb Ketch 1752
I GENERIS VI SHIP’S BOATS Lugger 1776
canvas cover
CONSIDÉRATIONS VI MASTING AND Frigate 1765
full gray-blue, II FULLY-FRAMED RIGGING Merchant Ship 1730
sewn sections, CONSTRUCTION VIII THE MODELS Schooner 1823
slice thread. Principles, and an Le Cyclope, Xebec 1750
Laminated dust example of fully-framed La Salamandre,
construction: Le Coureur, Le Requin Remarks from Jean Boudriot
jacket. (I) Le Mercure La Belle Poule,
304 pages. (II) L’Ambitieux - An 80- Le Mercure, La Jacinthe.
gun Three-decker
III FITTINGS
IV ARTILLERY

Extracts from the pages

Published by A.N.C.R.E., 130 avenue de Gairaut Allée des Citronniers - 06100 Nice - France - www.ancre.fr