Ship builders sometimes made models of the boats they built and by the second half of the nineteenth century many shipyards had their own model shops to produce builder's models. By the late 1900s commercial model makers were making more of an appearance, producing model ships, engines and railways.

Many of the ships these models illustrate were integral to the economic development of New South Wales. They carried shells for manufacturing the lime needed for buildings in Sydney as well as thousands of tons of timber for wharf pilings, railway sleepers and mine props. The three masted schooner 'Good Hope' worked at least part of its life for the Merchants Express Line out of San Francisco plying its trade on the Pacific route.

This particular model was purchased in 1944 and forms part of the important A. A. Stewart collection of ship, mechanical, and railway models.

References
Davison, G., Webber, K., 'Yesterday's Tomorrows; the Powerhouse Museum and its precursors 1880-2005', Powerhouse Publishing, 2005
Lavery, B. and Stephens, S., 'Ship Models; their purpose and development from 1650 to the present', Zwemmer, London, 1995
'Woy Woy: a brief history', Compiled by the Local Studies Librarian, Gosford City Library, March 2006 sourced form www.gosford.nsw.gov.au
http://digitalassets.lib.berkeley.edu/honeyman/ucb/images/HN002757aA.jpg

Geoff Barker, March 2007

Maker unknown. A barquentine is a sailing ship with three or more masts, and with a square rigged foremast and only fore-and-aft rigged sails on the main, mizzen and any other masts.

Ship model, 'Goodhope' three-masted barquentine, wood / metal / cloth, maker unknown, England, 1925-1935

Model of a three-masted barquentine ship, 'Goodhope', made of wood, metal and fabric. The ship comprises a long, rectangular deck with capstan, anchors, chains, cleats, belaying rails and pins, deck rails and a ship's wheel. There are three masts (the mizzen mast, mainmast and foremast) complete with sails, showing all the intricate details of the ropes. On the deck is also a lifeboat, two upstairs cabins and a hatch leading below deck. The body of the ship is painted dark green and black with white trim. It is lacquered. The sails are cream coloured with brown wooden masts and black and beige rope. The model rests on an untreated wooden stand. An old MAAS label accompanies this object.

Made: England; 1925 - 1935

On the stern of the ship is 'GOODHOPE' handwritten in white ink.

B914

1925 - 1935

570 mm

240 mm