The Surprise HMS Model Ship

The Model Shipyard, the proud sole global designers and builders of the highly esteemed STEPHENS & KENAU™ range of ship models. Our models are museum quality, made to scale replicas and so are exact miniatures of the real ships that sail the seas of our history books. Our Surprise HMS model ship is a popular choice with ship building enthusiasts and its beautiful lines echo the seafaring vessels of days of yore.

Surprise HMS model ship dimensions

We provide the majestic Surprise HMS model ship in two dimensions: 1:60, with an overall length of 1,235mm and height of 943mm; and 1:78, with an overall length of 950mm and height of 725mm. The Surprise HMS model ship is copper sheathed below the waterline, with a hull built of fine Sapelie-Mahogany, painted black with an ochre yellow line along the gunports and with decks made of Anagre. The decks fittings and trimmings and the masts and spars are made from American Walnut and all guns, gunports, ship wheels and anchors are cast in brass and bronze.

The dimensions of the ship on which the Surprise HMS model ship is based

According to certain sources, the Surprise HMS model ship is based on a 126 foot long 28-gun ship, which was 31 ft 8 in. beam. 579 tons and, although registered as a gun ship, she actually carried twenty-four 32-pounder carronades on her main deck, eight 32-pounder carronades on her quarterdeck and forecastle, and had two or four long 6-pounders for chasers.

The history of the ship on which the Surprise HMS model ship is based

The Surprise HMS model ship is based on the real ship the Surprise, which gained fame in 1799 when Captain Hamilton, in a daring cutting-out expedition in the middle of the night, ordered six boats from the Surprise to recapture the boat Hermione from the Spaniards who had mutineered her and brought her into Puerto Cabello. The Hermione was recaptured and towed safely out to sea. Contact us now for more information on our Surprise HMS model ship.