Hi everyone,
I’ve been researching the
Santísima Trinidad (ST) lately and wanted to share some insights regarding the models housed in the
Museo Naval de Madrid. Probably more for my own benefit than for the experts among us, I have been diving deeper into my preparations for the future build. For any modeler tackling a kit like the one from OcCre, as I am planning to do, understanding the history of these models is key.
The Dockyard Model: The Original Design (1766-1769)
The museum's centerpiece is a stunning
dockyard model (or
modelo de arsenal). In the 18th century, these were technical prototypes used by engineers to refine a design before full-scale construction.
This model represents the ST as she was originally conceived:
- An elegant three-decker with 112 to 116 guns.
- A refined English-style stern with three levels of galleries and an open, ornate design.
- Interestingly, the stern bears the inscription "El Real Carlos 1766". This was a dedication to King Carlos III, which caused a long-standing historical error: for decades, this model was misidentified as the ship Real Carlos. It has since been proven beyond doubt to be the original design for the Trinidadby Matthew and Ignacio Mullán (Ref: Plan PB-0197).
The Trafalgar Configuration: The Floating Fortress (1805)
The museum also holds documentation and later display models (often based on the research of
Rafael Berenguer) that show the ship as she appeared during the
Battle of Trafalgar:
- Following major reconstructions in 1795-1796, the spar deck was enclosed, turning her into the world’s only four-decker with 136 to 140 guns.
- By this time, the ship had become a massive "wooden wall." The stern was simplified and made much heavier to support the structural changes, losing some of the elegance seen in the early dockyard model.
The Final Fate
The ST did not sink during the heat of battle. Though she was dismasted and surrendered to the British, she survived the initial engagement. It was a violent storm on
October 24, 1805, that sealed her fate. The British scuttled her near Cádiz to prevent her from being recaptured by the Spanish.
My question
While the OcCre kit is based on the 140-gun Trafalgar version, I find the stern in the kit to be a bit lacking compared to the original dockyard model.
I'm curious to hear your thoughts on the differences between the dockyard version and the Trafalgar kit. Has anyone here attempted to modify the OcCre stern to look more like the 1769 original, or do you prefer the rugged look of the final configuration?
Sources for further research:
- Modelos de arsenal del Museo Naval de Madrid (2004) – Definitive work on Spanish naval construction.
- El navío Santísima Trinidad by Joaquín Rodríguez Crespo – Excellent structural reconstructions.
- The Mullan Plans (Ref: PB-0197) – The original 1769 blueprints.
artsandculture.google.com
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