Steel hulled wool clipper Peleus - 1892

[shipbuilder]

I am currently drawing up plans for the steel-hulled wool clipper Peleus, of 1892. This does not mean that I intend to build it, but is just filling in time whilst waiting for the outcome of the insurance claim on the severely damaged model of the barque Gulf Stream, almost a month ago. This type of ship, although their general lines are far more pleasing to the eye than warships are rarely modelled on account of them being built for peaceful trading, rather than warlike activities. The "gunports" along the side were just decoration, and were painted on. They did not open, and certainly did not conceal guns. I began the drawing yesterday, and completed the hull profile today. The ship has three masts, and is square-rigged on all of them. She had a gross tonnage of 2,122. She was 277.5 feet long, 41.1 feet wide, and 24.1 feet deep.
Bob

 

[Uwek]

very fine lines........we can realy feel the sailing speed of these clippers. A lot of square meters of sail and the long hull - speed. Unfortunately they had only a short period in history of real success, until the steam took over the business. Maybe you can also tell us something about her history ?

 

[shipbuilder]

The were still building them in Britain for British owners up to 1907. Germany built their last one in 1926. The last British sailing ship, Garthpool, was wrecked in late 1929. Finland still had them sailing in the late 1940s, maybe even the early 50s. Bob

 

[shipbuilder]

The Peleus was employed on the wool trade, sailing between Great Brtain and Australia. She was sold to Germany in 1905, becoming Adolphe. She was scrapped in Holland in 1923. This is a Public Domain image of the Peleus from the State Library of South Australia. Image reference PRG-1373-11-6. Fortunately, kit manafacturers have never progressed beyond the Cutty Sark and Thermopylae, leaving the field wide open to myself and one or two other ship modellers. I obtained copies of plans of the Peleus, blackened with age, in the 1960s, when the builders were still in operation on the Clyde, so my plans will be accurate. Bob