If you have a small child, it means that you’re young, relative to most of the rest of us, and perhaps new to ship modeling. I, therefore, hope that you will not be offended by the following discourse.
It is not a “lifeboat.” It is a ship’s boat. Sailing ships in the age of sail did not carry boats dedicated to saving lives if the ship sank. Instead, they were outfitted with boats various designs each intended for a different purpose; transporting officers to and from a ship moored in an anchorage, hauling stores to and from the ship, especially water, handling anchors, and carrying crew to attack other vessels and for amphibious landings. These boats were carefully designed to fit their different roles. They were quite heavy by modern standards and launching one was a major effort. Of course, if one broke free during a sinking it could save lives.
The idea of a ship carrying boats dedicated to saving lives dates from the passenger carrying steamship as the British Board of Trade, goaded by political pressure began to try to regulate working conditions at sea. These regulations included designs for specialized lifeboats, and requirements that they be easily launched; a relative term.
Steam powered warships continued to carry extensive boat outfits into the beginning years of World WarII. Again, these were work boats, not primarily life boats. After discovering that they burned and made great targets during the war’s early vicious night fights, navies stopped carrying them. Lifesaving duties were more efficiently handled with life rafts.
Anyhow, it will make a nice little model for you and your daughter to enjoy.
Roger
