Mercury — Imperial Russian Navy Brig Model (32.7 in / 83 cm, Western Red Cedar, Mahogany & Rosewood)
Mercury — Imperial Russian Navy Brig Model (32.7 in / 83 cm, Western Red Cedar, Mahogany & Rosewood)
How big is it?
Length about 83 cm / 32.7 in. Drawn to scale; the model outline is a simplified shape.
Model details
- Size
- 32.7 in / 83 cm
- Materials
- Mahogany, Western red cedar, Rosewood, Brass, Linen sails
- Construction
- Plank-on-frame, built by hand
- Condition
- Fully assembled, ready to display
- Display
- Wooden base with brass nameplate
- Collection
- Tall Ship Models - Admiral Line
- Item no.
- T362
A small Imperial Russian Navy brig that fought two Ottoman ships of the line and got away — the most improbable single-ship action in the history of sail.
Built plank on frame in western red cedar, mahogany and rosewood at 32.7 inches. A brig is a two-masted, square-rigged vessel: fewer masts than a frigate, but the same rigging discipline, and nowhere to hide a shortcut.
Specification
- 32.7 in / 83 cm
- Plank-on-frame hull in western red cedar, mahogany and rosewood
- Two masts, brig-rigged, with complete hand-knotted standing and running rigging
- Hand-stitched linen sails on every yard
- Gun ports with cast cannon, ship's boat, wheel, capstan and rails
- Metal anchors and wooden rudder
- Solid wood base with engraved brass nameplate
- Fully assembled
History
On 26 May 1829, the 18-gun brig Mercury under Lieutenant Commander Alexander Kazarsky was caught by two Ottoman ships of the line carrying 184 guns between them. Rather than strike, Kazarsky's officers agreed that the last man alive would blow up the magazine. Mercury fought for four hours, shot away enough of the Turkish rigging to disable both pursuers, and limped home with 22 hits in her hull. She was awarded the stern flag of St George — an honour granted to only two ships in the entire history of the Imperial Russian Navy.