This incredibly beautiful model is a scale-replica of the USS Kearsarge, one of many ships that participated during the U.S. Civil War. A union of machine and wind-based power, this model depicts the Kearsarge in all its former glory. This wonderful model is a masterpiece of design: made by actual craftsmen, not constructed from a kit, and made to the highest level of detail possible, using reference materials, such as drawings, copies of the original ships plans, and photographs of the actual ship to reproduce this model in exquisite detail. This model also features intricate, little design elements that make the ship all the more realistic, such as: stitched, thick canvas sails, metal anchors, accurate black cannons, taught rigging, and amazing deck detail. And of course, such a gorgeous model corresponds to a ship with a real history: read more about the USS Kearsarge below.
Key Features Museum Quality Hand-Crafted Model Built From High-Quality Woods, Including Cherry, Teak, White Pine, Birch, and Maple Rests On A Large Wooden Base with Four Dolphins (Marble Base Pictured Above) Built using Resources Such As Drawings, Original Plans, and Photos of the Actual Ship Measurements Overall Length: 35 Inches Overall Width: 6 Inches Overall Height: 18 Inches Overall Scale: 1:100 A Brief History of the USS Kearsarge USS Kearsarge was built at Portsmouth Navy Yard in Kittery, Maine under the 1861 American Civil War emergency shipbuilding program. The new 1550 ton steam sloop of war was launched 11 September 1861 with Captain Charles W. Pickering in command. Soon after, she was hunting for Confederate States of America raiders in European waters. Kearsarge departed Portsmouth, New Hampshire on February 5, 1862 for the coast of Spain. She thence sailed to Gibraltar to join the blockade of Confederate raider Sumter, forcing her abandonment in December. However, Sumter's commanding captain, Raphael Semmes, soon commissioned Confederate raider CSS Alabama on the high seas off the Azores.
From November 1862 through March 1863 Kearsarge prepared for her fight with Alabama at Cdiz, then searched for the raider from along the coast of Northern Europe to the Canaries, Madeira, and the Outer Hebrides. Arriving at Cherbourg, France, on June 14, 1864, she found Alabama in port where she had gone for repairs after a devastating cruise at the expense of 65 ships of the United States' merchant marine. Kearsarge took up patrol at the harbor's entrance to await Semmes' next move.
On June 19, Alabama stood out of Cherbourg Harbor for her last action. Mindful of French neutrality, Kearsarge's new commanding officer, Captain John Winslow, took the sloop-of-war well clear of territorial waters, and then turned to meet the Confederate cruiser.
Alabama opened fire first while Kearsarge held her reply until she had closed to less than 1000 yards. Steaming on opposite courses, the ships moved around a circle as each commander tried to cross his opponent's bow to deliver deadly raking fire. The battle quickly turned against Alabama, for the quality of her long-stored powder and shell had deteriorated. Kearsarge, on the other hand, had been given added protection by chain cable triced in tiers along her sides abreast vital places. One hour after she fired her first salvo, Alabama had been reduced to a sinking wreck. Semmes struck his colors and sent a boat to Kearsarge with a message of surrender and an appeal for help. Kearsarge rescued the majority of Alabama's survivors; but Semmes and 41 others were picked up by British yacht Deerhound and escaped in her to England.
The battle between Kearsarge and Alabama is honored by the United States Navy by a battle star on the Civil War campaign streamer.