Possessing sharp detail and artistic quality, this model of the 19th Century wooden full-rigged ship BELTED WILL is an accurate representation of an iron beamed ship built by J.T. Fell at Workington in 1863. Set into a diorama display with a models and painted sea, she is the realistic image of the working vessel. The modeler has fitted her out in entirety, with life boats, lines everywhere, and sails up, dangling their reef points.
Several ships were built in Workington for owner J.H. Busby of Liverpool, and primarily put into service in the China Tea Trade. BELTED WILL ran for several years, putting in a voyage of 103 days to Hong Kong on her maiden sail. She sailed the next six years under Capt. A. Locke, and then her owners were changed to Shaw, Bushby, & Co. in 1880. She sold to Anton Hulthen of Helsingborg in 1883, and lasted until being stranded on the rocks at Yttergrundet at Soderarm in July 1893.
This is a fine display model of a bygone era on sailing merchant ships, and an excellent individual example of the craft and skill of British ship-modeling.
Wood & Glass case with Modeled Plaster Sea: 50½ x 17¼ x 31⅝ Inches,
