The tug this model represents, CRUISER, was built by Alexander Stephen & Sons in Glasgow, Scotland for the local firm of Steel and Bennie. At her launching she measured 105' LOA X 21.B X 11.9 D.
Tugs found service early on during the steam era as wooden merchant ships used their assistance to enter and depart in otherwise adverse weather conditions. Soon even the hardened souls who championed the wooden warships realized that the time of steam-driven ships had arrived.
This builder's half model is quite well done, mounted on a mirrored backboard to give the illusion of a full view of the vessel. The fittings are gold plated and the builder has given ardent attention to the ship's precisely scaled representation.
