HMS BELLONA

HMS Bellona was one of the most famous ships of the British Navy. Her design was so successful that it gave rise to two slightly modified classes that eventually included over two dozen additional ships-of-the-line. 

About the construction of the HMS Bellona model:
- Built from scratch, plank-on-frame construction
- Copper-plated bottom: individual copper pieces that were weathered unevenly to create a realistic look (no paint, no fake lines on wood.)
- Blackened metal cannons and wooden carriage. Under the main deck, all guns are "real" guns which have proper barrels and wooden carriages which sit on 2 real decks. No lead frame around gun ports.
- Authentic extensive rigging system comprised of many different sizes of rope.
- Correct number of sails (two jib sails in the front.) No thick sails.
- Full length masts and bowsprit per construction plans.
- Beautiful three-dimensional stern gallery.

History of HMS Bellona tall ship:

The 74-gun ship Bellona formed the backbone of the principal naval powers of Europe from the Seven Years War (1756 - 1763) to the end of the Napoleonic Wars (1815). Right after her launch on 19 February 1760, Bellona sailed to join the battle fleet to blockade Brest.

In August, HMS Bellona was detached to patrol off the Tagus River in Spain. While sailing with the frigate Brilliant, she sighted the French 74-gun ship Courageux in company with two frigates. The British ships pursued, and after 14 hours, caught up with the French ships and engaged, the Brilliant attacking the frigates, and Bellona taking on the Courageux. The frigates eventually got away, but the Courageux struck her colors, and was taken into the Royal Navy.

In 1780, the important Bellona was coppered, becoming one of the very first British ships to receive the hull-protecting layer.

In 1780, Bellona captured the 44-gun Dutch ship Princess Caroline. In 1801, she served with legendary Nelson at the Battle of Copenhagen, firing her cannons furiously despite having grounded on a shoal.

HMS Bellona continued to serve in the North Sea and Bay of Biscay until 1814 when she paid off for the last time and was broken up. She served in the navy for over 50 years--a very long time for a wooden ship. 

Bellona is also in Jack Aubrey's novel: "After his return to England aboard the Surprise, Jack Aubrey is appointed as commodore to command a squadron off the coast of West Africa, with secret orders to proceed to Ireland later to intercept a planned French invasion. As his flagship he is given the 74-gun line-of-battle ship HMS Bellona, with Thomas Pullings as his flag captain."

Dimensions and price of the HMS Bellona model:

42" long x 30" tall x 11.5 wide. Email us for a quote.

Learn more about the HMS Bellona here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Bellona_(1760)