Royal Louis: Wooden Sailing Ship Scale Model
The first large three-decker, the Royal Louis was completed in Toulon in 1668, and was registered at 200 tons. These ships were substantially larger than either the English or Dutch ones of similar gun power and this made them good sailors, able to carry large quantities of stores for the crew.
Royal Louis: Wooden Sailing Ship Scale Model
Where appropriate, all scale ship models are constructed with hardwood using the plank-on-frame technique and built to scale using ship's drawings. The models use cotton sails and rigging and in the case of the larger vessels are suitable for use as exhibits in galleries or museums.
Many models are available in sizes 1 or 3/4 both models offer the same level of detail. Stocks of most models are held but you should allow up to 8 weeks for some of the larger models.
If you have specific enquiries for other ships, please contact us. Models are shipped all over the world in secure packaging at very reasonable prices.
In any event, if you have any queries, please contact us by mail or call us by telephone and we will be pleased to help.
|
Length |
Width |
Height |
Size |
Type |
Nation |
Year |
|
109 cm |
42 cm |
88 cm |
1 |
Flagship |
France |
1668 |
Royal Louis: Ship's History
Original specifications: Type: Galleon; Length 50.46 m; Hull: Wood; Built: Toulon,
France; Year: 1668.
The French began to build their fleet of the ships of the line after Louis XIV
took effective power in 1661. His great minister Colbert was in control of the
Navy from 1663. In order to rebuild the fleet, Colbert used the resources of
Europe. He attracted shipwrights from Malta, Barcelona, Holland and other shipbuilding
centres. Great shipwrights such as Anthony Deane of England were used as occasional
advisers.
A few large ships were built at Brest and Rochefort in the early 1660s, but
the first real class of French ships of the line consisted of seven vessels
built in Holland in 1666.
Colbert created his first regulations dividing the fleet into Rates. The First
Rate comprised the three-deckers, from 80 guns upwards. It contained the sub-division
known as the 'premier rang extraordinaire', which included such vessels as
the
Royal Louis and the
Soleil Royal.
The influence of the French Court on the arts during the reign of Louis XIV
in the seventeenth century was considerable, but there was little similarity
between the decorations of the French and British ships; of all the national
styles, they were the least alike. One noteworthy exception was the practice
of fitting open galleries or balconies, where the English followed the French.
The
Royal Louis was a three-decker with 120 guns, making her a tremendous ship
of the line. She was one of the very few first rates to carry bronze 48 pounders,
making her one of the most powerful vessels belonging to the French Royal Navy
at the time. She was an admiral ship of the blue and white squadron, being part
of the American squadron, called the Earl D’Estaing’s.
The main equipment was made of thirty-two 36 pounders at the low battery,
thirty-four 32 pounders at the second battery and thirty-two 12 pounders
at the third battery.
The
Royal Louis underwent several changes that changed both her hull line and
her rigging. The most remarkable modification was the drastic lowering of her
quarterdeck and the disappearance of the spirit-sail mast.
Models are handmade so delivery time may vary. Please contact us for more details
Size 1