Le Superbe: Wooden Sailing Ship Scale Model
The French began to build their fleet of Ships of the Line 10 years before the launch of Le Superbe after Louis
XIV took effective power in 1661.
Le Superbe: 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 ships' 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 (cm) |
Width (cm) |
Height (cm) |
Scale |
Type |
Nation |
Year |
| 90 |
62 |
26 |
3/4 |
Warship |
France |
1671 |
| 120 |
34 |
82 |
1 |
Warship |
France |
1671 |
Le Superbe: Ship's history
Original specifications: Type: Frigate; Length 11.38 m; Hull: Wood; Complement: 700; Built: Toulon, France; Year: 1671
Louis XIV's 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.
The process of expansion continued, culminating with ships such as Le Superbe of 1671, registered at 1,300 tons and carrying up to 76 guns on two decks.
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.
Three-masted, with two decks, 76 guns and extreme manoeuvrability won Le Superbe a lot of admirers, including the English. On Le Superbe, Pepys commented, with some exaggeration, “She was forty feet broad, carried seventy-four guns and six months provision”. Her architect was the famous Jacques Noel Sane, requiring 700 men for the smooth running of the vessel.
The influence of the French Court on the arts during the reign of Louis XIV in the 17th 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.
In 1672, the eminent shipwright Anthony Deane was directed by Charles II to build his new ships along the lines of Le Superbe, which had open galleries. They first appeared in 1673 and became increasingly common in English ships, and indeed in other nations' ships.
Le Superbe joined Admiral Villaret de Joyeuse’s fleet. It was a period of great fights against the British fleet.
Le Superbe came to a tragic end being sunk in a storm in 1795. It was a masterful piece of art and beautiful sculpture that sank to the bottom of the ocean.
