Spanish Galleon

Historically, the Spanish galleon was one of the most famous ship types during the golden age of sailing ships. The first galleons appeared around the middle of the sixteenth century, and for almost a hundred years these popular sailing vessels served as warships as well as merchant ships. A direct descendant of the oar-driven galleys, the galleon's hulls were slimmer than the bulky, lumbering naos, yet their holds held large quantities of goods. Spanish galleons sailed the oceans carrying jewels, gold, fine fabrics and other valuable goods. To ward off attacks by pirates, Spanish ships had their own protection in the form of heavy brass cannons. The famous Spanish Armada of 1588 was composed of over 70 armed galleons. In one of the greatest naval battles in history, the mighty Spanish fleet challenged the small naval power of England's Queen Elizabeth. King Philip II of Spain planned to use his mighty armada to transport his army across the English Channel and conquer the British Isles. In the meantime, however, the English had also organised their defences with a smaller fleet. For more than a month, the English fleet pursued the Armada. On 28 July 1588, the Spanish anchored at Gravelines. With the night wind and the tide, eight burning English ships sailed into the middle of the Spanish fleet. In their haste to escape the fireships, the Spanish had cut loose their anchors and were partially adrift against the rocks near the coast. The disciplined Spanish formation broke up, the remnants of the disbanded armada now sailing northwards, around Scotland and Ireland. The galleons had a profound impact on the world's ship designers. Their improved handling qualities were clearly visible and their basic lines were soon adopted by almost all European shipbuilders. Spanish galleons were colourfully painted and decorated with escutcheons that were both functional and decorative.

- Detailed hull with wooden structure
- Sides with ornaments
- Ornate transom
- Detailed decks with wooden structure
- Movable stern rudder
- Steps
- Nail benches
- Lifeboat with rudder
- Stern gallery
- Large anchor
- Side shields with heraldic decoration
- Detailed masts
- Mast baskets
- Prefabricated shrouds
- Blocks for accurate rigging
- Deep-drawn sails with line texture
- Various rigging yarns
- Cannons on mounts
- Flag plaque
- Large decal with decoration for the mainsails
-Length approx. 72 cm Height approx. 63 cm