Bucentaure Model Ship

The Bucentaure was a ship of the line.

About the Bucentaure wooden scale Model Ship

This model ship of the Bucentaure was custom built from the following information:

• Copies of the original plans

About the construction of the Bucentaure wooden scale Model Ship

• The hull is built using the Double Plank-on-Bulkhead construction method
• The bulkheads and keel are cut from marine grade pine plywood
• The first layer of planking is done plank by plank using Mahogany
• The second layer of planking is done using Mahogany Veneer strips
• The deck is made of Anagre, a light brown timber from the Amazon
• The gunwale and stringers are made of American Walnut
• The fife rails and pin racks are made of American Walnut
• The deckhouses and gangways are made of Teak
• The masts and yards are made of Mahogany
• The sails and ropes are made of linen
• The model is painted with acrylic paint
• The ornaments are cold cast in bronze and painted

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History of the Bucentaure

The Bucentaure was an 80 guns ship of the line of the French Navy, a lead of her class.

She was built by Arsenal de Toulon and launched in 1803, with a complement of 840, under Vice-Admiral Latouché Tréville. Who died on the Bucentaure in August 1804 and Vice-Admiral Villeneuve hoisted his flag on 6 November 1804.

She hosted the Franco-Spanish war council at Cadiz.

The Bucentaure saw action under die command of Captain Jean Jacques Magendie at the Battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1805. The HMS Victory of Admiral Nelson broke the French line just astern of Bucentaure and just ahead of Redoubtable. The Victory raked her stern and lost 197 men and 85 was wounded, including Captain Magendie (Admiral Villeneuve was lucky to survive) causing the Bucentaure to miss most of the fight.

She fought for 3 hours and surrendered to Captain James Atcherly from HMS Conqueror. In the days that followed the Bucentaure’s crew recaptured their ship.

On 23 October 1805, however, the Bucentaure was wrecked by gale-force storms.

        
Member of The Nautical Research Guild

Learn more about The Bucentaure: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_ship_Bucentaure_(1803)