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Diana

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Diana Frigate

The frigate Diana was launched on the 10th of March 1792. It formed part of the series of frigates known as "Mahonesas", as they had been built in the city of Mahón. Thanks to its design, it could sail faster than its predecessors. It took part in the war against France along the Catalan coast although, during the war of Independence, its base was in Cadiz. As a member of the naval forces of Havana, it took part in battles against the corsairs in the Antilles and made various trips across the Atlantic. It was broken up in 1833 in the naval shipyard of Cartagena.

Cazador

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Cazador Xebec

These picturesque and beautiful ships resembled the galleys in terms of their raised quarter-decks, although they were much easier to work, a much appreciated characteristic in the naval battles of the period, where they were involved in numerous daring actions. The xebecs played a decisive role as auxiliaries to fleets on missions of exploration, discovery, lookout and mail; specifically during the Algerian landings and the second siege of Gibraltar.

Mississippi

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Mississippi Paddle Steamer

These legendary riverboats sailed the Mississippi throughout the 19th century, following a route that passed through the most emblematic cities along the river’s banks, from its origins in Lake Itasca, Minnesota, to the mouth of the river, down in New Orleans. The main characteristic of these delightful wooden boats were the great, steam engine powered paddle-wheels.

San Marcos

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San Marcos Galleon

This galleon is a direct descendant of the "caracks", large, distinguished galleons, originally Mediterranean based but later sailing the Atlantic. The name galleon was first given to a type of ship from Liguria, built at the start of the 16th century. Initially designed as merchantmen they were heavily armed, for defence against pirates and other enemies, but ended up, after 1570, becoming men of war. Although the galleons reached their greatest splendour when they plied the Atlantic, the height of their development, they were the result of accumulated experiences on the European Atlantic front and their experiences as merchantmen in the Mediterranean.

Montanes

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Montanes Ship of the Line

The “Montañés” represents the maximum level of perfection achieved by Spanish naval architecture, when Spanish ships-of-the-line were a match for those of any navy in the world. The figurehead of this ship is not the royal lion but a “montañes” (highlander), in gratitude for the financial contribution towards her construction made by the people of the mountains. She was launched in Ferrol on 14th May 1794. It is said that she was an extraordinary vessel, whether sailing close to the wind, running free or with a following wind, and that, more than any other ship, she kept her batteries out of the water. She was engaged in a number of battles, including Trafalgar, where she mounted 76 guns and 4 carronades with mortars, located on her quarter deck. On 6th March 1810, in a violent storm, she sank off the Bay of Cadiz.

Santisima Trinidad

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Santisima Trinidad (Full Model)

The Santísima Trinidad was built in Havana and launched on 2nd March 1769. It was the biggest warship of the 18th century, with 130 guns. After taking part in the naval campaigns of the late 18th and early 19th century, it last saw active service at the battle of Trafalgar, under the ensign of rear admiral Cisneros, where it was dismasted by the English fleet.

Santisima Trinidad

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Santisima Trinidad (Cross Section)

A cross section of the mainmast of the Santísima Trinidad.

Ulises

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Ulises R/C Tug

The Ulises model was an ocean-going tug. During the sixties, maritime traffic was very intense, the coming and going of goods crossing seas and oceans around the world was constant. This activity was not without its risks; therefore the work of ocean-going tugs was vitally important, helping all those vessels that suffered mishaps. At that time, metal was the basic material used to construct the boats, combined with a certain percentage of wood. Builders took advantage of the strength of steel for the hull and the comfort of wood for the crew areas, which meant that they turned out models of singular beauty despite the fact that the boats were designed as working boats.