Scottish Maid" Prototype Half Model By James And William Hall
AssociatedAssociated with
Scottish Maid
(schooner, built 1839)
AssociatedAssociated with
Alexander Hall and Company
(Ship builders; 1811 - 1958)
Maker
Hall, James And William
Date1839
Object NameHalf Model
Mediumwood and paint
ClassificationsShipbuilding
DimensionsOverall: Length: 89.8 cm, Width: 10 cm, Height: 11.1 cm
LocationOn Display - Aberdeen Maritime Museum
Object numberABDMS018943
About MeThe schooner Scottish Maid, built by the Hall shipyard in 1839, was the first vessel with the raked stem known as the 'Aberdeen bow'. Scottish Maid was intended for the Aberdeen-London trade, where speed was crucial to compete with steamships. The Hall brothers tested various hulls in a water tank and found the clipper design most effective. The design was influenced by tonnage regulations. Tonnage measured a ship's cargo capacity and was used to calculate tax and harbour dues.
The new 1836 regulations measured depth and breadth with length measured at half midship depth. Extra length above this level was tax-free and became a feature of clippers. Scottish Maid proved swift and reliable and the design was widely copied.
R B Robertson
Smithfield
Artist Unknown
Ian Hamilton Finlay
