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Mountbatten Medallic History of Great Britain and the Sea Medal: The Scottish Maid
Mountbatten Medallic History of Great Britain and the Sea Medal: The Scottish Maid
Mountbatten Medallic History of Great Britain and the Sea Medal: The Scottish Maid
Mountbatten Medallic History of Great Britain and the Sea Medal: The Scottish Maid

Mountbatten Medallic History of Great Britain and the Sea Medal: The Scottish Maid

Associated (Frogmore House, Windsor, England, 1900 - 1979)
DateMay 2004
Object NameMedal
MediumSterling Silver
ClassificationsMedals
AcquisitionPresented in 2004 by Dr Joan M Burrell.
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDMS072500.52
About MeThe Scottish Maid was commissioned by a group of 18 shareholders in 1839 and built by Alexander Hall & Sons of Aberdeen, who were already well established as builders of high class merchant shipping tonnage. The new schooner was given a fine run, considerable deadrise, and an easy turn of bilge, characteristics similar to those of the fast sloops and cutters of the early 19th century .The principal innovation was a steeply raking concave stem with the planking carried out to it throughout its length, combined with convex entrance water lines, forming what was called the' Aberdeen bow'. This innovation altered the general appearance of the vessel in a manner historically uncommon in that it was sudden and marked. Alexander Hall & Co built some 40 sailing vessels with this bow form, of all sizes from 52 to 385 tons register. Other Aberdeen builders adopted the new bow in varying forms, and other vessels incorporating it were built in Birkenhead, Dumbarton, Newhaven and other places.

With the development of a demand for fast sailing ships in the middle 19th century the Aberdeen model became famous, and although in due course it was much modified, as a consequence of changes in the regulations for the measurement of ships' tonnage and for other reasons, the launch of the Scottish Maid proved to be a landmark in the development of fast sailing ships in the particular forms they took in the 19th century clippers in Britain.

The Mountbatten Medallic History of Great Britain and the Sea, John Pinches Medallists Ltd.