This is a fine example of a very large cargo carrier, the Screw Steamer WARKWORTH. Ships of this class proved time and again to be the backbone of worldwide commerce in the late 19TH and early 20TH Centuries. Built in 1917 by John Readhead & Sons of South Shields, she launched in service to Robert Stanley Dalgliesh’s Steam Shipping Co. of Newcastle-on-Tyne. At 413'10" L x 51'6" B x 28'6" dimensions, WARKWORTH’s single screw propeller was driven by 2900 I.H.P. engines.

The ship model is fitted out throughout with gold-plated fittings over the original gray-beige hull, with numerous booms with kickers placed to work her five cargo holds. The lemonwood decking and cabins are traditionally inked, and two lifeboats and two officer’s gigs are suspended. Interesting featured also include the dual bow anchors in complement to the single anchor astern, and the two smaller covered access below next to the stern rails. The Blue, Red and Black Stack with the company’s ‘D’ prominent finishes the model perfectly.

Dalgliesh sold the ship to Compangie Generale, known in Britain and America as the French Line, in 1926. She was converted to also carry passenger service, renamed OAKLAHOMA, and yet only served until she caught fire in 1929 and was scrapped. Proving profitable, Dalgliesh named three more of his company’s vessels WARKWORTH, the last serving until the company closed in 1979.

Cased Model with Table Stand Base measures 63½ L x 19⅜ W x 62½ H inches overall.