MODEL SHIPS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 2, 3 January 1934, Page 2

MODEL SHIPS.

OFFICER'S HOBBY. REPLICAS INSURED FOR £450 MANY MONTHS' LABOUR. Model shipbuilding as a hobby haft perhaps boon taken up more seriously bv Mr. T. McGonigle, second officer of the Canadian steamer Canadian Highlander than by most enthusiasts. He has a good companion in the chief officer, Mr. A. E. Wilding, whose model of tlie sixteenth century Sovereign of the Seas is a work of art. It is Mr. McGonigle's 40in model of Christopher Columbus' Santa Maria that has created so much interest at Melbourne and Sydney, where, through the medium of the newspapers, Mr. McGonigle's hobby became known, with the result that there were scores of visitors to see what must be one of the finest models ever made of this ship. With eigiit years' experience in such full-rigged ships as the California, Tir.to Hill, Armida and British Island, Mr. McGonigle gained the knowledge necessary to rig a sailing ship, and it is here, combined with sailorly care and skill in modelling the hull and deck gear, that has enabled him to excel over other enthusiasts. It was not until 1928 that Mr. McGonigle was persuaded to take up model shipbuilding bv a friend, and since then he has taken the task seriously. While engaged in building his first model of the Santa Maria he went to no end of trouble to read up every article, book, and encyclopaedia for details of the ship. He even visited the McGill University in Montreal, arid there, with students interested, discussed every detail for some hours in order that his replica should be correct. The first model took the builder all the spare time at his disposal while at sea during a period of fifteen months. His second effort was the building of a replica of the Marie Galantc, Columbus' second ship. This occupied a further twelve months. Insured for £45<>Some idea of the nature of Mr. McGonigle's work may be gauged from the fact that the two models are nowinsured bv their present owner for a sum of £450. At present Mr. McGonigle is engaged in building another model larger than the original one of the Santa Maria, which, it is estimated, will be valued at £200. This model will be housed in the exhibition department of the Canadian National Steamships offices.

During his visit to Melbourne recentlv Mr. McGonigle was informed that'the Melbourne Centenary Committee was offering £300 for the best model submitted of Captain Cook's ship Endeavour. Mr. McGonigle states that it is his intention to build such a model, but it will be impossible for him to have it ready for the centenary. Woods employed in building the models are Canadian birch, Australian oak and New Zealand kauri. Strange as it may seem, Mr. McGonigle does not employ a plan for his models, yet the vessels are exactly to scale. The main and most attractive feature of the Santa Maria is the stern. Each deck is built separately. The deck fittings are complete with brassbound water barrels, capstans, belaying pins and hold and hatches. There are hundreds of parts, all hand made, including no fewer than ninety rope blocks, .carved stanchions and an anchor made out of a solid piece of zinc. The model is not completed, the shields, flags and sails having yet to be made before the Canadian Highlander reaches Canada.