A working model of a ship’s personnel lifeboat on davits

A working model of a ship’s personnel lifeboat on davits. This fine mahogany working model of a ship’s rowing boat is suspended from two davits. It has four thwarts, a white painted interior and silvered davit hooks in the bow and the stern. It is secured on shaped rests and a mahogany base with chamfered edges. English, circa 1920. 

Provenance: Arthur Edward Swain and thence by descent. 

It is most unusual to find a working model showing davits in operation. Arthur Swain was a marine engineer involved with weapon design during and after World War II and then the Princess flying boats, before joining the United Nations in the Industrial Development Organization. The Saunders-Roe Princess was developed and built in Cowes, Isle of Wight in the 1950s, and intended to serve the transatlantic route, carrying up to 100 passengers between Southampton and New York City in luxury and comfort. Despite three aircraft being built, delays and problems with the Bristol Proteus turboprop meant they never flew commercially. The Princesses were the largest all-metal flying boats ever constructed.