A Pair of Victorian Fine Half Hull Models of the Margaret Mitchell and Robina Mitchell, Both Ships Three Masted Wooden Clippers Built by Archibald McMillan and Son on the Clyde

A Pair of Victorian Fine Half Hull Models of the Margaret Mitchell and Robina Mitchell, both Ships Three Masted Wooden Clippers Built by Archibald McMillan and Son on the Clyde. These fine models, with the names of the vessels at the bottom left, are large-scale half hulls, with the profiles of the ships unusually made from alternating strips of mahogany and satinwood. Each vessel has three masts, and the models are mounted on mahogany backboards. The use of such premium materials makes clear that these presentation models were made on a “no expense spared” basis. The two vessels concerned were sister ships, the Margaret Mitchell and the Robina Mitchell, and both were made by the highly regarded firm of shipbuilders Archibald McMillan and Son in Dumbarton. They were part of a small fleet of ships all made by McMillan to the order of the merchant Thomas Mitchell. Both ships are recorded on the Clydeships.co.uk website, but the dating for Margaret Mitchell there is incorrect. Our research has established that Margaret, named after Thomas Mitchell’s eldest daughter, was launched in 1853. The launch was described in the Glasgow Free Press, 5th of November 1853, as follows: ‘LAUNCH AT DUMBARTON’ There was launched, on Wednesday, from the building yard of Messrs. Archd. McMillan & Son, Dumbarton, a ship of 1,000 tons register, classed A1 at Lloyd’s for 13 years. This vessel is considered by competent judges to be one of the finest specimens of naval architecture that has yet been produced on the Clyde, and, from her beautiful model and fine clipper lines, is expected to prove one of the fastest vessels afloat. She is the property of Thomas Mitchell, Esq., Glasgow, and intended for the East India trade. The ceremony of naming the ship was performed by Miss J. J. Mitchell, daughter of the owner, when the Margaret Mitchell glided into her future element amid the cheers of a large concourse of spectators. Dumbarton has become famed for the building of iron steamers and ships, and launches are of almost daily occurrence. The large tonnage of the Margaret Mitchell, and the fact of her being built of wood, attracted more than usual attention.’ After a successful period of operation as part of Mitchell’s fleet, the vessel was advertised for sale ‘in consequence of the dissolution of partnership’ in the Shipping and Mercantile Gazette, 4th of June 1862. The sale notice read as follows: ‘THE FINE SHIP MARGARET MITCHELL’ A1, thirteen years, just discharged 1,400 tons of tea in the Victoria Docks, and loaded outwards 1,864 tons of cargo to Sydney without ballast, and went from Sydney to Newcastle with 56 persons only; sails with few hands, and is a most profitable ship.’ The Robina Mitchell, meanwhile, had already been launched in 1848. A record of her launch can be found in the Sun, 22nd of August 1848, which reads as follows: ‘LAUNCHES AT DUMBARTON’ At half past two o’clock yesterday, there was launched from the ship-building yard of Messrs. Archibald McMillan and Son a splendid new ship of 563 tons register, named Robina Mitchell, the property of Thomas Mitchell, Esq., shipowner, Glasgow, and intended to sail as consort to the Flora Kerr in the East India trade, and to be commanded by Captain James McNidder, late of the Flora Kerr. She has been built under careful inspection. The workmanship is very substantial, and the finishings in all departments are most complete and do much credit to the builders. The ceremony of christening was gracefully performed by Miss Jemima Mitchell, daughter of the owner, when the Robina Mitchellglided majestically into the water, amidst the cheers of a respectable concourse of spectators.’ Robina was named after Thomas Mitchell’s second wife. Thomas Mitchell was a highly successful merchant operating out of Glasgow and, aside from his cargo runs, his ships were also sometimes responsible for part of the passenger trade. In particular, his vessels are known to have taken passengers to the British colonies in Australia. Margaret Mitchell Height 10 1/2 inches Width 52 1/2 inches Model length 46 1/2 inches Robin Mitchell Height 101/2 inches Width 42 inches Model length 36 inches