SS CORRIMAL built by the Greenock & Grangemouth Dockyard Company Limited, Grangemouth
Datec 1911
Object number00031703
NameModel
MediumWood, metal, glass
DimensionsOverall: Height: 410 mm, width: 1860 mm, depth: 270 mm
ClassificationsModels
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Howard Smith Industries Pty Limited
Collections
DescriptionHalf model of the steamship CORRIMAL constructed from a solid timber hull by Greenock & Grangemouth Dockyard Co Ltd in England. This model dates from 1911 and was probably a ship builder's tool.HistoryShip builder's half block models were produced to demonstrate the shape of a vessel and were constructed by joining a series of planks together. Builders then used the model as a reference when cutting and fitting timbers for the full scale vessel.
SS CORRIMAL was a steel hulled single screw steam collier of 1140 tons. It was built in 1911 at Grangemouth, in the United Kingdom for G S Yuill Co. and was registered in Sydney in 1912. After being purchased by James Patrick & Co. in 1927 SS CORRIMAL was utilised as a general cargo carrier on the Melbourne-Sydney-Brisbane run. During World War II the vessel was bought by the government and used as a troop transport to the Pacific. In 1950 CORRIMAL was sold to Bitumen and Oil Refineries Australia Pty Ltd and then to Miller Steamship Company Ltd in 1951, at which time it was renamed AYRFIELD. As AYRFRIELD the ship operated as a coal collier from Newcastle to Blackwattle Bay and in 1972 the vessel was organised to be broken up and taken to Homebush Bay.
SignificanceBefore a ship was built a half model such as this was created to plan a vessel's design and to display the hull to the ship builders and clients. These skilfully crafted models are replicas of their full scale counterparts and provide details of the design and build of individual vessels. This particular model highlights the career of SS CORRIMAL in Australia's coal trade.
