Skip to main content
Advanced Search
Image Not Available for CAP SAN NICHOLAS miniature model
CAP SAN NICHOLAS miniature model
Image Not Available for CAP SAN NICHOLAS miniature model

CAP SAN NICHOLAS miniature model

Datelate 1940s - 2010
Object number00055679
NameModel
MediumComposite metal
DimensionsOverall: 35 × 25 × 20.6 mm, 248 g
ClassificationsModels
Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection Gift of Mr Achim Drescher
DescriptionThe CAP SAN NICHOLAS (1961) was part of Hamburg Suds 'Cap' Class, the shipping lines cargo and later container class of vessel, one of many that became known as a 'reefer'. This fleet was purpose built in the 1950s to transport refrigerated goods and automobiles from Europe to South America, most notably the Volkswagen. This model is part of a collection of Hamburg Sud model ships representing the German shipping company’s vast influence on the cargo and container line industry throughout the 20th and 21st century. They depict the technological innovations in container vessels and portside infrastructure in miniature. HistoryIn 1955 Hamburg Sud began constructing a new Cap class of vessel, purpose built to transport refrigerated goods and vehicles to South American ports. The Cap class began in 1900 with the CAP FRIO, an express steamship for emigrant traffic to South America distinguished by its yellow funnels, a trademark feature of all later Cap class vessels. A new express service to and from Brazil and Argentina during the 1950s allowed the Cap class to travel at a speed of 17 knots, taking four days off the service between Antwerp and Rio De Janeiro. The CAP BLANCO was the first vessel in the series, built by Flenderwerke in Lubeck and Howaldtswerke Hamburg. Launched January 29 1955 the CAP BLANCO offered 150,000 cubic feet of refrigerated space. A design innovation in shipping the CAP BLANCO's storage followed on from other recent advancements in Hamburg Sud vessels, such as the GUSTAV PISTOR and the BELGRANO, both launched in 1953. The GUSTAV PISTOR was the first German ship equipped with special decks to transport Volkswagens, the BELGRANO beginning the dry tramp-shipping segment, having no fixed schedule or set port of call. In 1957, the turbine tanker CAROLINE OETKER was added to the class, and was the largest ship in the German merchant fleet at a length of 201.20 metres. In 1958 Hamburg Sud expanded its refrigerated cargo business, installing its first full reefer vessels the CAP DOMINGO and CAP CORRIENTES. The 1950s Cap class evolved into what we know today as Hamburg Sud's container class of vessel. The CAP VALIENTE was launched in 1960 and possessed large refrigerating units to transport meat, fruit, vegetables and eggs, one of many ships that became known as 'reefers'. It was sold to Argentina in 1970 and renamed CACIQUE YANQUETRUZ. Hamburg Sud was established in 1871 as a public shipping company to operate a regular cargo and passenger line service between Europe and South America. Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries Hamburg Sud employed steamships such as the CAP FRIO for heightened emigrant traffic to South America, whilst also becoming intrinsically important to the Brazilian economy via the exportation of coffee. Following WWI, in accordance with the Treaty of Versailles, Hamburg Sud lost all of its ships. During the interwar years, Hamburg Sud received considerable support from the German Government to rebuild its fleet, taking a particular focus on its passenger line of vessel - such as the opulent CAP ARCONA (1929). At the outbreak of WWII Hamburg Sud had its largest fleet to date, with 52 ocean going ships and 114 auxiliary vessels, most of these vessels requisitioned in 1940 by the German government. The 1950s saw the development of the influential Cap Class, purpose built to transport refrigerated goods and vehicles to South American ports. This period further saw the establishment of Hamburg Sud’s global tanker branch, RUDOLF A. OETKER (RAO) and the end of Hamburg Sud's exclusively passenger vessels with the SANTA TERESA and SANTA INES (1953). In 1959 Hamburg Sud launched its Columbus Line servicing the west coast of North America and Australia/New Zealand. The Cap San Class of 1961 and 1962 saw the end of conventional cargo construction for Hamburg Sud - the COLUMBUS NEW ZEALAND (1971) marking the beginning of a new era of containership vessel. Columbus Line ships had bright red hulls, white superstructures, and white containers, renowned traits of the modern day Hamburg Sud vessel. During the 1980s Hamburg Sud continued to make technological changes to its vessels, the Columbus Class converting from turbine to motor propulsion in 1986 in order to save fuel. SignificanceThese Hamburg Sud delicate diecast miniatures have significance as a case study of cargo ship typology and in evocation of stories of shipping, commodities - Hamburg Sud started as a food company and retains this interest in new initiatives - and port infrastructure. There’s the enticement of the world in miniature, ship models, and the interest of the maker’s movement.