Historical information

The Loch Torridon was built in response to the need for a large cargo-carrying ship in the 1870s becoming famous for being one of the most per4fect four-masted barques ever built. She was built for the Loch Line in 1880 by Messrs. Barclay, Curle, and Co. Her measurements were 287 feet in length and 42 feet in beam, and 24 feet depth of hold. She was well sparred and her sail plan was so perfectly balanced that she was a very handy ship, easy on her helm, which was not a common virtue amongst large four-masted ships of her day. Her sails were interchangeable on all three masts, which was common in the last days of sail for both economical and practical purposes. The Loch Torridon was considered one of the most graceful and elegant ships ever launched from the Glasgow shipyards.
The first master was Captain Pinder, the first cargo was bound for Melbourne Australia, after which she went on to Calcutta with a cargo of horses. On August the 22nd 1882 with a cargo of Jute onboard loaded in Calcutta the Loch Torridon ran into a storm. Sailing in heavy seas the captain, the second mate also the man at the wheel, and a boy was washed overboard with the first mate just escaping the same fate. Captain Pinder and the crew members could not be rescued and were never seen again with the first mate having to bring the ship home.
The next Captain was Robert Pattman who was regarded as a fine navigator and seaman who sailed the Loch Torridon for the next twenty-six years and nine months. He had made 25 voyages around the world during this time without any serious mishap. In 1909 Captain Pattman resigned his command of the ship to switch to a steam vessel but unfortunately was injured on his first voyage and had to be landed at Falmouth, he dies of his injuries shortly afterwards.
The Loch Torridon kept on sailing until 1915 after having been sold to a Russian company two years earlier. Near the end of January 1915, the ship sprang a leak of the west coast of Ireland and was abandoned sinking shortly afterwards.

For further information regards possible maker of the model see Provenance sec this document:

Significance

The item is of significance as an item made possibly by a man who served on the original ship making the item of historical significance given that the original craft was a well-known and respected trade vessel making voyages between England and Australia as well as the near East.

Physical description

Ship model Loch Torridon 4 masted, hull is black, grey and white. Ship in full sail with 4 lifeboats on deck. Ship sits on textured base. Has plain blue background.

Inscriptions & markings

None