Historical information

This draft plan, a line etching, is of the wooden clipper ship "Schomberg" . It can be assumed from the heading "Ship Building." and the phrase "Built by Messrs. A Hall & Co. of Aberdeen" that the drawing is an example of plans for building a ship, and that the Schomberg ship has chosen to demonstrate this. The plan may have possibly been in a book, as it is made from two well-joined pieces of paper. The original plans would have been drawn up, discussed, reviewed and drawn in more detail before the building of the ship in Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1855. Information on the draft Is as follows:

“Principal dimensions:
Length between the perpendiculars: 262 feet 6 inches
Length of keel 245 feet
Breadth extreme: 45 feet
Breadth of frame: 42 feet
Depth of hold: 29 feet 9 inches
Burthen in tons, Builders Old Measurement: 2600 Tons”

The publisher firm A & C Black, was founded by Adam and Charles Black in Edinburgh in 1807. Over the years the company has published editions of Encyclopedia Britannica and Whose Who, and reference books, guides and technical books.

The printer G Aikman (1788-1865) or his son G Aikman (1830-1905), were both named George. George senior was an early-19th century Scottish printer and publisher. After his death his son became the sole proprietor of the firm until he sold it in 1876.

Significance

The draft plan uses the vessel Schomberg as its example ship building plan for demonstration purposes. It is significant for its association with the Victorian Heritage Registered shipwreck, the Schomberg. It is an example of a shipo building plan.
The Schomberg collection is primarily significant because of the relationship between the objects, as together they have a high potential to interpret the story of the Schomberg.
The Schomberg collection is archaeologically significant as the remains of an international passenger ship.
The shipwreck collection is historically significant for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and its potential to interpret sub-theme 1.5 of Victoria’s Framework of Historical Themes (living with natural processes). The collection is also historically significant for its association with the shipwreck and the ship, which was designed to be fastest and most luxurious of its day.
The Schomberg collection meets the following criteria for assessment:
Criterion A: Importance to the course, or pattern, of Victoria’s cultural history.
Criterion B: Possession of uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of Victoria’s cultural history.
Criterion C: Potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of Victoria’s cultural history.

Physical description

Plan; line engraving; draft of the wooden clipper ship 'Schomberg', built in 1855. The drawing on cream paper is made from two well- joined pages. The drawing gives the principal dimensions and labels for the Body Plan, Middle Section, Sheer Plan and Half Breadth Plan. Inscriptions are on the drawing and its rough cardboard storage folder.
Publisher: A & C Black. Edinburgh.
Printer: G. Aikman sc. Edinborugh

Inscriptions & markings

On drawing:
"SHIP BUILDING" "Draught of the Wooden CLIPPER SHIP SCHOMBERG", Buiilt by Messrs A Halt & Co. of Aberdeen"
"Vol XX" "Plate III"
"Principal Dimensions""BODY PLAN" "MIDDLE SECTION" "SHEER PLAN" "HALF BREDTH PLAN"
"Published by A & C Black, Edinburgh"
"G Aikman sc. Edinr"
On storage folder: "Receipt Number 381A: "Line engraving draught of wooden ship "Schomberg" "