HMS Albion
Third Rate Ship of the Line
Restoration & Conservation of a Rare 1762 Ship Model
An extraordinary 18th-century scale model of HMS Albion, built in 1762 by master model maker Mr Wm. Hessey, entrusted to Polaris Models for meticulous restoration and conservation.
Purpose: Historic Ship Model Restoration
Client: Hull Trinity House
Hull Trinity House is one of the United Kingdom’s oldest and most respected maritime institutions, with a history stretching back to 1369. Founded to serve the needs of mariners, it has evolved over centuries into a distinguished seafaring charity, combining the functions of an academy, mariners’ guild, and custodian of maritime heritage.
Its headquarters in Kingston upon Hull hold an extraordinary collection of maritime antiques, fine art, navigational instruments, and historic ship models — many of which are irreplaceable. Preserved with the utmost care, these artefacts tell the story not only of the city’s proud seafaring tradition, but also of Britain’s wider naval history.
To be entrusted by Hull Trinity House with the restoration of HMS Albion is a rare honour. The commission reflects the organisation’s commitment to safeguarding Britain’s maritime legacy, and it underscores the trust placed in Polaris Models to deliver work of museum-level precision, authenticity, and integrity.
Restoring an artefact of this age, scale, and significance demanded the utmost attention, patience, and respect for its original craftsmanship. The 74-gun Third Rate Ship of the Line model of HMS Albion, built in 1762, was first carefully transported from Hull Trinity House to our workshop. To ensure its safety, we engineered a bespoke transport cradle that minimised vibration and protected every delicate detail during transit.
Upon arrival, the model underwent a detailed inspection of every component, from the hull planking to the finest rigging line. Decades — even centuries — of accumulated dust, grime, and earlier repair attempts were evident. Cleaning was a delicate challenge: to preserve the authentic 18th-century paintwork, we formulated custom chemical solutions that would lift dirt without damaging the original pigments. Over the course of several months, this painstaking process consumed more than 7,000 cotton buds.
To address structural issues, sections of the decks were carefully opened. Here, we made a remarkable discovery: many of the ship’s original fittings, when broken or loosened over the years, had been dropped into the hull through open hatches. These recovered pieces — including guns, fittings, and ornamental elements — were cleaned, repaired, and returned to their rightful places. Any missing details were recreated with absolute fidelity, matching the scale, materials, and patina of the originals so precisely that the restoration work remains invisible to the casual observer.
Several poorly executed historical repairs were also identified and corrected, restoring the model to its original configuration. More than half of the rigging required replacement — an undertaking made possible by our custom ropewalk machine, which allowed us to replicate each line with the exact number of strands, correct thickness, and authentic twist. The new rigging was dyed and aged to match the surviving originals, blending seamlessly into the overall presentation.
During this meticulous conservation, we uncovered fascinating artefacts hidden within the ship — including letters from earlier restorations and a Victorian coin bearing the likeness of Queen Victoria. Each of these finds added another layer to the ship model’s story, deepening its historical significance.
Once the restoration was complete, the HMS Albion model was safely transported back to Hull Trinity House and reinstalled in its place of honour, preserved for future generations to admire.
This project stands among the most complex and rewarding ship model restorations ever undertaken by our team, requiring over 800 hours of dedicated work. When HMS Albion was returned to its place of honour within Hull Trinity House, the transformation was nothing short of remarkable.
Centuries of dirt and discolouration had been carefully lifted to reveal the model’s vivid original colours and fine detailing — features that had not been seen in their true brilliance for generations. The moment the restored ship was unveiled, it was met with genuine admiration and pride from all who viewed it.
For Hull Trinity House, the project was more than a restoration; it was the renewal of an irreplaceable piece of Britain’s maritime heritage. For Polaris Models, it was a privilege to ensure that this historic 1762 ship model will continue to inspire and educate for centuries to come.