Ships, Folk Art, and Whimsey in Bottles

This model is based on topsail schooners built in the Baltimore area during the 1840's. Other ships with a similar rigging type include "Pride of Baltimore" and "Amistad". H.H. Cole was built in Baltimore in 1843 and sailed out of Salem, Massachusetts. The model is built with an aspen hull and mahogany bulwarks, deck and trim. I took the idea from a painting in the Peabody museum in Salem, MA. The ship is flying St. Georges Cross, the state flag of Massachusetts as well as the US flag on the gaff mainsail.