Mercury 38"

• 38 " long x 13" wide x 32 " high (1:32 scale)
• real copper plated hull (done on the actual mercury to toredo worm from destroying the hull)
• built with rare, high quality woods such as walnut, cherry, birch, maple and rosewood.
• perfectly taught rigging with varied thread color and thickness.
• masterfully stitched, thick canvass sails that hold their shape and do not wrinkle
• meticulously hand painted to the actual mercury
• machine turned brass cannons and metal anchors
• amazing details – tied down deck cannons, planked deck with nail holes, cannon ball racks, authentic lfeboat, rudder chains and more
• rests perfectly on a large wood base between four arched dolphins (marble base pictured)
• to build this ship, extensive research was done using various sources such as the original plans and drawings
• visit our frequently asked questions or call with questions

The Mercury (a 20-gun Brig) that was laid down in Sevastopol on January 28, 1819, and designed as a patrol ship to guard the Northern Caucasus coast. Built of Crimean oak, with a shallow draught and equipped with oars, the Mercury was launched on May 7, 1820 and disassembled on November 9, 1857. In this it differs from other Brigs of the Russian Navy at the time; other Brigs were not built this way because a shallow draught limited and lowered the maximum speed considerably. Oars were also seen as disadvantageous. This difference resulted from the fact that its original task was considered unique among its designers.

The Mercury fought in several significant naval battles during its existence. One of the most notable of these battles involved a battle between the Mercury (which was, at the time, commanded by lieutenant A. Kazarsky) and two other brigs against a sizable complement of approximately 14 Turkish ships, who were returning from the shores of Anatolia. Turkish victory was at first foreseeable, but the tides of battle changed, and the Mercury was able to escape after a final, powerful assault by the three brigs, ending the conflict.

After the conflict had ended, one of the navigators of the Turkish ships made a comment commending the Mercury for her seaworthiness, and the captain for his bravery:

If in the great deeds of ancient or our times there are the feats of bravery, so this act put the others in the shade and the name of a hero should be wrote by the gold letter in the shrine of glory: the captain was Kazarsky, and the name of this brig was “Mercury”