Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
58.53 |
Object Name |
Rudder |
Title |
Model of Temporary Ship's Rudder |
Artist |
Pakenham, Captain Edward |
Date |
1789 |
Description |
Wooden model of a rudder assembled from materials presumably available on shipboard, including planking, mast and jib stock. |
Label |
Captain Edward Pakenham designed this ship’s rudder, which won a gold medal from the Royal Society of Arts in London in 1789. The model illustrates Pakenham's idea for the rigging of an emergency rudder from materials available on a ship when the original rudder was lost or damaged. He claimed it was the only rudder that "can be got in working order in a few minutes." After testing his invention in the British ship Merlin off the coast of Newfoundland, Pakenham claimed that the crew could tell no difference in steering between the temporary rudder and the ship's permanent rudder. |
Dimensions |
W-3.125 L-12.375 inches |
Credit line |
American Philosophical Society. Gift of George Ord, 1847. |
Search Terms |
18th century eighteenth century invention travel maritime marine engineering |