Model of a gaff-rigged gunboat, anonymous, 1835
wood, brass, bronze, lead, mica, rope and textile, h 103cm × l 86cm × w 39cm Catalogue entry
Gunboats were deployed by the navies of various countries to protect their estuaries and rivers. This model represents the largest type used by the Royal Netherlands wNavy, the gaff-rigged gunboat. A number of them were used in the blockade of Antwerp during the Belgian Revolt. Gunboat No. 2 became the most famous when Lieutenant Jan van Speijk blew up the vessel in 1831, rather than risk its capture by Belgian insurgents.
