Matchstick model of the Hougoumont

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2017

Overview

Large, light brown, wooden, model boat of the convict transportation vessel, the Hougoumont. Made from matchsticks, this model has three vertical masts on the main deck, which have white fabric sails furled up. Three white triangular fabric masts are unfurled at the front of the model. On the main deck are several figurines made from matchsticks, including one figurine being flogged. There are also several matchstick figurines on the yard arm of the central mast. All of the masts have rigging made from black string.

Historical information

This model ship was commissioned by the curatorial team at Fremantle Prison in 2017, for display in the Fremantle Prison exhibition Transportation. It was designed and made by an inmate at Karnet Prison Farm, who conducted in-depth research to ensure his design was historically and proportionally accurate. Questions were raised as to whether the Hougoumont had three or four masts, however historical evidence was found that the ship more likely had three masts. The artist also read personal accounts of those on board the Hougoumont to create the tableaus of the figurines on board, including a man being flogged whilst attached to the mast, which was described in a personal account of the voyage. The model is constructed from matchsticks and has a light blue flag on the rear mast which was the colour of flag flown when a ship leaves port. The finished work was delivered to Fremantle Prison in January 2018, where it was immediately placed on display as part of the Transportation exhibition.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-89-2018.2.1

Material

Wood

Width

600 mm

Height or length

700 mm

Depth

300 mm

Contextual information

The Hougoumont was the last convict ship to arrive in Australia. Sailing from London, the voyage took 89 days, reaching Fremantle on 9 January 1868. On board were 44 Pensioner Guards and their families and 279 male convicts, including 62 Irish political prisoners. The arrival of the Hougoumont at Fremantle marked the end of convict transportation to Australia. This scale model was meticulously constructed, and is an accurate representation of the Hougoumont, obtained from historical accounts of the ship’s design and its voyage to Fremantle.

Year

2017

Last modified

Wednesday, 19 November, 2025

Completeness

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Fremantle Prison