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Soleil Royal History: the French Warship of King Louis XIV in the 17th Century

Posted on March 2, 2023March 2, 2023 by Administrador DelBlog

It is, for sure, one of the largest and most powerful warships of the Baroque. Without a doubt, it is also the most beautiful decorated of the boats of the time, it was sublime. We are talking about the French warship that was part of the Navy of King Louis XIV during the 17th century. We are writing this post to learn about the history of the Soleil Royal, the Gallic ship of the line with 104 guns arranged in a battery on three levels, flagship of Admiral Tourville. The emblem of the ‘Soleil’ had been chosen by the French monarch as his personal symbol.

The history of the Soleil Royal begins with its construction in Brest (France) between 1668 and 1670. Who was in charge of carrying it out? The engineer Laurent Hubac, who takes two years to finish. It is launched in 1669, but unfortunately it lays unused in the port of Brest for years. At first, Soleil Royal does not enters into combat at all.

As we have already mentioned, its decoration is spectacular. The person in charge of this is Antoine Coysevox, a sculptor who creates all the decorations on the ship, including those on the gun embrasures. This plastic artist from the court of Louis XIV is also responsible for the impressive and still existing ornaments of the Palace of Versailles.

Print of the Soleil Royal from the Louvre Museum. — BERAIN Jean I, Musée du Louvre, Département des Arts graphiques, INV 23718, Recto.

SOLEIL ROYAL HISTORY: NINE YEARS’ WAR

The history of the Soleil Royal continues, does not stop. Subsequently, the Soleil Royal is commissioned with 112 guns and 1,200 men on board when the Nine Years’ War in 1688. Also, called War of the Great Alliance, War of the Palatinate and War of the League of Augsburg.

The King decides at first to send all his ships prepared to sail and for battle. However, seeing himself in inferior conditions, he also orders to send the useful ships, even if they are moored to the dock, as is the case of our Soleil Royal. So this vessel departs from the port of Brest on June 22, 1690.

Then, Tourville commands the French ship, a highly respected officer in the Navy. The Soleil Royal remains waiting for a favorable wind to go to the Isle of Wight. There, the English fleet remains anchored after sending two French ships on a reconnaissance mission. On July 10, 1690, the Battle of Béveziers (Beachy Head) broke out with the surprise factor of the French attacking the Anglo-Saxons. After its victory, France seizes control of the English Channel.

The role in history of the Soleil Royal is fundamental as the flagship of the Escadre du Ponant (Squadron of the West) leading the French naval formation on the squad center. It is said that it is a good sailboat, it sails optimally, and its firepower is lethal.

THE FRENCH WARSHIP AT THE BATTLE OF BARFLEUR

Once its naval warfare began, the Soleil Royal became a French war emblem. Now with 104 guns, the French ship leaves the port of Brest on May 12, 1692 leading a fleet with 44 more ships. It may seem that there are many. However, on May 29, the French ships encountered the incredible Anglo-Dutch naval force. 97 powerful warships await the French in the Battle of Barfleur.

The crossfire starts! The Soleil Royal and its companions, being vastly outnumbered, decide to attack the enemies. After an arduous fight, it is forced to flee because of the serious damage suffered. Its crew is depleted by half and can barely sail. For this reason, the Soleil Royal and the ships Triomphant and Admirable are forced to anchor in Cherbourg to be repaired. They cannot reach the port of Brest, further away than the one mentioned.

END OF THE SOLEIL ROYAL AT THE BATTLE OF CHERBOURG

The history of the Soleil Royal ends at the Battle of Cherbourg. While docked at the Pointe du Hommet, the French warship is attacked by 17 ships which it repels with its artillery fire. The problem is that the stern of the ship catches fire and spreads the rest on the ship of the line.

With the help of the population of Cherbourg, only one survivor can be rescued from the around 883 – or even more – crew. The end of the history of the Soleil Royal, it remains near the arsenal of the port. Of course, its legacy continues throughout the seas and world naval history. A detailed 1:40 scale model from 1839 of the hull and sculptures of the Soleil Royal is currently on display at the Musée National de la Marine in Paris.

For our part, from Artesanía Latina, we are pleased to bring you this beautiful and faithful miniature replica in wood at 1:72 scale of the Soleil Royal (22904) that you can build with your own hands. For more in-depth information, there is another post on our blog that talks exclusively about the model. If you are an expert modeller and need a challenge at your level and with such beauty… Our Soleil Royal model is for you!

Naval & Aviation History

Santa Ana Vessel History (I): The Pioneer Colossus of European Warships of Its Class

Posted on October 20, 2022October 28, 2022 by Administrador DelBlog

We are lucky and our elite modelers friends too. You already know that we have manufactured a new edition of a very famous Spanish ship of the line: the so-called ‘Trafalgar 1805’. Let’s get to know, then, the relevant history of Santa Ana vessel in order to have a better perspective of what this great ship was like before assembling its splendid model ship in wood at 1:84 scale.

HISTORY OF SANTA ANA VESSEL: DIMENSIONS

The Santa Ana was a Spanish ship of the line equipped with 112 cannons that was part of the glorious Spanish Armada. Of course, in the Battle of Trafalgar it was armed with 104 cannons and 32 howitzers, but… What were its measures? It had a length of 213.4 feet and a beam of 58 feet, in addition to a total weight of more than two tons. To build it, the plans of the Navy engineer José Romero Fernández de Landa were taken as an example. This, in turn, was based on how another ship of the line was created: the Purísima Concepción. In this case, the one who would direct the construction of the Santa Ana would be Miguel de la Puente, using the aforementioned guidelines, with the engineers Sánchez Bort and Tomás Muñoz.

The beautiful Santa Ana sailboat was erected as one of the pioneering ships with three decks called ‘Meregildos’. In this very special group of ships, there were also another seven that were born later as Príncipe de Asturias, Mejicano, Reina María Luisa, Conde de Regla, Salvador del Mundo, Real Carlos and San Hermenegildo. All were built based on the Santa Ana by Royal Order of 1786.

HISTORY OF SANTA ANA VESSEL: FEATURES

Its characteristics? Huge decks, great maneuverability, a strong military muscle thanks to its numerous cannons and a great resistance capacity against the attacks of the sea and enemies. It carried three masts with square sails and two or three artillery decks. It even had lightning rods and metal chains! If one fell, the system channeled the electrical discharge to the sea.

The history of the Santa Ana vessel shows it as one of the best. He created a new way of fighting in those times that would be essential for the Navy. The different ships lined up one behind the other to create an artillery front that fired at the same time. Although the Santa Ana was launched in 1784, even years later it still underwent some improvements.

The Santa Ana and her naval brothers became the best warships on the European continent. It was a ‘sea monster’. Their crew? 745 sailors on its three decks, as a warship. When a conflict broke out, it was increased to 1,050. And, in the Battle of Trafalgar, it was up to 1,102. Of course, the largest of the ships of the line would finally be Nuestra Señora de la Santísima Trinidad, called ‘El Escorial de los Mares’.

INITIAL MARITIME JOURNEYS OF THE SHIP OF THE LINE

The history of the Santa Ana vessel begins in 1785 with Commander Félix de Tejada at the helm to make its first voyage, its first test. The maritime route began in El Ferrol and ended in Cádiz. He realizes that, even though it is very resistant in the worst navigation conditions, certain improvements must be made to the rigging and he opens the third La Carraca breakwater a year later.

In July 1797, the ship of the line Santa Ana begins to forge its legend. Admiral Jervis and Rear Admiral Nelson of the British Royal Navy attempt to storm Cádiz. And that is where sixteen gunboats are positioned between Rota, La Caleta (gate of Seville) and Sancti Petri, and an additional fifteen at the mouth of the port. Thus, they support the warship and reject the English under the orders of José de Mazarredo. Of course, the blockade and the British presence is repeated more times.

In February 1798, the Santa Ana resumed its maritime voyage with Mazarredo’s squadron. Twenty-two ships, five frigates and three brigantines to pursue the British fleet, made up of only 9 ships and several frigates. This withdrew towards San Vicente, while the Spanish squadron, failing to catch up with them, entered Cádiz again on the 13th. Jervis appeared four days later with twenty-two ships and six frigates to resume the blockade.

HISTORY OF SANTA ANA VESSEL: FIRST SETBACKS

Commander Baltasar Hidalgo de Cisneros took command in July 1799, aided by Lieutenant General Grandallana, campaigning in the Mediterranean and the Gulf of Cadiz. However, anecdotally, he was stranded shortly after starting his journey towards Brest together with the French fleet.

What happens then? That the Spanish warship is forced to return to the port of the Andalusian city to disarm and repair itself. A great setback for Spain for which Hidalgo de Cisneros is tried in court martial, although he is totally acquitted at the end of the process. Just before the Battle of Trafalgar, in which we will deepen in the next post, the history of the ship Santa Ana joins the captaincy of Alcalá Galiano between 1803 and 1804.

In the meantime, you can read more about the Santa Ana Line Ship Wooden Model (22905-N) and you can order it at this other link. Be amazed by its beauty and go ahead and build it!

Read the second part of the post…

Ship Models

Soleil Royal Ship Model 1/72: Possibly, the Best Naval Scale Model in Wood in 2021

Posted on December 9, 2021December 10, 2021 by Administrador DelBlog

Our model of the Swedish warship Vasa is impressive, we presented it to you months ago. The level of detail of Soleil Royal ship model at 1/72 scale is simply unimaginable. It is, without a doubt, currently the flagship of the firm Artesania Latina, with the permission of the King of France Louis XIV, who ordered the construction of the original in 1669. Almost a meter scale model in wood of the majestic Soleil Royal!

The powerful French warship in line possessed 104 guns at first, but then 8 more were added. It was fundamental in the Nine Years War in 1688. The wooden naval modeling kit Soleil Royal, a 17th century boat, for modeler with an elite level of skills, for the master, it can be assembled like the real boat at your own workshop. This is so because the actual construction system of the ship using false keel and frames is the one that has been adopted for the model itself.

The faithful miniature replica, made of wood, of the Gallic ship Soleil Royal at 1/72 scale has been created from 0. Our team has been informed with all the existing naval historical documentation to reflect faithfully the knowledge assumed in the modeling kit. Why? Because the Soleil Royal ship model is as similar as possible to this baroque ship that the sailors of the time fell in love with.

Once built, the wooden model measures 36.13” (935mm) long x 11.7” (285mm) wide x 34.29” (875mm) high.

Next, we highlight the details that make this scale model an irreplaceable artwork of the naval modeling.

SOLEIL ROYAL SHIP MODEL: PREMIUM QUALITY LASER CUT WOOD PARTS WITH PERFECT FIT

The quality of the parts that a naval modeling kit brings is essential for the modeler. When you open the box, what you expect is to find components of the highest level. The Soleil Royal ship model, made by Artesania Latina, even exceeds those expectations, its parts are of Premium quality .

It has 16 plywood and solid wood plates with high precision laser cut parts so that the modeler can fit them perfectly. We cut the parts to the micron and meet that high quality standard that we propose for our product catalog. To help our modelers friends even more, the parts have been engraved on the plate itself: you can see the number and some indications so that it can be quickly located during assembly.

It should be noted that our wooden parts have a eco-sustainable origin, including strips and veneers, among other elements. In these turbulent times that we run, Artesania Latina keep betting for the environmental conservation of our planet.

LUXURY AND NUMEROUS PHOTO-ETCHED PARTS FOR SOLEIL ROYAL SHIP MODEL

This new and shiny Soleil Royal shipt model at 1/72 sclae has very numerous and very realistic finishes. It has 5 photo-etched plates in brass, steel and die-cast that give this modeling kit a great superiority over the rest, given the large number of sculptures and other details it includes. Possibly the scale model that has the most in the entire market .

Our 3D designers and our modelers have jointly achieved very fine and elegant photo-etched parts to “help the modeler during assembly,” they comment, “thus giving spectacular finishes to this jewel of naval modeling”. It has been a commendable job digitally sculpting so many parts, and the result is incredible.

The transom windows, the rear side windows and the lanterns have a very elaborate design, they are very easy to assemble. The seconds can be illuminated and allow light to pass outside through the transparent acetate sheets that the modeling kit comes with.

Here are more images so that the modeler reader can get a better idea of the greatness that Soleil Royal ship model represents.

Thanks to the unboxing video below, you can see all the many magnificent parts that Soleil Royal wooden modeling kit brings.

ILLUMINATE YOUR SHIP MODEL THANKS TO THE PRE-INSTALLATION FOR LED LIGHTS

In the new 1/72 scale model of the Gallic warship Soleil Royal, we have developed a pre-installation LED lighting system. They have added “small supports in different lanterns”, specifies the 3D designer. Thus, the modeler friend who wishes to can attach LED lights so that the Soleil Royal ship model dazzles by its beauty anyone who passes by once exposed, it seems come alive.

To illuminate your Soleil Royal shipmodel, Artesania Latina gives you the opportunity to acquire the LED Lighting Set for Models and DIY Projects, not included in the aforementioned naval modeling kit. This has fixed lights and candle effect, battery holder and on / off switch to turn it on and off.

ACCURATE STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS AND VIDEO TUTORIALS FOR BUILDING THE MODEL

This new scale model of the French ship Soleil Royal has extensive, precise and very elaborate step-by-step instructions with full color photos. And Artesania Latina makes it even easier for the modeler with the inclusion of video tutorials. All on DVD format for the computer.

Artesania Latina modelers explain, in detail and without giving rise to the slightest doubt, the assembly process of the entire ship model in its almost 400 pages and 2,000 digital images. The modeler is provided with an improved and friendly building experience.

SOLEIL ROYAL SHIP MODEL IN WOOD: EXHIBITON BASE AND FIGURINES GIFTS

As a gift included in the modeling kit of the French ship model called Soleil Royal, the precious exhibiton base to splendidly display your scale model once it is finished. In addition, it has a classic and beautiful name plate in metal.

You can add even more life to your model of the French ship Soleil Royal with the Free Set of 12 Figurines to be assembled and painted that the naval modeling kit brings as a bonus. We also have paints for the figurines ! You can choose between using the Basic Set or the Advanced Set. Do not hesitate to buy these acrylic water-based paints separately.

WATER-BASED ACRYLIC PAINTS FOR SOLEIL ROYAL SHIP MODEL: UNBEATABLE FINISHES

For sale separately, the Soleil Royal ship model has a set to achieve the best finishes and to further highlight its majesty. The modeler can now find the exclusive Paints Set. 12 jars of 20 ml each, with quick drying water-based acrylic paints. Its colors: off white (x2), off black (x2), hull red, Prussian blue (x2), buff, cocoa brown, gold, burnt umber and vermilion.

At this point, we encourage our modeling friends to visit the product sheet of the Soleil Royal. Assemble this naval modeling artwork for elite hobbyists. They will not be able to stop enjoying their favorite hobby !