The Russian 20 gun brig Mercury was laid down in Sevastopol on January 28, 1819. She was 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 7 May 1820 and broken up on November 9, 1857.
The Mercury fought in many important naval battles during her career; the most notable being when Mercury (commanded by lieutenant A. Kazarsky) and two other ships were sailing back home from the Anatolia coast and faced a large Turkish fleet. Due to light winds Mercury was not able to escape (she was not a rapid ship), while two other russian ships went ahead. Two turkish SHIPS OF THE LINE engaged Mercury into an apparently hopeless battle, which, however the Russian crew decided to make a bold stand. After few hours of heavy fighting, the much smaller and massively out matched (on paper) Russian brig, maneuvering both under sail and oars, had severely damaged the rigging of turkish ships (dismasting at least one of them) and thus forced them to retreat.
It is recorded that after the battle, a navigator of one the Turkish ships made a comment praising Mercury for her gallantry and strength, 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””
Mercury is one of the most famous vessels of the Russian Navy, and Amati have researched this vessel as much as possible to make it as accurate and well detailed as it can be.
The Mercury kit includes laser cut wooden frames, keels and decks; double planking for the hull; metal fittings and brass photo-etched parts. Plans and instructions are included as well as a laser cut wooden stand.
Scale 1:64, Total Length 31.4", Height 23.6"
Advanced Skill Level.
Please note: The manufacturer of this wood kit is based in Italy.
Although complete plans and instructions are included, the limited English instructions
provided require critical thinking and some modification as needed.
This is not a build by numbers kit, and is not for everyone. Additional technique books, and or
access to the advice of an experienced wood modeler or wood model club is
recommended.
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