By Abbey Cannan
Museum staff are searching for anyone with historic knowledge of a mystery antique model ship found in a Noosa shop.
The antique model of the HMB Endeavour is thought to have been built sometime between 1888 to 1890.
Christopher Nelson from the Maryborough Military and Colonial Museum said the ship had been left at a Noosa shop on consignment by someone, likely a Noosa resident.
“The rigging on this model is amazing and accurate down to the smallest detail and only someone who had ’served before the mast’ would have known how to rig it like it is,“ Christopher said.
“We had a wooden boat builder look at it and he was amazed at the detail of the masts and rigging and confirmed that it is actually an older antique.
“It was located in a Noosa shop that had been purchased by a lady to start a hairdressing salon.
“The lady that bought the shop and the model ship retired in 2000 and returned home to Tobinga near Kingaroy taking the ship with her. She then donated the ship to the Kingaroy museum who has since gifted it to Maryborough.“
Christopher said they were hoping to discover a local family who may know the history of this antique mystery ship.
“It’s so big and detailed that it has to be a family heirloom or someone must know where it has come from,“ he said.
“If you are able to assist we would be extremely grateful.“
Anyone with information on the antique model of the HMB Endeavor can contact Christopher Nelson on 0407 966 037.
