Provenance

The model was presented in 1868 by the Marine Board of South Australia to Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh (1844-1900) when in command of H.M.S. Galatea. It represents a lifeboat constructed at Adelaide, Australia, in 1867, from designs by Mr. W.Taylor. Prince Alfred visited Australia between 1867-8 as part of a round-the-world naval tour.

According to the Adelaide Observer (Saturday 12 February 1870, p. 9), the model cost £29 14s 6d. 'It appeared that His Royal Highness had, as a nautical man, expressed great approval of the Lady Daly Life-Boat and asked that a model of it be sent home to the Kensington Museum for the inspection of the British public. The work was done and paid for by the Marine Board in small sums.'