Model of a Blackwall frigate East Indiaman, c. 1840.

Repro ID: H5640-2

Description: The 'Blackwall frigates' - Indiamen which had the single-decked appearance of that type of warship - were a series of vessels developed after the East India Company's monopoly of trade with China ended in 1833. The trade was thrown open to private companies, many of whom had previously chartered their ships to the company. The Company needed faster vessels to compete with its new rivals.

Creator: Unknown

Date: c. 1840

Credit line: National Maritime Museum, London