Charles Miller Ltd
Lot 109
A 1:64 SCALE STATIC DISPLAY MODEL OF THE PASSENGER-CARGO LINER S.S. ANTONIO LOPEZ BUILT BY DENNY BROS FOR COMPAÑÍA TRANSATLÁNTICA ESPAÑOLA, S.A., 1882 the 60in. carved and laminated hull with lowered companionways, fitted lifeboats swung out in davits, decorative bow and stern, planked decks with painted metal and wood details as appropriate including ventilators, capstan, companionways, panelled deck accommodation with handrails, bridge with helm and telegraph over, stayed funnel with safety valve extension pipe, engine room lights, slatted benches, glazed saloon lights and emergency helm, three racked masts with rigging, mounted to wooden display board with nameplate, overall measurements -- 27 x 70in. (68.5 x 178cm.)Footnote: Named for the founder and owner of the Spanish Line, Antonio Lopez was steel-built with a double bottom and an attractive clipper bow complemented by a barque rig. Costing £102,000, she registered 3,235 tons, was 370ft long with a 42ft beam and had accommodation for 156 first-class, 72 second-class and 27 third-class passengers and a further 1,100 for troops or steerage in portable berths, along with a cargo capacity of 97,030 cu ft. Delivered by Denny Bros on 2nd March 1882, she was able to steam at a respectable 14.85kts. She enjoyed a successful career until 1898 when she was caught up in the Spanish-American war. On 28 June 1898, two American cruisers fought with a squadron of Spanish warships consisting of one cruiser, two gunboats and the Antonio López which had a cargo of military supplies. She was pursued by U.S.S. Yosemite and, under gunfire, ran aground at Ensenada Honda. Most of the valuable cargo was salvaged from the wreck, which now lies in 1700ft of water and is the only Spanish wreck from this conflict in American waters.
