Scale: Not to scale. A contemporary working model of a William Tucker's patent steering gear. The model depicts a method for steering a vessel using a pivotal propeller instead of a conventional rudder. The model is made almost entirely in brass which is lacquered, and has steel fittings. The steering mechanism consists of a cylindrical bed mounted between two brass plates with semi-circular ends, the straight edges of which are connected by a pair of turned brass columns. Mounted on top of the upper most plate within a square frame is the main steering and pivoting mechanism whose operation can be worked by turning an ivory handle. The handle causes the two bladed propeller to rotate. A second handle, similar to a ship's steering wheel and mounted horizontally, pivots the propeller through 180 degrees. The model is mounted on a solid mahogany base board which is exactly the same shape as the brass plates. On the straight upright face of the baseboard are two rings for facilitating its removal from its case and between them is an ivory plaque inscribed 'Tuckers patent H Chapman Modeller 2 Owens Road Clerkenwell'.The model is stored in a bespoke leather cupboard travelling case which also contains copies of the patentee's description, specifications and diagrams.