Model of a twin-hulled ship

William Petty designed several twin-hulled ships between 1662 and 1684, Europe's first catamarans.

Initially they seemed promising. They were able to sail closer to the wind and in shallower waters than conventional ships. However sailors were reluctant to trust such an unusual vessel, and after two of his prototypes sank, Petty gave up. This model was made by Stephen Worlidge, a goldsmith at Portsmouth, and was given to the Society by John Houghton in 1685.