Model of the frigate Santa Rosalia (26 guns)

Built at the Cartagena naval base in around 1767 by an unknown shipbuilder, and based on plans drawn by Eduardo Bryant in accordance with the Jorge Juan system, this is a typical shipbuilder's model, built to a large scale. The hull is laid with vertical wales, and the planking of the decking is unfinished.

On January 21, 1766, the order was sent to Cartagena to build a frigate named Santa Rosalía. The order was issued by Royal Decree on November 1 and fulfilled by Eduardo Bryant, who laid down the keel on June 5 in a slipway located to the south east of the dock. It was launched on April 1, 1767. The carvings on the stern were probably the work of José Ganga, master ship carver who worked at Cartagena from 1747 until his death in 1767. The crew was around 280 men during war time.

On October 29, 1768, it set sail from Cartagena for the Pacific Ocean, along with the ships Septentrión and Astuto. It formed part of the exploration and reconnaissance expedition which, under the command of Felipe González Ahedo, left Callao on October 10, 1770. The expedition was formed of the ship San Lorenzo, captained by González Ahedo himself, and the Santa Rosalía, captained by Antonio Domonte. In 1774 the frigate set sail from Cádiz on a scientific expedition to gather data on navigation and geography, captained by Juan de Lángara. In 1780, under the command of Antonio Ortega, it took part in the Battle of Cape St. Vincent. Under the command of the frigate captain Ángel González de Miera, the frigate Santa Rosalía set sail from Cádiz on December 19, 1790, heading for Cartagena de Indias with supplies and equipment from La Carraca naval base to be used in shipbuilding, as well as artillery munitions. Having returned to the Iberian Peninsula, it headed for the naval station at Algeciras, entering Cádiz on June 29, 1792 bringing munitions and supplies for La Carraca. It remained in Algeciras under the command of captain Pascual Ruiz de Huidobro, who was replaced by captain José Justo Salcedo Araujo shortly after. Complying with a Royal Order issued on March 7, 1802, the frigate Santa Rosalía was put up for sale due to its poor state of repair.

This model was recorded at the Cartagena naval base on August 25, 1770. From there it was sent to the Naval Museum by José Fermín Pavía on September 28, 1846