Amsterdam59 Model ship William Rex C. Moesman, 1698 510 x 464 x 225 cm (16.73 x 15.22 x 7.38 ft) The strength of the Dutch Republic was in its fleet. This impressive ship model was made for the Zeeland admiralty as a showpiece, a symbol of the powerful navy. Over five meters long, it is a smaller version of a large warship in every respect. It must have been made by a shipwright working for once on a smaller scale. Hull, anchors, cannons rigging, pulleys; nothing has been forgotten. Legend has it that Admiral Cornelis Evertsen himself supervised the work. The name William Rex - King William - refers to prince William III, who became stadholder in 1672. In 1689 her and his wife Mary Stuart also became king and queen of England. William III was very popular in Zeeland, and this is why the model was named after him.