Roger Berry, of Woodstock, has had a passion for building model ships ever since he accompanied his parents on a tour of the Esmeralda cruise liner when it docked in Cape Town more than 60 years ago.
The 77-year-old retired car salesman is originally from East London, but his family moved to Cape Town when he was 6 and he grew up in Newlands. A resident of the Neighbourhood Old Age Homes (Noah) for the past 14 years, he recently put the finishing touches to a 19th century sailing ship about 90cm long and 50cm high.
Mr Berry says he builds the ships from scratch, relying purely on memory for reference.
He was 17 when he built his model ship, a replica of HMS Victory, the 104-gun flagship of British naval hero Lord Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
During his time at Noah, Mr Berry has built eight model ships from scratch and sold them for R3500 to R5500 to private companies that use them to decorate their offices.
His latest model took about one year to complete, he says. “My ships are made out of wood. I use metal for the planking of the whole of the ship. I use string to assist with the rigging of the ship. I use metal to make the cannons and anchor.”
Mr Berry says building the ships is relaxing and a source of much enjoyment.
“I am creating something that people would like to have in their boardroom and offices. As long as I enjoy doing it, it doesn’t matter how long it takes to finish; I do it with a certain finesse.”
