The Story

The Red Knight was originally built in July 1777 as HMS Vestal, a Sphinx-class post ship (also known as a sixth-rate ship). While sailing off the coast of Newfoundland later that same year, Vestal encountered a violent gale and was said to have sank, all aboard perishing with her. However, in 1808, an unidentified black and maroon ship was spotted on the horizon by HMS Shannon during a regular patrol off the coast of Mayaguana in the Bahamas. Eyewitnesses later claimed that the ship was shaped similarly to HMS Camilla, a sister ship to Vestal.

Throughout the next several years, US, British, Spanish, and French ships alike suffered casualties during conflicts with the ship, which had become known as the Red Knight due to its color and figurehead. It was not until 1813, when making port in Santo Domingo, that she and her crew were captured by the Spanish Navy. Thus, the great tales of piracy and the Red Knight had come to an end... or had they?

The Build

The Red Knight is composed of 3,950 pieces and replicates closely a Sphinx-class post ship (like stated above). She is armed with ten 24-pound guns and has a crew of nine (plus Skelly, the skeleton) as well as a cat, mouse, pig, and parrot. Inside the elaborate cabin there is a desk with maps, letters, and a compass and at the front of the ship there is a capstan to reel in the anchor. On the foremast (the first one) there is a crane for hauling cargo in and out of the hold. The Red Knight is also equipped with two rowboats for heading ashore and performing other tasks. All around the ship are elaborate gold decorations – made out of the gold from several years' worth of piracy!

Dimensions (LxWxH):

Inches: 32.2 x 9.9 x 20.5

Centimeters: 81.9 x 25.2 x 52.2

Studs: 102.4 x 31.5 x 65.2

Why should my design be chosen?

For quite some time now, the LEGO pirates fan community has been yearning for a restart of the pirates theme. In 2020, LEGO IDEAS released Pirates of Barracuda Bay and pirates fans gobbled it up (the current price of 21322 new in sealed box reflects its value). Since then we haven't received anything – besides the occasional collectible minifigure – until finally Privateer Frigate Fortuna was selected in the last Series. Now it's time for yet another fabulous ship!

If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment and I'll try to respond promptly!