Merchant barks such as the 1,000-ton "Marie Rose," which was built between about 1875 and 1880, succeeded the fast clippers and were designed for cargo capacity rather than for speed. The bark rig reduced the need for a large crew, resulting in vessels that were more economical and were competitive with developing steamships. The bottom of the vessel's hull was sheathed with copper laid over tar and horsehair, for protection from sea worms, barnacles, and rot. Here, the roof of the forward deckhouse has been removed, so that viewers may appreciate how model builders occasionally continued their finely detailed work in spaces that were not readily visible.

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