Ship replica

Reasons to build a replica include historic research into shipbuilding, national pride, exposition at a museum or entertainment (e.g., for a TV series), and/or education programs for the unemployed.

For example, see the project to build a replica of the Continental brig Andrew Doria.

The term "replica" in this context does not normally include scale models.

Some generic type replicas such as Thor Heyerdahl's Ra II, qualify as true replicas as these ships were built to investigate the craft and or culture of the original era.

The original was sunk in 1820 for preservation, and the ship has been rebuilt three times since.