Dear Craig,  If my memory serves me correct, several years ago (maybe
20+), either Dr. Jan-Jaap Haspels or Arthur W.J.G. Ord-Hume gave a talk
about them at what I believe was an MBSI Annual Convention.  It was
accompanied by a film showing the alleged operations of the 'Nef' Ship
Automaton.

I mention "alleged," the fact being that at the time the automaton
was not fully functional, and that the operation was approximated by
eye-witness accounts of the past.  So there is a remote possibility
that one of the 'Nef' Ship Automatons may have been fully or at least
partially restored since then, or the aforementioned project to
re-create one has been completed.  Maybe the film might be available
for study.  Hope this helps.

Sincerely,
D.F. Rowe
Bronx, New York

 [ At http://www.uhrenaktuell.de/royal-clocks_utrecht/030_Press_release_Royal-Music-Machines.pdf 
 [
 [ "Spectacular examples from the Renaissance are the ship automata
 [ that moved along the table as a showpiece during royal banquets. ...
 [ Once the spring-mechanisms are wound, the ship will sail forward,
 [ rolling on its invisible eccentric wheels.  Trumpeters play a flourish
 [ to the rhythmic accompaniment of a drummer and a kettle-drum player.
 [ Finally a wheel-lock mechanism is activated and a cannon loaded with
 [ gunpowder fires a deafening blast."
 [
 [ -- Robbie