The model ship hanging in front of the memorial chapel was not originally associated with this site. It was initially located in the northern part of the choir ambulatory. It depicts the frigate Carl Friedrich, which was probably built around 1835–40.

It is unlikely to be a votive ship in the strict sense of the term. Such ship models were often donated to churches as a token of gratitude for a safe return home after surviving a maritime emergency.
In the 19th century, alongside this religious significance, the decorative function of the models and their role as an expression of maritime identity became increasingly prominent.