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Old ships' figureheads photo


druxey

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I just came across an interesting photo which shows half a dozen ships' figures mounted on a building in London:

 

https://spitalfieldslife.com/2020/09/24/william-whiffin-photographer-x/

 

Scroll down to the sixth image. I cannot reproduce it here to respect the copyright. It appears to have been taken in about 1900. The old Shot Tower on the South Bank (dismantled in about 1950) features in the first photograph of the series.

Be sure to sign up for an epic Nelson/Trafalgar project if you would like to see it made into a TV series  http://trafalgar.tv

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Good photos, and I especially liked the entire collecton. I used to work about two minutes walk from one of the London East End photos and recognised it immediately.

 

Back to the subject: here are some figurehead images collected over time from The National Archives UK. They are drawings in a file of assorted subjects and do not have additional descriptions beyond what is on each page. In context, it is possible these were proposals submitted to Their Lordships for figureheads and may or may not reflect what was actually chosen. Pretty, ain't they?

 

DSCN4189.thumb.JPG.f566a54ff5d1fa85603c97d94de676da.JPG

 

DSCN4190.thumb.JPG.5115b33ce6d0512fb31b4f373323ef2f.JPG

 

DSCN4191.thumb.JPG.4de935f009537cf0a34357cfc6f101b1.JPG

 

DSCN4192.thumb.JPG.372bf986635d83c3c3ff5e46397235bd.JPG

 

DSCN4193.thumb.JPG.95bee812ca9051e53c0dc5b92b9dc24a.JPG

 

 

 

DSCN4194.thumb.JPG.53557478b4aba170d8ecff2769a63a97.JPG

 

DSCN4195.thumb.JPG.3ff992b52cacf9b75cb40104c738f230.JPG

 

Maybe there are some more out there?

 

Bruce

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STAY SAFE

 

A model shipwright and an amateur historian are heads & tails of the same coin

current builds:

HMS Berwick 1775, 1/192 scratchbuild; a Slade 74 in the Navy Board style

Mediator sloop, 1/48 - an 18th century transport scratchbuild 

French longboat - CAF - 1/48, on hold

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6 hours ago, bruce d said:

Good photos, and I especially liked the entire collecton. I used to work about two minutes walk from one of the London East End photos and recognised it immediately.

 

Back to the subject: here are some figurehead images collected over time from The National Archives UK. They are drawings in a file of assorted subjects and do not have additional descriptions beyond what is on each page. In context, it is possible these were proposals submitted to Their Lordships for figureheads and may or may not reflect what was actually chosen. Pretty, ain't they?

 

DSCN4189.thumb.JPG.f566a54ff5d1fa85603c97d94de676da.JPG

 

DSCN4190.thumb.JPG.5115b33ce6d0512fb31b4f373323ef2f.JPG

 

DSCN4191.thumb.JPG.4de935f009537cf0a34357cfc6f101b1.JPG

 

DSCN4192.thumb.JPG.372bf986635d83c3c3ff5e46397235bd.JPG

 

DSCN4193.thumb.JPG.95bee812ca9051e53c0dc5b92b9dc24a.JPG

 

 

 

DSCN4194.thumb.JPG.53557478b4aba170d8ecff2769a63a97.JPG

 

DSCN4195.thumb.JPG.3ff992b52cacf9b75cb40104c738f230.JPG

 

Maybe there are some more out there?

 

Bruce

Wow these are pretty incredible! Thanks for sharing 

 

Current Builds:

Flying Fish - Model Shipways - 1:96

 

Future Builds:

Young America 1853 - Scratch Build - 1:72

 

Completed Builds:

HMS Racehorse - Mantua - 1:47 (No pictures unfortunately)

Providence Whale Boat - Artesania Latina - 1:25 (Also no pictures)

Lowell Grand Banks Dory - Model Shipways - 1:24

 

Shelved Builds:

Pride of Baltimore 2 - Model Shipways - 1:64 (Also no pictures)

 

 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

Found this in an old auction catalogue.

 

image.thumb.png.d14eceb445fa322debab3e1a77ef35ec.png

 

Part of the marine collection of the William Bell Chambers R.N. sold off in 1925.

 

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STAY SAFE

 

A model shipwright and an amateur historian are heads & tails of the same coin

current builds:

HMS Berwick 1775, 1/192 scratchbuild; a Slade 74 in the Navy Board style

Mediator sloop, 1/48 - an 18th century transport scratchbuild 

French longboat - CAF - 1/48, on hold

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Part of the estate auction of Max Williams, 1928.

 

marinecollection00ande_0_0004.jp2&id=marinecollection00ande_0&scale=2&rotate=0

 

marinecollection00ande_0_0018.jp2&id=marinecollection00ande_0&scale=4&rotate=0

 

marinecollection00ande_0_0056.jp2&id=marinecollection00ande_0&scale=4&rotate=0

 

marinecollection00ande_0_0057.jp2&id=marinecollection00ande_0&scale=4&rotate=0

 

 

🌻

STAY SAFE

 

A model shipwright and an amateur historian are heads & tails of the same coin

current builds:

HMS Berwick 1775, 1/192 scratchbuild; a Slade 74 in the Navy Board style

Mediator sloop, 1/48 - an 18th century transport scratchbuild 

French longboat - CAF - 1/48, on hold

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From the estate auction of Commander William Barrett R. N., 1928.

 

navalmarinecolle00ande_0_0033.jp2&id=navalmarinecolle00ande_0&scale=8&rotate=0

 

navalmarinecolle00ande_0_0035.jp2&id=navalmarinecolle00ande_0&scale=8&rotate=0

 

navalmarinecolle00ande_0_0036.jp2&id=navalmarinecolle00ande_0&scale=4&rotate=0

 

navalmarinecolle00ande_0_0038.jp2&id=navalmarinecolle00ande_0&scale=4&rotate=0

 

navalmarinecolle00ande_0_0039.jp2&id=navalmarinecolle00ande_0&scale=4&rotate=0

 

 

🌻

STAY SAFE

 

A model shipwright and an amateur historian are heads & tails of the same coin

current builds:

HMS Berwick 1775, 1/192 scratchbuild; a Slade 74 in the Navy Board style

Mediator sloop, 1/48 - an 18th century transport scratchbuild 

French longboat - CAF - 1/48, on hold

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From the estate of Nelson Dawson, 1924.

 

unset00ande_3_0069.jp2&id=unset00ande_3&scale=4&rotate=0

 

unset00ande_3_0068.jp2&id=unset00ande_3&scale=4&rotate=0

 

 

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STAY SAFE

 

A model shipwright and an amateur historian are heads & tails of the same coin

current builds:

HMS Berwick 1775, 1/192 scratchbuild; a Slade 74 in the Navy Board style

Mediator sloop, 1/48 - an 18th century transport scratchbuild 

French longboat - CAF - 1/48, on hold

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Other 1920s auctions:

 

rareshipmodels1800ande_0033.jp2&id=rareshipmodels1800ande&scale=2&rotate=0

 

rareshipmodels1800ande_0034.jp2&id=rareshipmodels1800ande&scale=2&rotate=0

 

-

importantmaritim00amer_0160.jp2&id=importantmaritim00amer&scale=9.016438356164384&rotate=0

 

earlyamericaneng00ande_0_0023.jp2&id=earlyamericaneng00ande_0&scale=4&rotate=0

 

earlyamericaneng00ande_0_0022.jp2&id=earlyamericaneng00ande_0&scale=2&rotate=0

 

earlyamericaneng00ande_0_0024.jp2&id=earlyamericaneng00ande_0&scale=2&rotate=0

 

earlyamericaneng00ande_0_0025.jp2&id=earlyamericaneng00ande_0&scale=4&rotate=0

 

earlyamericaneng00ande_0_0076.jp2&id=earlyamericaneng00ande_0&scale=2&rotate=0

 

earlyamericaneng00ande_0_0077.jp2&id=earlyamericaneng00ande_0&scale=4&rotate=0

 

 

🌻

STAY SAFE

 

A model shipwright and an amateur historian are heads & tails of the same coin

current builds:

HMS Berwick 1775, 1/192 scratchbuild; a Slade 74 in the Navy Board style

Mediator sloop, 1/48 - an 18th century transport scratchbuild 

French longboat - CAF - 1/48, on hold

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Interesting catalog, Bruce! Unfortunately Nereus of 1821 is nothing like the model shown. See:

 

https://collections.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/81806.html

 

The style of the model in the catalog looks later 18th century, not 19th. The 1821 ship had 38 guns and was considerably less sleek! The model appears to look similar to Speedy of 1781, but the tiny ports make me suspect that this was a merchant vessel, not a naval one. See:

 

https://collections.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/84422.html

Be sure to sign up for an epic Nelson/Trafalgar project if you would like to see it made into a TV series  http://trafalgar.tv

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23 minutes ago, druxey said:

Interesting catalog, Bruce! Unfortunately Nereus of 1821 is nothing like the model shown.

An auction catalogue with an error? Surely not! ;)

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STAY SAFE

 

A model shipwright and an amateur historian are heads & tails of the same coin

current builds:

HMS Berwick 1775, 1/192 scratchbuild; a Slade 74 in the Navy Board style

Mediator sloop, 1/48 - an 18th century transport scratchbuild 

French longboat - CAF - 1/48, on hold

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Another, from a 1928 sale.

 

europeanoriental00ande_0029.jp2&id=europeanoriental00ande&scale=2&rotate=0

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STAY SAFE

 

A model shipwright and an amateur historian are heads & tails of the same coin

current builds:

HMS Berwick 1775, 1/192 scratchbuild; a Slade 74 in the Navy Board style

Mediator sloop, 1/48 - an 18th century transport scratchbuild 

French longboat - CAF - 1/48, on hold

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1 hour ago, druxey said:

I doubt whether it was ever a figurehead.

At a height of 55 inches it may have been a decoration but I agree it seems short for a figurehead, even on a barge, but that is what the book says ...

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STAY SAFE

 

A model shipwright and an amateur historian are heads & tails of the same coin

current builds:

HMS Berwick 1775, 1/192 scratchbuild; a Slade 74 in the Navy Board style

Mediator sloop, 1/48 - an 18th century transport scratchbuild 

French longboat - CAF - 1/48, on hold

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Figure head from Lafitte's Le Gaspillarde, part of an auction in 1938. I will not post the original description due to the dated wording in the text.

 

rarecuriosobject00park_0060.jp2&id=rarecuriosobject00park&scale=4&rotate=0

 

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STAY SAFE

 

A model shipwright and an amateur historian are heads & tails of the same coin

current builds:

HMS Berwick 1775, 1/192 scratchbuild; a Slade 74 in the Navy Board style

Mediator sloop, 1/48 - an 18th century transport scratchbuild 

French longboat - CAF - 1/48, on hold

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  • 5 weeks later...

These are great examples.  I admire the craftsmanship and artistry that went into figureheads.  It's amazing that they have weathered time as well as many have.  

Current build: Great Harry, restoration 

On hold: Soliel Royale, Mantua

Completed:

Bluenose ll, Artesania Latina

San Francisco llArtesania Latina

Chris Craft barrel back triple cockpit, Dumas

Chris Craft 1940 double cockpit, Dumas

Santa Maria, Artesania Latina

1901 Scow Schooner, scratch built

Hannah, Continental Navy, scratch built 

Candelaria bomb ship, OcCre

Pride of Baltimore, Model Shipways

17 foot Chesapeake kayak (2, one scratch), Midwest

USN Picket Boat #1, Model Shipways

Kobuksan, Turtle Korean ironclad, YoungModeler

HMS Revenge, scratch

NY Pilot Boat, kit bashed, Model Shipways

USS Monitor, scratch

Nuestra Senora de Afortunado, 1926 Popular Science plan, Resoration

Martha, CBMM,

Puddle Jumper, scratch stern wheeler

Lady Sarah, kit bashed Constructo Victorian launch

 

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From 'The Strand' magazine on the Naval Exhibition of 1891:

 

image.thumb.png.6fd8f56cc45b66be28f2e172084a4c95.png

image.thumb.png.d7f10e7a84cb322f6868d8e3042576f8.png

image.thumb.png.51523969b618a11fd53c1f5c8e945ee2.png

image.thumb.png.621a2ac28df48f6dd61b83035413b2b5.png

image.thumb.png.f44c3ce88019177cb922cb7544aa80b5.png

image.thumb.png.63476610280874a11e4b893ca0cf751d.png

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STAY SAFE

 

A model shipwright and an amateur historian are heads & tails of the same coin

current builds:

HMS Berwick 1775, 1/192 scratchbuild; a Slade 74 in the Navy Board style

Mediator sloop, 1/48 - an 18th century transport scratchbuild 

French longboat - CAF - 1/48, on hold

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  • 2 weeks later...

... and a drawing of the correct figurehead for Victory at Trafalgar. These old magazines have their uses.

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A model shipwright and an amateur historian are heads & tails of the same coin

current builds:

HMS Berwick 1775, 1/192 scratchbuild; a Slade 74 in the Navy Board style

Mediator sloop, 1/48 - an 18th century transport scratchbuild 

French longboat - CAF - 1/48, on hold

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  • 2 weeks later...
40 minutes ago, shipman said:

Hackney Road and Cambridge Heath Road

Remember the 24 hour cafe at the top of Bethnal Green Road?

Edited by bruce d

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A model shipwright and an amateur historian are heads & tails of the same coin

current builds:

HMS Berwick 1775, 1/192 scratchbuild; a Slade 74 in the Navy Board style

Mediator sloop, 1/48 - an 18th century transport scratchbuild 

French longboat - CAF - 1/48, on hold

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Ship is not identified, part of the Bostonian Society collection.

 

BookReaderImages.thumb.jpg.d790f02f51732019149bfcb4dd2a77b8.jpg

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STAY SAFE

 

A model shipwright and an amateur historian are heads & tails of the same coin

current builds:

HMS Berwick 1775, 1/192 scratchbuild; a Slade 74 in the Navy Board style

Mediator sloop, 1/48 - an 18th century transport scratchbuild 

French longboat - CAF - 1/48, on hold

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Found this old model of Triumph (1764). There is a general resemblance to some of the 'Triumph' images in post#3. I have no way of checking this out at The National Archives due to lockdown, but it may be that those unattributed sketches in post#3 were proposals for an 'English' figurehead to replace the existing item after her capture from the French.

 

TRIUMPH.thumb.jpg.289bc944da6ccb3dfe074064fe88bafa.jpg

 

266845940_TRIUMPHdetail.jpg.035bdd67ec301891f664a83ce2efa0d4.jpg

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STAY SAFE

 

A model shipwright and an amateur historian are heads & tails of the same coin

current builds:

HMS Berwick 1775, 1/192 scratchbuild; a Slade 74 in the Navy Board style

Mediator sloop, 1/48 - an 18th century transport scratchbuild 

French longboat - CAF - 1/48, on hold

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Figurehead of the BRITANNIA in the grounds of the Naval College, Dartmouth.

 

image.png.1ec0a2770ab3ecac869a5bc7fb2cab2c.png

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STAY SAFE

 

A model shipwright and an amateur historian are heads & tails of the same coin

current builds:

HMS Berwick 1775, 1/192 scratchbuild; a Slade 74 in the Navy Board style

Mediator sloop, 1/48 - an 18th century transport scratchbuild 

French longboat - CAF - 1/48, on hold

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Figureheads of H. M. S. Marlboro'. & Duke of Wellington.
 
image.png.32e27e01dd696efae576d20fbf8adfe6.png

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STAY SAFE

 

A model shipwright and an amateur historian are heads & tails of the same coin

current builds:

HMS Berwick 1775, 1/192 scratchbuild; a Slade 74 in the Navy Board style

Mediator sloop, 1/48 - an 18th century transport scratchbuild 

French longboat - CAF - 1/48, on hold

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H. M. S. Warrior

 

 

image.png.ad104b881095c5aeaf9f2541bd0e711a.png

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A model shipwright and an amateur historian are heads & tails of the same coin

current builds:

HMS Berwick 1775, 1/192 scratchbuild; a Slade 74 in the Navy Board style

Mediator sloop, 1/48 - an 18th century transport scratchbuild 

French longboat - CAF - 1/48, on hold

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H. M. S. Bellerophone. Figurehead (note spelling: this is according to Imperial War Museum, location not specified)
 
image.png.62541126da008efec1d9919121430c09.png

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STAY SAFE

 

A model shipwright and an amateur historian are heads & tails of the same coin

current builds:

HMS Berwick 1775, 1/192 scratchbuild; a Slade 74 in the Navy Board style

Mediator sloop, 1/48 - an 18th century transport scratchbuild 

French longboat - CAF - 1/48, on hold

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