Were ship figureheads routinely removed?

[robnbill]

We were going through the Maritime museum/park in San Francisco today and read on one of the figurehead exhibits that it was in such good shape because the figureheads were removed once the ship was at sea. I had never read that before. Was this a period thing?

[Jim Lad]

Bill,

 

As far as I'm aware, the removal of figureheads at sea was a very occasional thing.  I don't think I've seen it mentioned in any of the actual accounts of voyages under sail that I have.  In fact, I've read a couple of accounts of parts of figureheads being removed while in port to protect them frm damage.

 

John

[Blue Ensign]

Not something I've heard of either, but I am surprised that removals took place at sea except under extreme circumstances.

Sailors were /are? a superstitious lot and from the earliest times viewed the figurehead as a symbol of the soul of a ship, a guardian providing comfort and security against the vagaries of the sea.

I would imagine that certainly in the 18th century and earlier removal of the figurehead would be considered very bad luck for the ship and viewed with dismay by the crew members.

 

B.E.

[uss frolick]

One rare exception: The Sloop USS Hornet, 1807-1829, had two figureheads. A gilded eagle clutched a starred-and-striped shield in her talons when the Hornet was in port, but when at sea, it was replaced with a simple billethead. This must have been a difficult task, at best, that the crew did not look forward to.

[dvm27]

I seem to recall seeing a painting wherein the ship's figurehead was encased in a protective cage while at sea (iron). Anyone else remember something like this?

[uss frolick]

I saw that cage too many years ago. I think it was on a plate in the Jean Boudriot Press reprint of the (French industrial spy) Blase Oliver book, circa 1737.

[dafi]

We once had a discussion about this cage in our german forum.

 

Achilles gave the hint there that in the thesis from Steere 2004 (The Evolution of Decorative Work on Englisch Men of War) it is guessed, that it was probably only a trial.

 

http://repository.tamu.edu/bitstream/han....pdf?sequence=1

pages 67/68

 

Cheers, Daniel

Edited November 19, 2014 by dafi

[mtaylor]

Have a look here: http://nautarch.tamu.edu/Theses/pdf-files/Olsen-MA1984.pdf   page 232.

[michaelpsutton2]

I have read that many of the British "tea clippers", in the 1860's & 1970's would remove their figureheads, put covering boards over the scroll work on the trailboards and paint over the brass rails during long passage to and from the east. When they neared port all of the decorative work would be revealed again.

 

But this is a very specific trade and and very limited period. These ship were in a lucrative, high prestige trade where appearance was very important. This was during the time when the results of the annual tea races was front page news. I doubt if this happened often in common merchantmen or naval vessels.

 

It's hard to remember but I think you can find references to this practice in the journals of the captain of the tea clipper Ariel if you can find a copy.

[Mark P]

I have several books on ships' figureheads and carvings,  both naval and merchant vessels,  and none of them mention the removal of the figurehead. 

 

18th Century full-length figureheads were massive constructions,  much larger than life-size,  and would surely have been impossible to remove whilst at sea.  If there ever was such a practice,  it must have been limited to smaller figureheads.

 

That said,  though,  the beast heads on the prows of Viking longships were apparently removed when approaching land,  if they were coming in peace,  in order not to frighten the local spirits.

 

This might be the origin of a mistaken belief amongst some people that figureheads were routinely removed.

 

Mark P

[NHDave]

I have several books on ships' figureheads and carvings,  both naval and merchant vessels,  and none of them mention the removal of the figurehead. 

 

18th Century full-length figureheads were massive constructions,  much larger than life-size,  and would surely have been impossible to remove whilst at sea.  If there ever was such a practice,  it must have been limited to smaller figureheads.

 

That said,  though,  the beast heads on the prows of Viking longships were apparently removed when approaching land,  if they were coming in peace,  in order not to frighten the local spirits.

 

This might be the origin of a mistaken belief amongst some people that figureheads were routinely removed.

 

Mark P

I too have read of this on Cape Hornners.

[druxey]

I doubt very much (with the clipper exceptions noted above) whether figures were removed. These weighed a considerable amount (even a small lion on a sixth rate was almost 8' 0" high) and all the rigging in the vicinity would be a serious impediment to doing this, even in harbour.

 

The contemporary (c.1720) sixth rate figure in the NMM collection shown weighs 180kg (396lbs)!

[dafi]

My thinking, too big to be removed on sea. 

 

Druxey, thank you for the link, it fitted for some research we are doing in our german forum!

 

XXXDAn

Edited November 20, 2014 by dafi