Ships’ Figureheads: Famous Carving Families

Over centuries past, powerful nations and empires have expressed their might and control in part through the strength of their navies and their industrial and commercial prowess through fleets of vessels whether powered by sail or later steam. The desire to add ornamentation to even the most utilitarian of objects is evident throughout history, and ships were no exception. The task to create decorative forms that became part of a functional object was for the shipping industry the job of the ship’s carver; a profession that demanded artistic ability together with a knowledge of the functional requirements of the vessel. When decoration was applied to a military vessel, it was for the purpose of presenting an overwhelming sense of indomitable strength. Imagery taken from biblical texts or ancient myths and legends provided heroic figures that not only emphasised power, but also established the political and theological ideology that each nation wished to uphold or impose. Written by a professional ship’s carver who has restored many figureheads, this book reveals the skills and stories behind the profession and some of the primary families – the Hellyers and the Dickersons – back to the 18th century. Originally from Hampshire, the Hellyer family carved figureheads for the Royal Naval yard at Portsmouth, whilst the Dickerson family carved for the Royal Naval yard at Plymouth. Following generations set up carving workshops at many of the London yards, and as ship building moved north, they also set up in Tyneside and Scotland. In all they carved over 350 figureheads for the Royal Navy plus many for merchant yards. The smaller Dickerson family remained in Plymouth carving over 220 figures. Ships’ Figureheads reveals information about these and other carving families, providing a socio-historic account of the times and in so doing an insight into the world they inhabited, with an in-depth practical knowledge of their work. Through exhaustive research the author has discovered many of the trials and tribulations experienced by each family, thus giving a sense of who they were, where they lived and how their work was viewed by society. It includes many heart-rending episodes that each family endured helping to bring to life the period in which they lived.