Shipcarver - A brief history

Shipcarvers are a major part of the Maritime tradition. Shipcarver is a term used during the 17th century and well into the 19th century, to describe a master craftsman and sculptor of wood. He worked in the shipbuilding industry as a shipwright. He also received commissions from ship owners to produce figurehead and other wood embellishments, including the captain's furniture.

Figureheads of this period generally followed English animal prototypes. By the 1700's, human figures symbolizing the vessel's name became popular. Throughout most of the 19th century, wooden sailing ships were constructed in burgeoning seaboard cities from Maine to South Carolina, and were decorated with elaborate sternboards and anchorboards and other embellishments. Figureheads were installed under the bowspirit and often possessed a symbolic meaning that inspired a fanatical loyalty in the superstitious crew, most of whom could not swim.

The object of a Shipcarver was to create a three dimensional canvas in wood, using drawknives, chisels, slicks and other ancient woodcarving tools. Once completed they would paint the sculpture to achieve a recognizable likeness. Unemployment occasionally caused Shipcarvers to turn elsewhere for a living. They created three dimensional signs and Cigar store sailors and Indians. 19th Century Sailor Trade Figurines were also used as trade signs by Ship Chandlers and Seafood Restaurants.

Shipcarvers also provided the classic Carousel Animals for that industry. By the close of the 19th century, the use of iron and steel as a shipbuilding material made the installation of figureheads difficult. In 1907 figureheads were ordered removed from all US Navy ships, thus dealing a deadly blow to the 200 year old Maritime tradition of this fine art form.

Here is the life sized statue of Jesus on the cross. This picture was taken before the statue was completed.

Here is a closeup of the completed statue