Figureheads of the Royal Navy

book summary

The first figureheads designed to represent the names of British warships appeared during the reign of Henry VIII; the last ones were carved in the early years of the twentieth century. During the intervening 350 years it is estimated that some 5000 ships of the Royal Navy carried a figurehead of some description. This book follows the development of these diverse sculptures, examining how the figurehead carvers interpreted the names and the symbolism incorporated in their designs. Evidence is drawn from a wide range of sources: contemporary ship models, ship plans, designs submitted for approval by the Navy Board and, of course, from those figueheads that have survived.
Lavishly illustrated with much previously unpublished material, the book explores the wide range of subjects that were represented on the bows of Their Majesties' Ships and recounts many of their background histories.
The narrative is complemented by a comprehensive directory that lists every surviving Royal Navy figurehead, each carver's design drawing with its source, as well as those ship plans and contemporary models that show the figurehead in detail. This combination makes the book invaluable to a wide range of historians and researchers, but also provides fascinating reading for anyone with an interest in Britain's maritime past.
CONTENTS:
Ship Names and the Figurehead Carver's Task
Figurehead Carvers
Figurehead and Associated Collections
16th. and 17th. Century Figureheads
18th Century Figureheads
19th Century Figureheads - Beasts
19th Century Figureheads - Birds
19th Century Figureheads - Famous People
19the Century Figureheads - Geographic
19th Century Figureheads - Miscellaneous
19th Century Figureheads - From Mythology
19th Century Figureheads - Occupations
19the Century Figureheads - Prize and Commemorative Names
19th Century Figureheads - Qualities
19th Century Figureheads - Royalty
Bow Decorations and 20th Century Figureheads
Conclusions
Figurehead Directory:
- Bibliography and Sources