Fine figurehead on display at the Merseyside Maritime Museum’s Art and the Sea gallery

Liverpool Echo -

The man stands nonchalantly, dressed in the height of fashion for the 1830s – it is difficult to believe he survived a shipwreck when all on board lost their lives.

This is the life-sized wooden figurehead that adorned the 488-ton barque William Turner.

Recovered from wreckage, the figurehead wears a blue tail-coat with two rows of brass buttons. He sports an elegant white cravat and absent-mindedly fingers his waistcoat.

There is exceptional attention to detail – a gold-coloured watch chain and seal hang from his waist. Even his trousers are taped under his immaculate shoes.

On display in Merseyside Maritime Museum’s Art & The Sea gallery, standing figureheads like this were popular in the early 19th century even though they were more expensive and vulnerable than a head and shoulders bust.

The William Turner was built in 1833 by Campbell & Co of Greenock – presumably it depicts William Turner, possibly the owner.

In January 1845 the ship was off the Welsh coast bound for Liverpool after her long journey from Peru. A strong gale blew up off the Smalls Lighthouse on the Pembrokeshire coast, continuing for two days.

The crew struggled valiantly but were unable to weather the storm and the William Turner was fatally driven ashore in Caernarfon Bay.

Other figureheads in the gallery are from the schooner Beatrice (1860) and the steel ship Verajean (1891).

By the end of the 19th century figureheads had virtually disappeared but they still strongly evoke the romance of the sailing ship era.

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