Bowsprit Collection

Maria Asumpta, Charlestown, Cornwall. August 1991
The tall ship Maria Asumpta enters Charlestown harbour. The oldest sailing ship in the world still sailing at that time, was invited to the port by the Charlestown Heritage and Trading Company

The War in Denmark: the Austro-Prussian Squadron at Cuxhaven after its defeat off Heligoland, 1864. Creator: Smyth
The War in Denmark: the Austro-Prussian Squadron at Cuxhaven after its defeat off Heligoland, 1864. '...a view of the Austro-Prussian squadron lying off Cuxhaven, at the mouth of the Elbe

A jib boom, 1850
3330563 A jib boom, 1850; (add.info.: Engraving of a jib boom, a spar run out forward as an extension of the bowsprit. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Our Iron-Clad Fleet: H.M. Steam-Frigate Achilles off Folly Point, Chatham, 1864. Creator: Unknown
Our Iron-Clad Fleet: H.M. Steam-Frigate Achilles off Folly Point, Chatham, 1864. Our Engraving gives a view of that fine warship the Achilles

Arrival at the military port, Naples, of the "Emperor" and the "Melazzzo" with British volunteers for Garibaldi on board - from a sketch by our special artist, Frank Vizetelly

Shamrock, between 1890 and 1900. Creator: Johns Johnston
Shamrock, between 1890 and 1900. Note crewman on bowsprit

Minta, 1896 Aug 1. Creator: Johns Johnston
Minta, 1896 Aug 1. Note crewman with weights on bowsprit

Barque in Full Sail Dropping Her Tug, Henry Scott Tuke (1858-1929)
Oil on mahogany panel, Newlyn School, probably 1888. A three masted barque in full sail dropping her tug, off Falmouth. Henry Scott Tuke was born into a Quaker family in Lawrence Street, York

Figurehead on a historic windjammer in the port of Zingst, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Baltic Sea, Northern Germany, Germany

Victorian London - Docks and The Concordia
Vintage engraving showing a scene from 19th Century Victorian London England. Showing London Docks and the ship Concordia

Sprites on the Bowsprit (colour litho)
2796492 Sprites on the Bowsprit (colour litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sprites on the Bowsprit. Illustration for Chatterbox, 1897.); © Look and Learn

The Brig Jack (pencil & w / c on paper)
1214455 The Brig Jack (pencil & w/c on paper) by Carmichael, John Wilson (1800-68); 32.7x26.7 cm; Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK; eTyne & Wear Archives & Museums; English, out of copyright

Avon Gorge and Bristol Hotwell, 1791-92 (w / c over pencil on paper)
2831230 Avon Gorge and Bristol Hotwell, 1791-92 (w/c over pencil on paper) by Turner, Joseph Mallord William (1775-1851); Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, UK; eBristol Museums

Le greement - the rigging of a ship (engraving)
5997559 Le greement - the rigging of a ship (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Le greement - the rigging of a ship)

The Dorothy (pencil & w / c on paper)
1214454 The Dorothy (pencil & w/c on paper) by Carmichael, John Wilson (1800-68); 45.7x32.8 cm; Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK; eTyne & Wear Archives & Museums; English, out of copyright

Study of a Fishing Boat, 1879 (bodycolour on paper)
1214188 Study of a Fishing Boat, 1879 (bodycolour on paper) by Hemy, Charles Napier (1841-1917); 35.2x49.3 cm; Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK; eTyne & Wear Archives & Museums; English

Collision of Mail Steam-Boats between Dover and Ostend (engraving)
1626413 Collision of Mail Steam-Boats between Dover and Ostend (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Collision of Mail Steam-Boats between Dover and Ostend)

The Port of Nice, Winter 1881--82 (oil on canvas)
1069470 The Port of Nice, Winter 1881A--82 (oil on canvas) by Morisot, Berthe (1841-95); 38.1x46.4 cm; Dallas Museum of Art, Texas, USA; The Wendy and Emery Reves Collection; French, out of copyright

A New-York River-Front, 1874. Creator: William James Palmer
A New-York River-Front, 1874. Sailing ships on the quay in New York Harbour, New York, USA....a quaint and picturesque scene, lying but a short distance from the Battery on the East-River side

Clementinas Bow showing collision damage and loss of bowsprit, 1913

The gaff rigged yacht Nautilus, 1912. Creator: Kirk & Sons of Cowes
The gaff rigged yacht Nautilus, 1912

AF Chapman sailing ship (youth hostel), Stockholm, Sweden. Gamla Stan, the old town of Stockholm, can be seen in the background

A Town Gate Leerdam City Gate Leerdam city gate
A Town Gate in Leerdam City Gate in Leerdam, A city gate (the Steigerpoort) in Leerdam. A man and two women are walking in the street, a few chickens roam around a lake

Ceramic panel depicting the Mail of Mallorca, xebec type ship, 18th century. Barcelona Maritime Museum. Spain

Dockland Scene
Scene near saint Katherines Dock - the bowsprit of a sailing vessel overarches the street. Date: 1892

Vessel and sailing ships on calm water, print maker: Reinier Nooms, Dancker Danckerts, 1654 - 1658

Captain Robert Faulknor (1763-1795), English naval officer, killed while endeavouring to lash the bowsprit of French frigate Pique to capstan of his vessel Blanche, off Guadeloupe

Section of a First Rate Ship of War. C017 / 3432
Plate from 18th century encyclopedia showing a stem to stern section of a first rate ship of the line. A ship of the line was a type of naval warship constructed from the 17th through to the mid-19th

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"Bowsprit: A Nautical Marvel Frozen in Time" In the picturesque town of Charlestown, Cornwall, August 1991, the Maria Asumpta stood tall and proud. This magnificent barque, captured beautifully by Henry Scott Tuke in his painting "Barque in Full Sail Dropping Her Tug, " showcased the sheer power and grace of a ship under sail. As I gazed upon the Maria Asumpta's bowsprit, jutting out into the vast expanse of sea before her, I couldn't help but marvel at its significance. The bowsprit served as an extension of the ship's hull, providing stability and support to navigate through treacherous waters. The figurehead adorning this historic windjammer in Zingst port, Germany reminded me of the rich maritime history that surrounded these vessels. It was a testament to human craftsmanship and ingenuity - a symbol of protection against turbulent seas. Delving further into Victorian London's bustling docks with "Victorian London - Docks and The Concordia, " I imagined how busy life must have been for those involved in maritime trade. The sprightly sprites on the bowsprit depicted in "Sprites on the Bowsprit" added an element of whimsy amidst all that industry. Sketches like "The Brig Jack" and "The Dorothy" transported me back to simpler times when pencil strokes brought ships to life on paper. These delicate watercolor paintings captured every intricate detail from rigging to sails fluttering gracefully against a clear blue sky. One cannot discuss bowsprits without acknowledging their role in navigation. In Avon Gorge overlooking Bristol Hotwell during 1791-92, artists meticulously documented this vital part of a ship's rigging system through watercolor over pencil sketches. Their work immortalized not only grand landscapes but also practical aspects crucial for seafaring journeys. Le greement engraving provided insight into how sailors expertly maneuvered these complex systems.