Figurehead Past Collection
Figureheads have adorned the bows of ships from the earliest times.
In 1929 there were numerous sailing ships in New Zealand ports, quietly rotting away and the idea of gathering together a collection of figureheads was conceived by the Naval Officer in Charge, Auckland, Commander Nelson Clover. The figureheads were mounted outside in the naval base where while popular, the elements took their toll on them and their preservation became a burden on the Navy. Without the manpower for their upkeep the survivors were stored for some years before most were passed to Auckland Museum, the Navy retaining two.
Image of the figurehead in front of the HMS PHILOMEL Chapel.
Moa Figurehead. ( 26.1KB jpg )
Figurehead restoration work, 1948. ( 42.3KB jpg )
Joseph Craig Figurehead. ( 20KB jpg )
Eliza Firth Figurehead. ( 14KB jpg )
Hazel Craig figurehead. ( 17KB jpg )
HMS ECLIPSE Figurehead. ( 18KB jpg )