10. Ships Decorations

The tradition of ship ornamentation has been practiced globally and dates as far back as prehistoric times. Shipwrights were concerned with not only the ships architecture but in aesthetics and wanted their ships to carry an impression of their “terror and majesty”.  

Billetheads were an alternative to the ships bow decoration of Figureheads.  The are usually carved into flowing shapes such as flowers or leaf-like curls.

Trailboards are a pair of boards often gilded and with elaborate carvings, located on either side of the stern, trailing the Figurehead. 

Catheads are a heavy piece of timber projecting from each side of the bow of a ship.  Catheads hold the anchors in position and away from the bow to avoid the anchors damaging the ship. These timbers were often capped off with a carved cat or lion face.

Quarterboards and Sternboards declare the name of a ship on an ornate board mounted to the vessel's side or on the stern. In 1815, maritime law made it a requisite that every ship has its name affixed to its stern.  

Hancing Pieces.  A Hance is a step where the rail on a ships side drops to a lower level.  Because such a step can be unfilled and unsightly, Hancing Pieces were added to round off the design. 

Gun Ports and Entry Ports were generally surrounded with ornate wreaths and scroll work. 

The Quarter Gallery is the back part of the ship where the officers lived. It rose high above the water and was richly decorated with carved busts, scrollwork, coats of arms and ornate lamps. 

Figureheads are generally mounted on the ships bow of larger vessels. Usually these were figures representing the name of the ship, a popular hero, literary character or religious icon. 

This stop has many 18th and 19th century ship decoration artifacts which are examples of fine craftsmanship of those days.  At this stop use the computer to find a name for your Pirate ship by pressing the Refresh Icon.