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OCEAN VIEW figureheads
ocean view
F
FIGUREHEADS
The history of the most famous seafaring faces
igureheads were probably theearlyandmid-nineteenthcentury,
introduced by the Phoenicians butsadlytheydisappearedfromthe
when they started the fashion bows of vessels around the end of
of decorating the prows of their that century as ship design became
galleys with animals or birds carved more functional than beautiful as
out of wood. There are all sorts of more and more goods were
theoriesastohowtheycameabout, transportedworldwide. ButThomas
or what the true purpose was. It is Olsen saw an ideal opportunity to
thought that the Egyptians and bringbackforthefirsttimealittleof
Chinese painted eyes on their ships thebeautyofthedaysofsail. In1936
so that they could see more easily the new Mediterranean Line vessel
andfindtheirwayacrosstheoceans. ‘Bayard’,Fred.Olsen&Co.’sfifthship
Catholic countries used religious ofthatname,wasfittedwithafigure-
figures in the hope it would give head in bronze. It was an
them supremacy in battle. The effigy of the French knight Bayard,
Vikingsalsousedintimidatingfigures carryinghisbanneremblazonedwith
such as fierce animal heads or his motto “Sans Peur and Sans
dragons, and as they have been Reproche” (Without Fear or
credited with being the first Reproach). Thefigurehead,sculpted
navigators to explore North by Emil Lie, was lost when the ship
American waters, these may have wentdownin1942.
beenthefirstfigureheadstobeseen Since then, practically every new
in the New World. (The first vessellaunchedforFred.Olsen&Co.
European to probably see North has had a figurehead or bow
America was Norseman Leif Ericsen decoration. Todate,therehavebeen
– featured on the cover of the over 60 figureheads sculpted for
2010/2011 Worldwide Cruises ships in the Fred. Olsen & Co. fleet,
brochure.) and Black Prince has been the only
Figureheadswereafamiliarsighton passenger ship in the fleet in
the tall and graceful clipper ships of recentyearstohaveafigureheadon
itsbows.
READER’S OFFER:
As many as possible have been
recoveredfromFred.Olsenshipsand
Abeautifullyillustratedbook,TheFred.Olsen&CoFigureheads, arepreservedinprivatehandsoron
isnowavailableintheshopsonboardallourships,priced£35.00
publicdisplay. Severalaredisplayed
acopy. Foryourchancetowinacopysimplysendusanemail
at Hvitsten on Oslofjord; one is on
with your postal address and the first name pulled out of the
thecompany’sheadquartersbuilding
Editor’s hat will receive a copy in the post. The draw will take
placeafterthewinterissueofOceanViewispublishedtogiveall
inOslo; othersareintheUKandthe
ourreadersachance.
Canary Islands; and some are used
ornamentallyontheshipsinthefleet
ofFred.OlsenCruiseLines.
PAGE66 AUTUMN2009
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