Figurehead of the HMS Benbow

Description: The figurehead is of the bust of Vice Admiral John Benbow, the commander-in-chief of the West Indies during the War of Spanish Succession, who died of wounds sustained in a battle with a French squadron in 1702. He wears a brown curly wig and white cravat as shown in contemporary portraits. The figure wears armour and the lower part is draped in red cloth.
Maker: Unknown
Date made: Unknown
Place made: Unknown
Size
Materials: Wood
Object history: The armour on the figurehead was originally painted black and then in the 1950’s it was painted metallic silver and at some point was returned its original colour.
Vessel history: The ship, a 3rd rate, 72 gun vessel, was built at John Brent of Rotherhithe’s private yard and was launched from the same location in 1813. HMS 'Benbow' took part in the Syria Campaign in 1840 as part of an Anglo-Austrian-Turkish fleet. In 1848 the ship became a marine barrack vessel, then later in 1854 accommodation for Russian war prisoners and finally in 1859 a coal hulk at Sheerness. She was broken up by Castles of Woolwich in 1895.
Bibliography: David Pulvertaft ‘The Warship Figureheads of Portsmouth’ (Stroud, 2009) p.36
Admiralty Catalogue(1911) No 184

Owner type: Public Institution
Owner name: National Museum of the Royal Navy
Contact details: National Museum of the Royal Navy, HM Naval Base (PP66), Portsmouth PO1 3NH
Ownership can be cited online: Yes
Accessible to public: Yes
Data verified by owner: No
Date verified

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