Stonegate is one of those streets that always has something interesting to look at. Join me for a guided tour of some of it's quirkier sights over the next few days. I thought we might start with this mid to late 17th century figure from the quarter gallery of a ship now attached to a shop. Being situated on the junction of Stonegate with Little Stonegate she was prone to damage in a rather sensitive area by lorries negotiating the tight corner. Restored by the Civic Trust in 1978 she can now rest a little easier as the street is pedestrianised.
Its great that she is no long at risk from being hit by a lorry. In the Royal Navy in the time of sailing men of war the figurehead was usually carved by the ships carpenter and his mates.
ReplyDeleteShe still looks to be keeping an eye for lurking danger!
ReplyDeleteInteresting - how does a ship end up in York?
ReplyDeleteShe is lovely - glad she is now safe!
ReplyDeleteChrissy, the River Ouse was tidal in the Middle Ages and York was a port city with a thriving merchant trade overseas. However a boat could be stranded for a fortnight in the city if a tide was missed at certain times in the year. York had a shipbuilding industry, it had more shipwrights – 69 – than anywhere else in the country in 1294. Hard to imagine today!
ReplyDelete...every picture tells a story. Very true in this case!
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