Cutty Sark figurehead storytelling

In this workshop at Cutty Sark, discover the fascinating history behind some of our resident figureheads before inventing your own! Name it, draw it and write a story about who your character is and why they are fit to lead the way across the world’s seas.

For thousands of years, wooden figureheads have adorned the bows of ships, symbolising the spirit of the vessel. Ancient civilisations used characters that they believed provided protection, speed and power. The Egyptians liked holy birds, the Romans favoured wolf or boar heads, while the Vikings preferred dragons and serpents. Later, female figures were popular choices – perhaps because boats are always referred to as ‘she’ – and this was the only kind of woman allowed on board! (Sailors are very superstitious.) A ship’s crew took immense and loving care of their figurehead because they believed that it would keep them and their boat as safe as possible at sea.

This event is recommended for Members aged 8-15 years old, and their adults. 

About the author

Sam Pope is a writer, editor, children's librarian and teacher based in Oxford. She writes fiction and non-fiction for both adults and children, and her debut YA novel, The Haunting of Lindy Pennyworth, was published in October 2021 by UCLan, and recommended as one of Blackwell's YA horror books of 2021. Sam has had her supernatural short stories published and performed widely in the UK, including a maritime-themed tale at the Charles Dickens Museum in London, a short story in a publication called Tales of the Supernatural by Otranto Press, and 'La Tricoteuse', which won best tale in TheatreCloud's touring production of A Tale of Two Cities. She is currently enjoying learning as much as possible about the 1845 Franklin Expedition and is researching the life of Regency-era poet Eleanor Anne Porden, Sir John Franklin's first wife, with the hope of publishing her biography. 

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