HMS Trincomalee’s figurehead moved from National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool for £55,000 restoration project

Museum chiefs in Hartlepool have bid a fond farewell to piece of history which is to be restored to its former glory by experts.
By Mark Payne
Published 17th Feb 2020, 17:13 BST
Updated 18th Feb 2020, 11:09 BST
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HMS Trincomalee’s turban-wearing figurehead dating back to 1845 has been taken out of storage at the town’s National Museum of the Royal Navy for a makeover.

It has been made possible after £55,000 was raised by supporters including £30,000 by national charity Art Fund, and £25,000 from the Friends of HMS Trincomalee.

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The figurehead will be restored and preserved for years to come by craftsmen in Greenwich in London.

The 5ft figurehead from HMS Trincomalee at the Museum of the Royal Navy, Hartlepool, which has been taken to specialist naval conservators in Greenwich.The 5ft figurehead from HMS Trincomalee at the Museum of the Royal Navy, Hartlepool, which has been taken to specialist naval conservators in Greenwich.
The 5ft figurehead from HMS Trincomalee at the Museum of the Royal Navy, Hartlepool, which has been taken to specialist naval conservators in Greenwich.

It was carefully loaded onto a van by Orbis Conservation on Monday, February 17, and the work is expected to take more than two months.

Clare Hunt, curator at the museum said: “It has been in storage in our workshop for about 20 years so it’s a relief to get him off and down to London to be properly conserved.

“His turban is very crooked and he’s had a new nose at one point, and not a very good nose.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what happens with him.”

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Maxwell Malden (left) and Phil Collins both of Orbis Conservation, move the figurehead from HMS Trincomalee at the Museum of the Royal Navy, Hartlepool, on to a van prior to restoration in Greenwich.Maxwell Malden (left) and Phil Collins both of Orbis Conservation, move the figurehead from HMS Trincomalee at the Museum of the Royal Navy, Hartlepool, on to a van prior to restoration in Greenwich.
Maxwell Malden (left) and Phil Collins both of Orbis Conservation, move the figurehead from HMS Trincomalee at the Museum of the Royal Navy, Hartlepool, on to a van prior to restoration in Greenwich.

Restoration work will include analysing the figurehead’s wood and paint, replacement and re-carving of decayed timber, preservation of original carved detail, removal of paint, reinstatement of colours and further work.

On its return, the figurehead will go on display to the public in the HMS Trincomalee Exhibition within the museum.

Clare added: “It will be at the back of the stairwell which is a really nice place because it overlooks the ship so is a perfect spot for him.

“The last part of the conservation is the painting, which will be done on site here for people to see.”

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The 5ft figurehead from HMS Trincomalee at the Museum of the Royal Navy, Hartlepool, being moved to specialist naval conservators in Greenwich, on Monday morning.The 5ft figurehead from HMS Trincomalee at the Museum of the Royal Navy, Hartlepool, being moved to specialist naval conservators in Greenwich, on Monday morning.
The 5ft figurehead from HMS Trincomalee at the Museum of the Royal Navy, Hartlepool, being moved to specialist naval conservators in Greenwich, on Monday morning.

HMS Trincomalee was built in India for the Royal Navy in 1817. The figurehead was carved by Hellyer & Son, the best-known carver of the Portsmouth Dockyard.

Maxwell Malden of Orbis Conservation said: “I feel really honoured to be pat of the project.

“It’s another great opportunity for us to get involved with naval history.

“Figureheads have high cultural heritage value and it’s really important they are conserved.”

Related topics:HMS TrincomaleeMuseumHartlepoolNational Museum of the Royal Navy