The 'Rising Sun' Sails Again
Following meticulous research and expert craftsmanship, the Scottish Fisheries Museum is proud to unveil a replica of the former “shipstone” of the Anstruther Whale Fishing Company and a ‘Rare Survivor’ from a little-known period of Scottish maritime history.
The original stone (now on show within the Museum complex) was erected to mark the founding of the Company in 1757 and is thought to depict its first ship, the ‘Rising Sun’, one of two that ventured to the Greenland whaling grounds from the town at that time. In its place, the replica has been inserted into the gable of the former Company building alongside the vennel which, to this day, bears the name “Whale Close”.
The replica has been carved by artisans at Graciela Ainsworth Sculpture Conservation and is based on painstaking research. The extreme weathering of the original stone, subject to wind, rain and salt spray over 250 years, means that much of the bas relief of the ship has been lost. With natural flaws in the stone having been enhanced by erosion it leaves even the more prominent features indistinct and difficult to interpret.With the help of historical depictions, models, and scans of the stone itself, the late Dr Robert Prescott (maritime historian at the University of St Andrews and longstanding Museum Trustee), and archaeologist Steve Liscoe were able to approximate the shape, rigging, and position of the vessel.
This has been translated to a new work that captures the spirit and meaning of the original and clearly identifies the historical significance of the building on Anstruther’s harbour front.
The original stone, having been cleaned and stabilised, can now be seen inside the building, housed in the appropriately themed ‘Whaling Gallery’ where the story of the Company and the industry it helped to shape, is told.
