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 original Shipstone
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.
Whaling ships at this time were generally vessels that used existing, established hull forms or were existing vessels bought and refitted for the whale fishery. The records pertaining to the ‘Rising Sun’ indicate that she was such an existing vessel bought from trade for conversion so must have been some years old and have had a former life, most likely as a merchant vessel. At this time of the expansion of the Scottish whaling fleet this was a common solution and generally the ships of choice were east coast collier barques due to their strong construction and cargo capacity.
Both the surviving details on the stone and the painted evidence indicate that the vessel was three masted and square rigged. This has been replicated with reference to contemporary depictions of similar vessels. The design of the flags is based on the rules governing the correct use of flags and jacks by merchant vessels in the mid-18th century and the emblems of the owners.
Find out more about the contemporary 18th century sources used to re-create the ‘Rising Sun’ in this article by Steve Liscoe: SFM Shipstane Design Notes
Discover the rationale behind the design of the flags: The Rising Sun flags