The Figurehead

If you've sailed into Rosario Resort, you've no doubt seen the original figurehead from the clipper ship "AMERICA." Since 1916, she has been keeping a watchful eye on Cascade Bay.

Inscription on the Figurehead Plaque:This figurehead is from the clipper ship "America." She was built in 1874 at Quincy, Massachusetts by Deacon George Thomas. Her original owners wereThayer & Co. of Boston. In 1887 she was put in the Pacific coasting trade and was wrecked on San Juan Island in the year 1914. The "America" has some notable voyages to her credit. Namely, from New York to San Francisco in 89 days and from San Francisco to Liverpool in 102 days. Captain J.S. Gibson, at one time her commander, records that this figurehead was a source of much pride to him, that it had many times in many ports been remarked upon as being one of the mostartistic figureheads that ever graced the bow of a ship and there is probably no other on an American vessel that has been mentioned so many times in public print. It is carved from a solid white pine log. This is erected by me to commemorate a beautiful sentiment in ship building now becoming a lost art. Figure donated by Captain James Griffiths.
– Rosario 1916, Robert Moran

Here are two rare photographs showing the figurehead still mounted to the "AMERICA." They were sent to me by figurehead historian Richard Hunter from Sheffield, SouthYorkshore, England.






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