Harry Piers: Museum Maker

Notes from Piers Accession Book:

Photograph of so-called "figure-head" (but actually a carving on some other part) of the Barque "Saladin," on which took place the celebrated case of piracy and murder for which Anderson,       were hanged at Halifax on 30 July 1844. The vessel had gone ashore at Saladin Pt., Harbour Island, off Country Harbour, Guysborough County. Mr. MacGregor, no doubt Andrew MacGregor, clerk, who in 1864 lived at 44 Brunswick Street (near Cornwallis Street) (father of late Mrs. John [W]ilson and of Mrs. Harding) obtained it, Mrs. Harding says, in 1862, but she does not say who from. From Mr. McGregor it went to his daughter, the present Mrs. Harding of Canning or Cornwallis, Nova Scotia. In October, 1927 it was [gift] by E.J. Vickery of Halifax, for Dalhousie College Museum, as a donation from Mrs. Harding it [being] [] forgotten that it had been spoken for the Museum, a number of years ago, should the family ever be willing to part with it.

Description: Greatest height, 12.50 inches; greatest width, 8.30 inches; width across forehead, below headdress, 6.50 inches. Nose restored by H. Piers (had been broken off). There are a couple or so of pistol-bullet holes in it, but these were fired into it in recent years by young sons of Dr. [W]ilson. (2 or 3 pistol-bullet holes in cheeks and neck). Back smooth, and it is perfectly evident that it had never had a back to the head, and therefore had never been part of a "figure." Screw-hole in centre of back. It, with a companion one which faced in another direction, had evidently been attached to the [back] of the [sloop], possibly the deck-house, or the quarter of the vessel, with [portions] of carved rope about them, as was sometimes a form of added nautical ornament in old vessels. It will be noted that the face inclines towards one side.

View complete entry from the Harry Piers Accession Book

Date Accessioned: 23 January 1928

Photographer: Gauvin and Gentzel

Reference: Harry Piers number 6158  Nova Scotia Archives Photograph Collection Transportation & Communication: Ships and Shipping