View of gravestone of John Inglis, 1799, intricate carving of a topsail gaff cutter ship. Digital image of AN 6629.

Description View of gravestone of John Inglis, 1799, intricate carving of a topsail gaff cutter ship. Digital image of AN 6629.

Date c. 1990

Collection Papers of Betty Willsher, historian, St Andrews, Scotland

Catalogue Number SC 795233

Category On-line Digital Images

Copy of AN 6629

Scope and Content Gravestone of Margaret King, Inchbraoch Churchyard, Braoch Road, Inchbraoch, Angus This shows the top of the gravestone with its carving of a topsail gaff cutter ship sailing on a rolling sea. The waves behind the boat have been carefully carved to give the illusion of movement, and small technical details are carefully incised, including the ropes which tie up the sail when not in use, and the rope ladder up the mast. 18th-and-19th century sailor's gravestones and those of their relatives frequently display accurate depictions of the ships they sailed upon, emblems of compasses and anchors (also used as an emblem of Hope). The style of the carvings can be compared to those found on scrimshaw (incised whalebone) of the same period. This gravestone commemorates Margaret King, who died in 1789. It is inscribed: 'ERECTED BY/JOHN INGLIS SHIPMASTER IN/MONTROSE in memory of his/spouse MARGARET KING who/departed this Life September 1789/aged 68 years. They were Marr/ied on the 20th day of September/1754...' The inclusion of the date of a marriage is very rare on gravestones. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/795233

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap