Existing comment:
Figurehead of USS Delaware III: Nicknamed by Midshipmen "Tecumseh":
Originally carved to represent Tamanend, Chief of the Delaware Indians, this wooden bust graced the bow of the third ship of the U.S. Navy named for the State of Delaware and launched in 1820. The figurehead was carved by William Luke at the Gosport, late Norfolk, Navy Yard.
In April 1861, at the beginning of the Civil War, USS Delaware was among the ships at the Norfolk Navy Yard set afire and scuttled to prevent their use by the Confederate Navy. When raised after the war, the fig [sic] figurehead was still intact; and it was removed and sent to the Naval Academy.
Tamanend was placed on a brick pedestal in the yard next to the old Chapel. Midshipmen did not know who the Native American was meant to represent so they gave him all sorts of nicknames. Finally, in the 1890s, the name Tecumseh, for the famous Shawnee Indian Chief, stuck, and he had borne this title since.
When the Naval Academy was completely rebuilt in the first decade of the 20th century, Tecumseh was moved to a new pedestal in front of Bancroft Hall. For preservation of the original wooden figure, the Class of 1891 funded the bronze casting which in 1930 replaced it on the outdoor pedestal.
The bronze replica is given coats of war paint prior to important athletic contests or other major events held in the Yard. Known also as the "god of 2.0," as passing academic grade, midshipmen toss coins at it for good luck on examinations. To preserve the mystique in the replacement figure, sections representing the wooden brains and wooden heart of the original were removed in 1930 and placed into the bronze bust. |