Can anyone answer this question from Peter Reynolds, who is trying to find out about the original Britannia figurehead and is asking was the Britannia figurehead on QE2 modelled on the original Britannia one?
Hi
I have a painting of Britannia in 1840. The shield appears to be on the right (starboard) of the figure-head.
I think there are chances that the figurehead was damaged in the storm of 1841. (Dickens in 1842 pointed out that the timbers of the paddle boxes were totally sheered off on the way to Boston,- explaining why later images of Britannia looked different than when she was new - probably running repairs lacked the original ornate gilding - which was never replaced) I think it likely therefore that similar damages were done in 1841 before my painting.
However, my painting does look very much like the figurehead on QE 2. Does anybody know if it was modelled on the original? (on an 1842 painting by F.H.Lane - the shield appears on the left (port).
Regards Peter Reynolds
