James Brooker, ship’s carver

James Brooker had a workshop in Eaglesfield Street where he was a master ship’s carver. James had arrived in Maryport around 1840; he was from Liverpool and by 1851 he was married with six children. He worked with his son George and between them they carved the figureheads and stern ornaments for ships in many of the Cumberland ports.
Figureheads are the carved sculptures that decorate the bows of wooden sailing ships. In the past they were often thought of as the soul of a ship, offering good luck and protection from the perilous journeys it made. As such, they were often lovingly cared for by a superstitious crew.
Brooker moved to Sunderland in 1856 where in an advertisement he described himself as Ship and Ornamental Carver and Sculptor in General. He died in Sunderland in 1860. In a tribute to his memory on the Maryport Advertiser Robert Adair wrote of “The celebrated wood carver the beautiful creations of his chisel which once graced all the vessels built here.”