Historic Inspiration

This project was inspired by something I saw on a trip to Boston a few years ago to visit my daughter at grad school. My wife and I toured Old Ironsides, The USS Constitution at the Charlestown Navy Yard. A beautiful, rugged old sea chest sitting on the gun deck caught my woodworker’s eye. I knew right away I wanted to do my own take on it.

The project inspiration on board the USS Constitution

This chest would involve some woodworking skills that would challenge my abilities and stretch the envelope of my skill set (one of the main reasons I select any project). Of course, I knew carving would be a featured focus of this work, and only a nautical subject would do.

I took some design liberties with my version while trying to stay true to the spirit of the original. The Old Ironsides chest sat on a warship, but I decided a whaling theme would work (specifically, a sperm whale). This chest is not an exact copy, but rather an homage.

Please peruse the following images and leave a comment if you like.