reknowned shipcarver

(January 11, 1808 – January 11, 1903)

Descended from a family of shipbuilders, Allen Drew became renowned as a shipcarver and master woodcarver for public buildings and homes.

Early in his career Drew created ornamental decorations for the Executive Council Chamber and the House and Senate chambers in the Maine State House in Augusta.

Throughout his life he created bow and stern carvings for ships all along the coast.

Allen Drew working away on one of his figureheads was an early part of the mural.

artist, Chris Cart

Neptune

Drew’s son recalls a large figurehead of Neptune his father had carved for the barque TRIDENT built in Gardiner, Maine.

Mr. Drew was a well-known and respected citizen of Hallowell during years of an active business life. In the old shipbuilding days, he was a carver by trade, and he carried on a most lucrative business in hand manufacture of figureheads and other ornamental designs for ships. His work was often of the most elaborate nature and
commanded a high price.

from The Kennebec Journal upon Drew’s death.

Indian Chief Sabattus

On November 15, 1842, the Portland Weekly Advertiser praised his stern board for the ship Sabattis, which was being launched at Pittston:
“The stern board is neat and tasteful in design and appropriate; it was executed by Allen Drew of Hallowell and shows conclusively that we have no occasion to go from home in search of workmen of superior skill in the branch of naval
architecture. It represents an Indian chief Sabattis leaning on his bow; at the left is a deer, emblematic of the Indian chase; at his right is seen a ship in full sail, representing Commerce.”

60 years of carving

Allen Drew had a career that spanned the decades from the late 1820’s into the 1880’s where he is still listed on the census as a carver.

In spite of his fabulous career as a carver and his reputation for beautiful work, unfortunately, there are no known carvings identifiable today.

Hopefully, we will someday discover some of his pieces.

Information from an article by Maine State Historian, Earl Shettleworth of Hallowell, in the Kennebec Current here.