Tamanend (sculpture)

Tamanend was honored as the figurehead of USS Delaware (1820) in a carving by William Luke. Delaware was burned in 1861 at the Gosport Navy Yard to prevent Confederate capture at the start of the Civil War. In 1868, the saved figurehead, officially titled Tamanend, Chief of Delaware Indians, was transferred to the United States Naval Academy. It was placed on a pedestal outdoors, and simply labeled as "the figurehead of the Delaware". In 1906, the figure was repaired with "cement, putty and paint". It was later replaced with a bronze depiction in 1930 presented by the class of 1891. The bronze was cast at the U.S. Naval Gun Factory in 1929–30.

Tamanend, a pacifist and friend to William Penn, did not inspire the midshipmen of the Academy. They eventually took to calling the figurehead Tecumseh, after the Shawnee warrior chief and ally of the British, who was killed in the Battle of the Thames during the War of 1812.

Description


Luke's original wooden carving was refurbished again in 1970, and now can be found in the Academy's visitor center. In 1930, it's "heart" and "brains" had been placed inside the class gift to provide a continuity of presence.

The statue is positioned on a base of Vermont marble immediately in front of Bancroft Hall, and measures 96 x. The area between the figurehead and Bancroft Hall is called Tecumseh Court.

Inscriptions
On the front base of the statue:

On the statue's bronze base, to the rear:

Traditions
Tecumseh (the name having become accepted) is now referred to as the "God of 2.0", the passing grade point average at the academy. Midshipmen toss pennies at the monument for good luck in their examinations and Army-Navy competitions.

It is a long standing 9th company tradition for Tecumseh to be painted before every major event and home game (e.g for Parents' Weekend in August, Homecoming in the fall, before Army-Navy contests, and for Commissioning Week in May.)