Silent Contemplation

The Esplanade, Watchet Harbour, and the sun is shining. People sit and gaze out at the harbour alongside Yankee Jack and even he seems to smile as he enjoys the good weather. Whilst we enjoy the feel of the sun's rays on our faces the pigeons are simply enjoying the scraps of food at their feet.

The Yankee Jack bronze figure was sculpted by Alan Herriot, as was the Ancient Mariner statue just along the harbourside.

Born in 1839 and a seaman from the age of 14, John Short sailed the world for over 40 years firstly as an able seaman and then as bosun. He had a fine voice and used to sing all the old sea shanties, both aboard ship and on the harbour.

In the 1860s some of his ships ran the blockade in the American Civil War, for which the locals affectionately gave him the nickname 'Yankee Jack'.

He had married Annie Marie Wedlake, the daughter of a Watchet master mariner, and in the 1880's with her health failing John returned home and from then on only took shorter trips to spend more time with her and his family.

In 1902 he became the Watchet Town Crier and later went on to take charge of the local fire brigade.

He had built up a great repertoire of sea shanties and continued to sing on the harbourside and in local concerts, a familiar and much loved local character. He died in 1933, aged 94 years. It seems fitting that this statue of him should forever be seated in a place where he gave so much pleasure to the town.

Information from 'Love Watchet' website

Happy Bench Monday everyone