Veteran local artist donates drawings of historic Maldon-built Naval vessel to Maeldune Heritage Centre
By Ben Shahrabi 20th Jun 2023
Local artist William "Bill" Geller, founder of Maldon Art Club, has donated two drawings of a historic Naval vessel to the Maeldune Heritage Centre.
Mr Geller's drawings of the HMS Jersey, a 50-gun Frigate built in Maldon and once briefly captained by Samuel Pepys, are on display at the Centre at the top of Market Hill, Maldon.
Manager Lynda O'Brien told Nub News: "We are delighted to be custodians of these drawings, as Bill has donated them to the town.
"We are so pleased to have them here and to keep their story alive."
Jersey was built in Maldon by Town Bailiff Mr Starling and launched in 1654. She was commissioned and paid for by the Commonwealth Admiralty.
The oak used to build the vessel came from the Plantation in Mundon. She was transported to the yard by the Blackwater and the tidal creek near the Plantation.
Jersey weighed 560 tons, with a crew of 200. In 1669, famous diarist Samuel Pepys was temporarily named captain of the ship as a legal manoeuvre to make him eligible to sit on a court martial.
She saw service for 30 years before being captured by the French Navy and was finally destroyed by the Royal Navy.
Sailing and drawing marine subjects has been an abiding interest in Mr Geller's life as a working artist. His first picture sale was at the Royal Society of Marine Artists (RSMA) show in 1956.
In March this year, Mr Geller received the Town Mayor's Special Recognition Award for his "outstanding creative contributions to the town".
Along with founding Maldon Art Club, which has taught and encouraged budding artists for decades, he has also worked as a tour guide at the Moot Hall for many years.
Visitors can view Mr Geller's drawings whenever the Maeldune Heritage Centre is open, from Tuesday to Saturday, 11am until 4pm.
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