Statues - Hither & Thither

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Patagonia Walk, Maritime Quarter
(Fitzroy House)

Baron Spolasco

real name probably John Smith or John Williams
Manchester or Gateshead c. 1806? - New York 1858
Quack doctor who lived in Swansea, 1838-1845

Jonah Jones & Meic Watts
c. 1985/90

Description

26 bathstone panels with reliefs and texts, on both sides of a tunnel walkway. The central stone on the eastside portrays the 'Baron', with inscription baron spolasco. He looks out over certain events of his life, along with texts drawn from his poem published in Swansea in 1840, a relief of the shipwreck of the Killarney and maps of some of the countries and places in which he resided.

Baron Spolasco and the Wreck of the Killarney

by Caroline Rance on April 1st, 2010

On 19 January 1838, the steamer Killarney set sail from Cork, bound for Bristol. On board were 37 people and 600 pigs, and ahead of them was the most violent storm in more than half a century. The steamer was forced to turn back, and anchored at Cove for a few hours, until the Captain made the ill-fated decision to continue. By the following evening, 21 survivors were clinging to a rock, fast losing hope of rescue.
One of these survivors was Baron Spolasco (above), a flamboyant character who had been fraudulently practising as a physician and surgeon in different parts of Ireland. Though he looks rather exotic, he was probably born in the north of England in about 1800, and his real name appears in different sources as John Williams, John Smith, or the slightly more impressive John William Adolphus Frederick Augustus Smith.

(From The Quackdoctor).

Inscription(s)

Westside

I pledge unto spolasco's name	[Masonic square and compasses]	be mindful of spolasco's skill
A name in which we glory	BARON SPOLASCO	ye patrons of his merit
his splendid cures and healing fame	BARON SPOLASCO	save him from all impending ill.

(click on de photo for an enlargement in a separate window.)

Eastside


			swansea has proved this happy day
		SHE patronizes merit		native or stranger far away
	SHE will uphold with SPIRIT		then brave boys with swansae honors.		all hail!, spolasco's merit.
spolasco sydd a hawl.		and in return, his grateful donors.		he'll ever serve with spirit.		Am wella briwiau'r bobloedd
	Rhagoriaeth fawr a'i rhoddodd	TUNE "THE ADMIRAL."			I dderbyn celfyddydawl fawl
WALES 1838-45		TUNE "THE ADMIRAL."				IRELAND 183?-38
		THE KILLARNEY Jan 19^th 1838
			NEW YORK 184?-58

(click on de photo for an enlargement in a separate window.)

Annotation

The Spolasco Reliefs, Carvings, and Plaques are designed by Robin Campbell and Richard Porch, the sculptors were Jonah Jones, Meic Watts, and Brian Denman.

Sculptors

Jonah Jones, born Leonard Jones (Wardley, Tyne and Wear 1919 - 2004), Welsh sculptor (Wikipedia).
Meic Watts, Welsh sculptor.

Sources & Information

Wikipedia, List of public art in Swansea.
Public Monuments and Sculpture Association, National Recording Project Database.
University College for the Creative Arts, VADS (Visual Arts Data Service).

Locatie (N 51°36'53" - W 3°56'18") (Satellite view: Google Maps)

Item Code: gbwa048; Photograph: 25 July 2012
Of each statue we made photos from various angles and also detail photos of the various texts.
If you want to use photos, please contact us via the contact form (in Dutch, English or German).
© Website and photos: René & Peter van der Krogt

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