COASTAL HISTORY
Watchet's Pierhead Painter WORDS by Maurice Chidgey PAINTINGS by Thomas Chidgey, photographed by Andrew Hobbs
B
orn at Watchet in 1845, Captain Thomas Chidgey was one of a family long established in the coasting trade and went to sea at an early age, going on to become a master mariner. From boyhood he was gifted at drawing and sketching, recording with pencil or crayons the various ships that entered Watchet harbour. He went on to develop this ability into painting, and his greatest joy was to paint a ship at sea in full sail. Being completely self-taught, Thomas excelled at this and the more he painted the better the result. From time to time he included himself anonymously in some of his paintings. A former generation of Watchet folk have spoken of seeing him painting at his easel on a small piece of land at the bottom of Severn Terrace where he lived in his later years. His output was prolific and practically all of the ships of Watchet, as well as
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others, were portrayed on his canvasses. Thomas’ artistic ability to capture the various moods of the sea – his portrayal of waves being particularly outstanding – and to illustrate all the intricate and delicate rigging details and sail structure of the various different vessels was much admired by sea captains. They, as well as many members of their crews, all greatly admired his work and endeavoured to obtain a painting of their own particular ship to display above the fireplace at home, which is why some ships were painted more than once. Visiting sea captains, also hearing of his skill, would commission a painting of their vessels whilst in port unloading and reloading their cargoes, and Thomas’ paintings would be taken all around the coasts of the British Isles and further afield. He painted so many because he enjoyed it and took pride in his skill, but probably was never paid large
commissions, though now his sailing ship paintings are much sought after. Thomas Chidgey died in 1926, leaving behind a rich heritage in the form of a colourful record of coastal schooners, ketches, brigs and smacks in the last days of sail. He is now recognised as one of the foremost pierhead painters of his time, his marine paintings now being held in high regard. A number of them can be seen at Watchet Market House Museum. Market House Museum, Market St, Watchet TA23 0AN. www.watchetmuseum.co.uk.