'Fitting tribute' needs funds
About the article
This is a digitised version of an article from The Cayman Compass's print archive. Occasionally, the digitisation process introduces transcription errors, or other problems.
See the article in its original context from September 2002.
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The crafting of the bronze, already underway, is seen by the foundation as a "fitting tribute to the Caymanians who lived and lost their lives at sea and a great cultural centrepiece for ... town.
The memorial statue project, which will cost around CI$100,000, is being spearheaded by Cayman Maritime Heritage Foundation chairman Bob Soto, who lost two brothers at sea.
Though private donations of between CI$5,000 and CI$10,000 are being sought, lesser contributions will be equally welcome, according to Mr. Soto. "We would like to solicit the support of small and large donations and have the input of as many people on the three islands as possible," Mr. Soto told the Caymanian Compass.
Designed to be viewed 'in the round', the raised statue, to be unveiled next May during Cayman's quincentennial celebrations, will represent the slightly larger than life figures of a man and his son as if viewed from a ship's deck.
Once complete the sculpture will be sited in the new cruise ship dock on Harbour Drive, on the current site of Casanova's restaurant. It will rest on a granite plinth base surrounded by quarried Cayman rock.
Some money has already been collected and the committee is looking for the public's support to meet extraneous costs connected with the project.
As well as paying for the sculpture, the money is required for ancillary expenses including: labour to move and place the piece; preparation of the park area with lighting; shipping; and bronze plaques for the piece, one remembering the seamen and another acknowledging those who contributed to the project.
Funds are also needed to reprint 20,000 copies of the 1943 National Geographic article, "Capturing Giant Turtles in the Caribbean" and an accompanying photograph, which inspired the design.
It is hoped that if the total sum is raised, some of the amount can be used for the article's distribution to residents and schools prior to the unveiling.
Award-winning Canadian sculptor Simon Morris is constructing the memorial. Envisaged by Bob and Suzy Soto, Mr. Burns Rutty and Ms Linda Palmer during their trip to the Gloucester Seamen's Memorial. Continued on page 2 from page 1
rial in Massachusetts some years ago. The two-figure statue will be the fulfilment of a long-held dream.
Mr. Morris specialises in marine and maritime sculpture. His work, already known in Cayman, includes the submerged mermaid located in the waters off Sunset House. Local artist Leslie Bergstrom is the scheme's project manager.
According to Mr. Soto, the statue will be digitally mapped and carved from high-density urethane foam. The details will then be re-sculpted by hand in a thin wax layer and applied. The final process involves the piece then being moulded and cast as an original sculpture for bronze casting using the 'lost wax' process.
As a lasting structure to commemorate the contributions and sacrifice of the islands' mariners, the foundation "feels [the] sculpture will be a moving addition to the new cruise ship docking area and will serve to beautify the facility, educate tourists and Caymanians alike for many, many years."
CMHF, a not-for-profit organisation, asks that donation cheques made out to "Memorial Statue Project" and sent to the Sotos c/o P.O Box 30077SMB or to Leslie Bergstrom c/o 30168SMB. For further details of the project contact Mr. Soto tel: 945-5117 or fax: 949-1607. Right: A map of the statue's proposed location in downtown Georgetown.
