A word “stevedore” was probably added in the English lexicon from the Portuguese “estivador” (literally: a man who stores cargo), what in turn comes from a Latin word “stīpāre” – fill stuff. Sailors called lumpers that. Such term was used for workers loading and unloading of vessels since XVIII century.
In current times stevedores may be considered as mediators between a vessel and a port. They provide the loading journal, safety and effective working in teams. As a rule, a stevedore must be healthy in the physical realm, hardy, ready to undergo all kinds of weather.
These guys should be given their due, the shipping industry couldn’t develop without their involvement. It’s natural a lot of countries perpetuated dock laborers in the art particularly in sculptures and monuments. We want to present to you some of them.
“The monument to a docker”
Ukraine, Odessa
The historical profession is in the heart of a shipping sector, so no wonder if you meet some sculptures like this in marine cities. This sight was built at the initiative of the largest sea port in Ukraine. The port authorities advertised the best design of the memorial to a stevedore as a hard-worker, ordinary, honest, strong and resilient guy, overpowering any work in any weather. Opened in 2002 on the Customs square the monument reminds everybody who oversteps the door of the port, that a terminal toiler is the main figure in the port any time. Now Odessa has about 2 000 dock laborers, they are the main key port workforce.
“Dockers”
Finland, Kotka
This sight was built in far 1966 in the upper part of the park, which offers beautiful view of the Kotka port and the Maritime museum. The Finnish sculptor Oskari Jauhiainen had in mind to embody a pair of workers, who helps in city docks. But local stevedores call the sculpture “Plants thieves” due to the composition characters who carries more heavy burden than while working. However, the monument becames one of the most recognizable Oskari Jauhiainen’s sculptures and of Kotka-city in particular.
“The Linesman”
Ireland, Dublin
The bronze sculpture of the linesman was presented in February 2000 between two bridges: Matt Talbot and Seán O’Casey. It aims to renew in local residents’ minds and demonstrate the city visitors shipping works on the River Liffey in former times. The sculpture was done with Dony MacManus’ hands – the famous Irish sculptor and creator of a lot of monuments, known around the world.
“London Dockers”
The United Kingdom, London
This group sculpture is quite new among the same. Being erected in 2009 it brings to common attention three lumpers: Johnny Ringwood, Patrick Holland and Mark Tibbs – the people who did a lot for Royal Docks in XIX century. Turning of solid bronze, the sculpture was cost over £ 250 000. The artist Les Johnson immortalized one of the most important job not only in the UK, but in the maritime world also.
