Richard Henry Dana Jr.
On Friday April 25th a beautiful model statue was unveiled of a proposed permanent 6 foot bronze statue of Richard Henry Dana Jr. It is hoped the statue will be installed along R.H. Dana Place to recognize the namesake of this important street in Coronado.
R. H. Dana Place was so named by a unanimous vote of the Coronado City Council in 1931 to honor Richard Henry Dana Jr., his timeless contribution to US Naval and maritime causes, and his remarkable humanitarian deeds. R. H. Dana Place overlooks the area in San Diego at the base of Point Loma where Dana lived and worked extensively during the epic adventure chronicled in his book “Two Years Before the Mast.”
Dana is famous for the book he wrote as a young man. Little has been done however to honor him for his life’s work as an attorney in the mid nineteenth century fighting for the rights of fugitive slaves, the downtrodden, and the common sailor suffering injustices on the high seas. It is time for Dana to be suitably honored with this bronze statue of him, at a place which meant a great deal to him, and which helped shape his remarkable character.
In this placement Dana will be portrayed as the older man he was who returned to San Diego 24 years after his initial voyage. He will be pensively and thoughtfully gazing toward the location of his former duties, recollecting the significance of his original journey. His book will be in one hand, a nautical spyglass in the other. This sculpture will be painstakingly created in the true likeness and image of Dana as revealed in photographs of him.
Sculptor Lynn Forbes of Carlsbad, CA has committed to completing this project. Lynn is notably accomplished with many years experience, having completed other projects that rival, and exceed this one in scope. The importance of Lynn’s contribution to the project goes beyond her superior technical and artistic skill. Lynn has an uncanny ability to bring the human form to life. Her attention to detail and authentic realism is unrivaled. The half sized model she has already created as a prototype for the final statue is nothing short of breathtaking.
This will be an extraordinary work of art, and an historical monument for the ages. It has been more than 170 years since Dana completed his voyage to this place. This tribute to him will last another 170 years and beyond.
The statue will be funded through donations by individuals interested in art, history, and committed to preserving the remarkable story of a true American hero, that has long been overlooked.
For more information about the project, and to view this wonderful model statue up close and personal stop by the Dan McGeorge Gallery on R.H. Dana Place, open every day from 11 to 6.
Richard Henry Dana Jr. Three views of the model statue.
