Captain on the Helm Sculpture

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Who braves the tempest’s roar, the waves’ fierce might? Here at Navy Pier, the Captain on the Helm sculpture stands as a testament to those mariners. The Captain on the Helm, also known as Captain at the Helm, is a bronze sculpture by Michael Martino. It was dedicated on May 19, 2000. The sculpture was a gift from the Chicago Lodge of Shipmasters International. The Captain on the Helm depicts a ship’s captain, hands firmly gripping the wheel, tilted against the imagined force of a storm. His jacket whips in the wind, a visual testament to the unseen gale. The plaque beneath reads, “To those courageous mariners who guided their ships through perilous waters, carrying cargo and people. Their contributions have been so much a part of our history. May they never be forgotten.” The surrounding stone steps and brickwork are etched with names. These are the names of legendary captains and the donors who made this tribute possible. A further inscription shares a poignant line from John Masefield’s poem “Ships”: “They mark our passage as a race of men, Earth will not see such ships as those agen.” The Captain on the Helm sculpture serves as a powerful reminder of the bravery and skill of those who navigate the unpredictable waters. Their legacy lives on here at Navy Pier.

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