Model of a Gun Position on the Afterdeck c. 1834

This is a model of a gun position on the afterdeck made by Rijkswerf Rotterdam. The recurring maritime symbol of the ship carries a rich cargo of meanings. Since ancient times, the ship has represented a vessel of souls, a carrier of life through uncertain waters. The placement of cannons transforms this vessel into a tool of war, shifting the ship's purpose from transportation and discovery to one of defense and aggression. Here, the ship becomes a symbol of national strength, an emblem of dominance projected across the seas. This symbol transcends mere conflict, evoking deeply ingrained psychological responses. Consider its appearance across various contexts, from funerary boats carrying souls to the afterlife to Viking longships striking fear along coastlines. The symbol of the ship thus evolves, shaped by collective experiences and fears, continuously reinvented and imbued with new layers of meaning as it sails through history.