Wooden Ship

Jan Adkins’ “Wooden Ship” is the chronicle of a ship’s birth; from the need and idea of a new vessel we see her abuilding in the mind of her designer, in the timbers of her ribs, in the tools and skills of her workmen. We follow her as she grows, as she disappears out to sea in search of whales and riches, and beyond. “Wooden Ship” reaches back to the year 1868 and brings to us a vision of life and vitality woven around the mythical whaleship “Ulysses.” We see the workmen and their work as if caught in amber, demonstrating their crafts, shaping a great world-cruising ship that bears away their arts, New Bedford’s hopes and our imaginations.