The Mariner
Located on the median between Robinson Street and the Marine Museum parking lot, The Mariner looks out onto Lake Erie. A reminder of Port Burwell's connection with the Great Lakes, The Mariner serves as a link with our history and a promise of our the future.
The Mariner provided the inspiration for the Port Burwell Historical Society's most recent logo.
The History of The Mariner
The Mariner was commissioned in the late 1990's by the Port Burwell Historical Society as a Millenium Project, along with the mural painted on the south side of the former Red and White Store.
There are three components to this recognizable piece of Port Burwell:
1. The main component, The Mariner, was carved by Peter Turrell of Grand Valley, Ontario.
2. The ship’s wheel was donated by a Ship Captain’s wife from Victoria Street to complement The Mariner carving.
3. The pedestal, a surplus Coast Guard Marker, was donated and installed by Ron Bradfield.
The completed art work was unveiled by then Port Burwell Historical Society President and Bayham Councilor for Port Burwell, David Mason.
The Mariner has previously been removed three times from its pedestal for refurbishment. The restorations were conducted in the former Port Burwell Municipal Garage on Elizabeth Street.
Each time it was down, PBHS member Chuck Buchannan carefully cleaned it and treated it with wood preservative, as recommended by Peter Turrell. Chuck also repainted the Wheel, and returned it to the pedestal using the lift truck belonging to long time PBHS President, Ron Bradfield.
2025 - 2026 Restoration process
Damages
Arrival At The Shop
Arrival At The Shop
With The Mariner safely inside the shop, an initial inspection of the sculpture and the wheel were conducted.
The main sculpture is in relatively good shape. He has weathered over the years and it has given him a rugged patina. The sculptor, Peter Turrell, assures us this is not an issue and is very pleased with his current appearance. There are some cracks that have formed along the lines of the woodgrain that need to be addressed and we have documented the techniques and materials recommended by Peter.
Unfortunately, the wheel portion of the ensemble has suffered numerous issues and is beyond repair. This will need to be replaced. We are currently reviewing our options.
Arrival At The Shop
Arrival At The Shop
Arrival At The Shop
While we used a crane to remove The Mariner from his pedestal and load him on the trailer, his transfer at the shop was done using the ingenuity and strong backs of some of our awesome members.
It may not have been elegant, but it was effective and The Mariner is now safely inside, protected from the elements as we begin the actual restoration and stabilization work.
Transportation
Arrival At The Shop
Transportation
After The Mariner was removed from the pedestal, he was loaded on a trailer and transported to a heated facility deep in the heart of Port Burwell where volunteers will complete the restoration throughout the winter.
You can clearly see the wear & tear in the wheel as a result of the exposure to the elements.
The Removal
The Beginning
Transportation
On November 18, 2025, The Mariner was safely removed from the top of his pedestal.
A huge shout out to all the community members who provided the expertise and equipment necessary for this delicate lift.
The Beginning
The Beginning
The Beginning
Our noble Mariner is showing the effects of battling the elements. In the fall of 2025 the Port Burwell Historical Society decided a restoration of our noteworthy carving was necessary to ensure he could continue his vigil in downtown Port Burwell for years to come.
About The Sculptor - Peter Turrell
Peter Turrell is a Canadian Artist whose works include sculpture, painting and photography. He grew up next to the Luther Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary instilling in him a fascination with the Canadian landscape. His art has grown out of these early influences and shows a uniquely Canadian character, complimented by the opportunity to study with Native American and Classical European carvers while a young man. He has always considered wood his specialty and has spent a good portion of his life trying to make sense of the world through exploration and expression in this medium.
" As the sculptor, you are aware of what your audience will see, that's the technical side. The mystery is what they will feel. That's the part that makes you an Artist, the viewer to be pulled into the feeling you were trying to present, to provoke thought, challenge their sensory perception, touch their humanity. These are the goals of true artists. The development of a style that spans the ages, perhaps inspiring someone to perform an act of greatness in their own lives. It is my opinion that in this next century, the adversity will no longer be with the church, nor the state; but the division between being another ordinary person or a true spiritual Human Being. If in my life I were able to say I was part of a creative movement, like for example Impressionism or Cubism, I would like that it was 'the Age of Enlightenment'."
When not creating art, Peter feeds the other aspects of his personality by way of the Millennium Institution; a project founded by he and his partner Donna Pascoe, to promote and develop sustainable autonomous housing designs and environmental living. He feels this helps to balance his sense of priorities in life. For additional information regarding e Millennium Institution, please visit http://millenniuminstitution.com/index.php
Peter's works are in public, private and corporate collections internationally and are recognised by his seal of the Stag's Head. He maintains a studio outside Grand Valley, Ontario, Canada.
