Tamanend (sculpture)

Tamanend was a prominent figurehead on the USS Delaware, masterfully carved by William Luke. In 1861, as the Civil War commenced, the ship was burned to prevent it from falling into Confederate hands. However, the figurehead was salvaged and relocated to the United States Naval Academy in 1868.

Originally referred to as "the figurehead of the Delaware" it underwent restoration in 1906. In 1930, the Naval Academy's class of 1891 commissioned a bronze version, which was cast at the U.S. Naval Gun Factory. Although the figurehead was initially named Tamanend, midshipmen at the Academy began calling it Tecumseh, after the renowned Shawnee warrior chief.

The sculpture portrays the chief adorned with three feathers and carrying a quiver of arrows. The bronze replica, crafted in 1930, proudly stands before Bancroft Hall on a Vermont marble base, in an area known as Tecumseh Court. The original wooden carving by Luke was restored in 1970 and is now displayed in the Academy’s visitor center.

Inscriptions on the statue highlight its origins as the figurehead of the USS Delaware and acknowledge the gift from the class of 1891. Another inscription notes the bronze casting by the U.S. Naval Gun Factory in Washington, D.C., in 1929.

At the Naval Academy, the figurehead is affectionately known as Tecumseh, or the "God of 2.0" symbolizing the passing grade point average. Midshipmen toss pennies at the statue for good luck during exams and competitions. It’s also a cherished tradition to paint Tecumseh before major events, home games, and ceremonies throughout the year.