Latest news with #BluenoseII
Toronto Star
2 days ago
- General
- Toronto Star
In Lunenburg, N.S., boatbuilders carve out niche markets in challenging times
Shipwrights work at the Big Boat Shed where traditional wooden boats are built on the historic waterfront of Lunenburg, N.S., on Monday, July 7, 2025. Located on the Smith and Rhuland boatyard which opened in 1900, the workshop was the main boatbuilding facility where more than 270 boats were built — including the Bluenose II. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese flag wire: true flag sponsored: false article_type: : sWebsitePrimaryPublication : publications/toronto_star bHasMigratedAvatar : false :
Hamilton Spectator
4 days ago
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
Historic Nova Scotia ship that led to wave of Scottish immigrants relaunched
PICTOU - A restored replica of the square-rigged sailing ship that sparked a wave of Scottish immigration to Nova Scotia more than 250 years ago was relaunched Saturday with a mighty splash into Pictou harbour. After a restoration and public fundraising effort that began in 2019, the rebuilt hull of the Hector was eased into the water sideways during a colourful ceremony on the town's scenic waterfront. During the launch, the vessel was guided down seven ramps, known as launchways, after supporting wedges were removed — a process master shipbuilder Vern Shea described as a sight to see. 'It's kind of nerve-wracking,' Shea said in a recent interview. 'I've witnessed quite a few launches in my career, and you always get the hair on the back of your neck rising and the goosebumps every time you see it.' Shea was instrumental in the original build of the Hector replica, which was not fit for sailing, and was installed 25 years ago, next to the interpretive centre and outbuildings of the Hector Heritage Quay. The wooden vessel was built from the original designs, using traditional methods and materials, Shea said. Over the years, the vessel wasn't properly maintained and fell into disrepair before the Ship Hector Society bought it for a few dollars in 2010 from the town of Pictou. The society has spearheaded a $4 million fundraising effort for the latest restoration, which required an extensive rebuild to transform the Hector into a fully working sailing vessel. 'It was the vision to sail it. It's been my hope all this time,' said Shea. 'It's becoming a reality, which is very fulfilling.' Shea, who also worked on the engineering drawings for the rebuild of Nova Scotia's iconic schooner Bluenose II, said the latest rebuild of the Hector required all of the hull planking above the ship's waterline to be removed and replaced because of rot. The ship was then covered in fibreglass for added protection. 'We replaced all of the rotten planks up to the main deck with Douglas fir planking and then we filled the seams with pine and then used two layers of fibreglass,' Shea said. Inside the hull are two cramped compartments built as they would have been in 1773, when 189 men, women and children made the harrowing 11-week voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. Smallpox claimed 18 lives during the journey. 'It would have been disgusting, there's no two ways about it,' said Shea. On its website, the Ship Hector Society says those who arrived aboard the Hector made 'enormous cultural, political, intellectual and industrial contributions that shaped Nova Scotia and the rest of Canada.' Saturday's launch was attended by several dignitaries, such as Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, federal Attorney General Sean Fraser and Chief Tamara Young of the Pictou Landing First Nation. Young said the arrival of Scottish settlers in northeastern Nova Scotia in 1773 changed the course of history for 'everyone who calls this land home.' 'For us as Mi'kmaq, our story does not begin with that ship. It began long before with thousands of years of life, culture and knowledge,' she said. 'The launch of this new ship, Hector, gives us an opportunity not just to commemorate the past, but to shape a better future.' Now that the ship is in the water and as more funding becomes available, the next phase of the project will begin, such as installing electric motors, masts and sails. It's hoped the refurbished Hector will be ready for harbour tours by 2027, said society chair Wes Surett. He said just over $2 million in public funds had been raised so far for the project, with another $1.8 million to go to finish the ship. On Saturday, that effort got an added boost with a donation of $1.25 million, announced by David Sobey from the Sobeys grocery chain and co-chair of the Hector capital campaign. Surett said the interpretive centre opened last month after an extensive revamp through funding from the federal and provincial governments. Future plans for the site also include the addition of a sailing program, along with a wooden shipbuilding school. Surett said a Hector that can finally set sail will be the real money-maker. 'We really see it (the ship) and that sailing experience generating the revenue to sustain the attraction long-term,' he said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 12, 2025. — By Keith Doucette in Halifax
Global News
4 days ago
- General
- Global News
Historic Hector ship set for relaunch in Nova Scotia
A restored replica of the square-rigged sailing ship that sparked a wave of Scottish immigration to Nova Scotia is set for a rebirth in the harbour where the vessel first arrived more than 250 years ago. After a restoration and public fundraising effort that began in 2019, the rebuilt hull of the Hector is scheduled to be side-launched — eased into the water sideways — during a ceremony on Saturday at the scenic harbour in Pictou, N.S. During the traditional launch, the vessel will slide down seven ramps — known as launchways — after supporting wedges are removed, a process master shipbuilder Vern Shea said will be a sight to see. 'It's kind of nerve-wracking,' Shea said in a recent interview. 'I've witnessed quite a few launches in my career and you always get the hair on the back of your neck rising and the goosebumps every time you see it.' Story continues below advertisement Shea was instrumental in the original build of the Hector replica, which was not fit for sailing, and was installed in the year 2000 next to the interpretive centre and outbuildings of the Hector Heritage Quay. The wooden vessel was built from the original designs, using traditional methods and materials, Shea said. But over the years the vessel wasn't properly maintained and it fell into disrepair before the Ship Hector Society bought it for a few dollars in 2010 from the town of Pictou. The society has spearheaded a $4-million fundraising effort for the latest restoration, which has required an extensive rebuild to eventually transform the Hector into a fully working sailing vessel. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'It was the vision to sail it, it's been my hope all this time,' said Shea. 'It's becoming a reality, which is very fulfilling.' Shea, who also worked on the engineering drawings for the rebuild of Nova Scotia's iconic schooner Bluenose II, said the latest rebuild of the Hector required all of the hull planking above the ship's waterline to be removed and replaced because of rot. The ship was then covered in fibreglass for added protection. 'We replaced all of the rotten planks up to the main deck with Douglas fir planking and then we filled the seams with pine and then used two layers of fibreglass,' Shea said. 5:41 Countdown to Ship Hector's launch Inside the hull are two cramped compartments built as they would have been in 1773, when 189 men, women and children made the harrowing 11-week voyage during which smallpox claimed 18 lives. Story continues below advertisement 'It would have been cramped and it would have been putrid and it would have been disgusting, there's no two ways about it,' said Shea. 'They (settlers) endured a lot to get here.' On its website, the Hector society says, 'Those who arrived aboard the Hector, as well as those Scottish settlers who followed, made enormous cultural, political, intellectual and industrial contributions that shaped Nova Scotia and the rest of Canada. 'This historic voyage marked the beginning of a massive wave of immigration that would shape the future of North America and gave Pictou the honour of being called 'The Birthplace of New Scotland.'' Once the vessel is in the water, the next phase of the project will begin — installing electric motors along with masts and sails. It's hoped the newly refurbished Hector will be ready for harbour tours by 2027, said society chair Wes Surett. He said just over $2 million in public funds has been raised so far for the project, with another $1.8 million to go to finish the ship. Surett said the interpretive centre opened last month after an extensive revamp through funding from the federal and provincial governments. He said it tells the story of the Scots and the local Mi'kmaq inhabitants who helped them, through interactive displays, audio-visual aids and a new panoramic theatre presentation. 'It really does a great interactive job of telling the story of survival and how the Celtic culture and the Mi'kmaq culture intertwined,' said Surett. Story continues below advertisement Future plans for the site also include the addition of a sailing program along with a wooden shipbuilding school; however, Surett said a Hector that can finally set sail will be the real money-maker. 'We really see it (the ship) and that sailing experience generating the revenue to sustain the attraction long-term,' he said.
Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
Historic Nova Scotia ship that led to wave of Scottish immigrants set for relaunch
PICTOU – A restored replica of the square-rigged sailing ship that sparked a wave of Scottish immigration to Nova Scotia is set for a rebirth in the harbour where the vessel first arrived more than 250 years ago. After a restoration and public fundraising effort that began in 2019, the rebuilt hull of the Hector is scheduled to be side-launched — eased into the water sideways — during a ceremony on Saturday at the scenic harbour in Pictou, N.S. During the traditional launch, the vessel will slide down seven ramps — known as launchways — after supporting wedges are removed, a process master shipbuilder Vern Shea said will be a sight to see. 'It's kind of nerve-wracking,' Shea said in a recent interview. 'I've witnessed quite a few launches in my career and you always get the hair on the back of your neck rising and the goosebumps every time you see it.' Shea was instrumental in the original build of the Hector replica, which was not fit for sailing, and was installed in the year 2000 next to the interpretive centre and outbuildings of the Hector Heritage Quay. The wooden vessel was built from the original designs, using traditional methods and materials, Shea said. But over the years the vessel wasn't properly maintained and it fell into disrepair before the Ship Hector Society bought it for a few dollars in 2010 from the town of Pictou. The society has spearheaded a $4-million fundraising effort for the latest restoration, which has required an extensive rebuild to eventually transform the Hector into a fully working sailing vessel. 'It was the vision to sail it, it's been my hope all this time,' said Shea. 'It's becoming a reality, which is very fulfilling.' Shea, who also worked on the engineering drawings for the rebuild of Nova Scotia's iconic schooner Bluenose II, said the latest rebuild of the Hector required all of the hull planking above the ship's waterline to be removed and replaced because of rot. The ship was then covered in fibreglass for added protection. 'We replaced all of the rotten planks up to the main deck with Douglas fir planking and then we filled the seams with pine and then used two layers of fibreglass,' Shea said. Inside the hull are two cramped compartments built as they would have been in 1773, when 189 men, women and children made the harrowing 11-week voyage during which smallpox claimed 18 lives. 'It would have been cramped and it would have been putrid and it would have been disgusting, there's no two ways about it,' said Shea. 'They (settlers) endured a lot to get here.' On its website, the Hector society says, 'Those who arrived aboard the Hector, as well as those Scottish settlers who followed, made enormous cultural, political, intellectual and industrial contributions that shaped Nova Scotia and the rest of Canada. 'This historic voyage marked the beginning of a massive wave of immigration that would shape the future of North America and gave Pictou the honour of being called 'The Birthplace of New Scotland.'' Once the vessel is in the water, the next phase of the project will begin — installing electric motors along with masts and sails. It's hoped the newly refurbished Hector will be ready for harbour tours by 2027, said society chair Wes Surett. He said just over $2 million in public funds has been raised so far for the project, with another $1.8 million to go to finish the ship. Surett said the interpretive centre opened last month after an extensive revamp through funding from the federal and provincial governments. He said it tells the story of the Scots and the local Mi'kmaq inhabitants who helped them, through interactive displays, audio-visual aids and a new panoramic theatre presentation. Currently on hiatus A review of funny, uplifting news in Winnipeg and around the globe. 'It really does a great interactive job of telling the story of survival and how the Celtic culture and the Mi'kmaq culture intertwined,' said Surett. Future plans for the site also include the addition of a sailing program along with a wooden shipbuilding school; however, Surett said a Hector that can finally set sail will be the real money-maker. 'We really see it (the ship) and that sailing experience generating the revenue to sustain the attraction long-term,' he said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 12, 2025. — By Keith Doucette in Halifax
CTV News
5 days ago
- CTV News
Replica 18th-century Ship Hector returning to Pictou Harbour this weekend
After five years of work, a replica of a famed 18th-century ship will be sailing into Pictou Harbour, N.S., this weekend. The Ship Hector replica will launch into the harbour at 11 a.m. on Saturday. The event will also feature pipe bands, deck tours of the Bluenose II, a blacksmith demonstration and more. The original Ship Hector brought the first wave of Scottish immigrants to Nova Scotia in 1773. The replica was built in the early 1990s and first launched in Pictou Harbour in 2000. It has been undergoing a complete refit in recent years. According to the Hector Heritage Quay, crews will continue to work on the ship following the launch, making it fully operational by summer 2027. Saturday's launch can be watched live on YouTube. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
