2021-03-31

Virtual event celebrates centennial of Bluenose’s launch

Descendants of main players linked to the legacy of Canada's most famous ship, and a swath of national and local dignitaries, paid tribute to the iconic schooner during an hour-long 100th birthday celebration marking the vessel's original Lunenburg launch.

At 10 a.m., March 26 - matching the exact time and date in 1921 when the original schooner hit the water for the first time - a virtual tribute aired on social media platforms operated by the committee organizing the centennial.

The video featured a series of interviews, videos, historical footage and remarks from community leaders.

Allan Browne, a local historian, said Bluenose's legacy comes from those who built, sailed, fished from, and raced aboard her. "She operated on all of those areas, and with undeniable success," he said near the end of the video, "and she's a beautiful ship to look at."

Based on the designs of naval architect William J. Roue, the original Bluenose was built at the Smith and Rhuland shipyard in Lunenburg. Among the slate of commentary featured in the video, Joan Roue, William J. Roue's great granddaughter, offers her insights. George Rhuland, grandson of Smith and Rhuland founder George Alfred Rhuland, and Susan Smith-Pratt, daughter of Audrey Smith who christened the original vessel, also give their views.

The video in its entirety can be seen at https://bit.ly/3rzxwhz on the internet.

The Bluenose reached national admiration status with its racing and fishing heritage. Captained by Angus Walters, it conquered international fishermen's cup races nearly 20 years in a row. The Queen of North Atlantic, as the Bluenose became known, raced for the last time competitively in the late 1930s. The vessel was losing money as the Second World War ramped-up, and was sold in 1942 to the West Indies Trading Company to haul freight. The Bluenose was transporting bananas and rum near Haiti in 1946 when it struck a reef and sank.

Since then, the schooner's image lives on; whether it be on coins, postage stamps, names of community groups, or Nova Scotia's vehicle registration plate.

"The owners, builders, and operators likely had no idea the vessel would be a racing champion, and an enduring Canadian symbol," Arthur LeBlanc, Nova Scotia's lieutenant governor, opined during his comments early-on in the video.

Canada Post launched a special commemorative stamp, while the Royal Canadian Mint recently released a pure silver dollar, a pure gold coin, and a pure silver proof set among special currency to mark the special occasion. Chief executives of both Crown corporations offered remarks in the video.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau led-off the tribute noting how the Bluenose represents perseverance and hard work.

Nova Scotians now have the replica Bluenose II as its current sailing ambassador. That vessel's captain, Philip Watson, was among those making remarks during the virtual event.

Birthday celebrations continued at 7 p.m. with local musicians, performers and storytellers showcased on the internet.

Centennial organizers are planning virtual trivia, cooking, art, and other weekly online activities over the next few months. New or refreshed exhibits will be available, including items to view at the revamped Big Boat Shed.

Along with Sollows, officials with Lunenburg's Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic and the marine museum society talked about their respective organizations' plans in conjunction with the Bluenose celebrations.

However, there is one, non-internet-based event this summer that's expected to have revellers flying high in the 'burg.

The Snowbirds aerobatic team, which happens to be marking its own 50th birthday this year, is scheduled to do an airshow on August 25.

Web surfers can go to www.bluenose100.ca on the internet to view events and learn more about the celebrations.