Lunenburg's Bluenose II - second generation Sailing Ambassador for Nova Scotia
Bluenose History
In January, 1946, Bluenose went aground on a reef, near Haiti. She never sailed again.
Many schooners met a similar fate. The Bluenose memory, however, continued. When the replica of Bounty was built at Smith and Rhuland Shipyard in 1960, Lunenburgers spoke of a Bluenose II.
Like a ghost ship, she came back to life in 1963. She was built by many of the men who had worked on the original vessel and was launched from the same shipyard. Captain Angus Walters, master of the Original Bluenose, sailed on the maiden voyage of Bluenose II. The replica was also endorsed by Original Bluenose designer William Roué. Financed by Oland Brewery, her purpose was to advertise their products while promoting Nova Scotia's maritime heritage, tourist appeal and business potential.
In 1971, the schooner was gifted to the Government of Nova Scotia. In the years since, its role as floating ambassador for the province has been consistent.
The 143-foot schooner sails out of Lunenburg, and visits Halifax and other ports throughout the province and the world. Two-hour harbour cruises (75 passenger capacity) are open to the public. Tickets are available by reservation. For departure times click the Bluenose II sailing schedule.
Not much has changed in the 80-plus years since the Original Bluenose was launched in 1921. Both vessels have always represented a fixed time, place and way of life: Nova Scotia's great Age of Sail and the traditional seafaring existence of a maritime people. Both vessels have been marketed and promoted by corporate interests: Halifax Herald, Oland Brewery and the Government of Nova Scotia - for purposes far beyond the primary role of the original gritty little salt-bank schooner. Both have always been larger-than-life, iconic and mysterious in the pull they exert over those who are intrigued by the sea and the seafaring experience.
Funds for the operation of the ship are raised through charging for passage on the vessel, public donations, and sales in the Fisheries Museum Gift Shop. Both the museum and Bluenose II are run by the Lunenburg Marine Museum Society.
