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Upcoming Events and Programs | |
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Public Talk: HUDSON-70 – The First Voyage to Circumnavigate the Americas Thursday, November 19 7:30 pm Please note: This talk was originally scheduled for Tuesday, November 17 but has been moved due to a scheduling conflict.  The Hydrographic Survey vessel Hudson  Doctor Peter Wadhams
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Hudson-70 was a unique expedition in that it was the last of the great multidisciplinary globe-spanning oceanographic expeditions that established our basic knowledge of the world oceans, whilst also being a modern expedition using the latest methods to enhance the rate of data gathering. The ship accomplished the first circumnavigation of the Americas, a feat which has only been repeated once since then, in 1977 by an ice-strengthened yacht. The motivation for Hudson-70 came from a conjunction of perceived research needs which could best be satisfied by a clockwise survey of the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic in sequence. The oceanography of the South Atlantic was poorly understood; the flow of water through Drake Passage had not been measured adequately; the Chilean fjords had not been visited by scientists since the time of Darwin in the Beagle; a need was recognised for a long S-N transect of the Pacific to calibrate forthcoming altimetry satellites; and the Beaufort Sea and Northwest Passage had never had their oceanography or marine geology studied. Hudson was able to carry out all these tasks through a series of month-long legs in which over 100 scientists participated, and which lasted from November 1969 to October 1970. The ship also visited many out-of-the-way ports in South America showing the Canadian flag. In this lecture Dr Peter Wadhams covers the scientific history of Hudson-70 but also shows something of what it was like to sail aboard a long expedition in that far-off era of the 1960s. Peter Wadhams was assistant to the senior scientist on Hudson-70 and was on board for the entire voyage. He then became a polar oceanographer focusing on sea ice and ocean processes in the Arctic and Antarctic. He has been Director of the Scott Polar Research Institute, Cambridge University, and is now Professor of Ocean Physics at the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics. His hobby for the last 39 years has been writing a book about Hudson-70 which is now available (he hopes) and is called “The Great Ocean of Truth”. | |
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Book Launch: Pirates of the Atlantic: Robbery, murder and mayhem off the Canadian East Coast by Dan Conlin Tuesday, November 24 7:30 pm  cover art for Dan's new book! Photo courtesy of Formac Publishing  Our vaguely piratical Curator of Marine History, Dan Conlin! Photo courtesy of Miss Laura Dowling
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Join author and curator Dan Conlin and Formac Publishing for the launch of the new book Pirates of the Atlantic: Robbery, murder and mayhem of the Canadian East Coast. Dan will present an illustrated talk drawing on the many beautiful colour images in the book which was inspired by the Museum's 2007 pirate exhibit. Books will be available for sale and signing by the author, but watch out because some real live pirates will also be in attendance. | |
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Video Presentation: Guardians of the Night Wednesday, November 25 7:30 pm 
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As part of their monthly meeting, the Nova Scotia Lighthouse Preservation Society will
presenting a screening of Guardians of the Night, which the public are welcome to attend. This excellent production from 1988 features lighthouses from France, Great Britain, USA and Canada. The Canadian segment is very special as it was filmed during the de-staffing period in the Maritimes and captures several of the last staffed lighthouses in Nova Scotia as keepers were forced to leave. | |
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Public Talk: The Halifax Explosion: Then and Now Tuesday, December 1 7:30 pm  Janet and Joan's newest book cover art courtesy of Rachelle Goguen, Nimbus Publishing
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On December 6th, 1917, the city of Halifax was rocked by the largest man-made explosion before the Atomic Age. To begin a series of events to mark the anniversary, Janet Kitz and Joan Payzant will be
presenting a talk on Halifax's darkest day. This illustrated talk will feature sites in Halifax and Dartmouth that are connected with the Halifax Explosion, their appearance and use before, immediately after the explosion, and as they are now. First hand accounts make the illustrations more vivid. Janet Kitz became interested in the Halifax Explosion because of a research paper for a course at St Mary's University in 1980. Her involvement intensified when, in 1982, she began sorting and cataloguing the mortuary bags that had lain in the basement of Province House since the official Chebucto School mortuary closed. The objects in the bags were of interest in themselves, but many months of study of documents, copious reports, letters, city history, maps, and interviews with survivors of the explosion led to a vivid picture of the people connected with the bags, and their lives. In 1983, she was appointed to the Halifax Explosion Memorial Bells committee. This brought a connection with the churches in the area, and more meetings with survivors. The "Class of 1917" reunion at Richmond School was a special occasion. These interviews proved valuable, not only as historical records, but for the survivors and their families. Many had not spoken much about their experiences, and to do so was a release. There were many social occasions, with a great deal of talk and reminiscences. Two exhibits at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic displayed the results of her research, and three books, "Shattered City", "Survivors", and "December 1917", with Joan Payzant. There have also been television and radio programmes, newspaper and magazine articles, other committees, and a great number of lectures. Joan (Murray) Payzant was born in Dartmouth, and except for two years in Montreal, has lived there all her life. She taught in Dartmouth schools and with her engineer husband, "Pete" Payzant , wrote a history of the Dartmouth/Halifax Ferries, "Like a Weaver's Shuttle". She has also written "Halifax, Cornerstone of Canada" ; "Second To None, A History of Public Education in Dartmouth"; "Who's a Scaredy-Cat!" , a children's story about the 1917 Explosion; and "December 1917" in collaboration with Dr. Janet Kitz. For several years she was a columnist in The Dartmouth Free Press writing on local history, and has served on Dartmouth's Heritage Advisory Committee and Dartmouth Commons Committee. Both Dr. Kitz and Joan Payzant are Fellows of the Royal Nova Scotia Historical Society. | |
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Free Event: Halifax Explosion Memorial Concert With David Stone and Friends Saturday, December 5 7:30 pm 
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The story of the Halifax Explosion, December 6, 1917, is a tale of sadness
and sorrow, but also, of strength and courage under adversity. Join musician David Stone in commemorating the 92nd anniversary of the Halifax Explosion with a performance of song and spoken word, recounting this old, but ever important story. This event is free of charge, though donations to APSEA and the Halifax School for the Blind (Sir Frederick Fraser School) will be accepted. | |
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Public Event: Halifax Explosion Survivors' Reception Sunday, December 6 2:00 - 4:00 pm
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The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic invites you to share in a remarkable anniversary event.
This year's reception for survivors of the 1917 Halifax Explosion and their families will be taking
place at 2:00 in the Small Craft Gallery and in our Explosion exhibit, Halifax Wrecked. The event provides members of the public with a chance to learn more about the story of the disaster from those who were there and discover how the legacy of the event has been passed down through the generations. Light refreshments will be served. | |
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Public Talk Tales of Pirates & Privateers of the North Atlantic Select Tuesdays at 7 p.m.  Avast!!
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Not all tales of piracy belong to the Caribbean. Ned Low and the dread pirate Roberts sailed eastern Canada’s waters too! Our coasts brought both pirates and privateers successes or failures, riches or capture. Bring your sense of adventure and discover the differences between villainous pirates and patriotic privateers.
Please note, this tour is subject to availability. Call 902-424-7490 for schedule. Free admission on Tuesdays after 5:30 p.m. | |
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Public Talk Ghosts & Marine Folklore Select Tuesdays at 7 p.m.
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Nova Scotian ghosts and restless spirits have been seen, sensed or heard along the coast by more than just one person! Stick with your group as you hear stories about spirits that have haunted our shores.
Please note, this tour is subject to availability. Call 902-424-7490 for schedule. Free admission on Tuesdays after 5:30 p.m | |
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Boatbuilding Demonstration: Restoring a “C”-Class Sloop  Eamonn Doorly restoring Whim.
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Each weekday, visit the large boatshed on the wharf and watch as work proceeds on the Museum’s latest restoration project, the "C" Class sloop, Whim. This 37 foot-long boat originated in Chester, Nova Scotia in the 1930s and was designed by Reuben Heisler. Once restored, this vessel will be a beautiful example of it’s era and a joy to behold in action. To see the project’s progress online, click here. | |
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Other Events and Programs Exhibits/Workshops/ At the Wharves/ Birthday Parties
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For more information on our many other programs and exhibits, please click here. | |
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