SCHOONER BLUENOSE HISTORY:
W. J. Roue, a young naval architect, was selected to design a fishing schooner
to try win against the Americans. A sleek looking craft, designed to meet the race rule set for competing for the William
H. Dennis trophy having specifications of 145 feet overall maximum length and racing trim water line length not exceeding
112 feet, was constructed at the Smith and Rutland Yard in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. She was christened the Bluenose
and launched with great fanfare on March 26, 1921. The Bluenose was financed by Captain Angus Walters and four Halifax
businessmen at a cost of $35,000. The launch was well in time for the Bluenose to complete a successful fishing season
on the Atlantic Banks. She soon proved to be an excellent sailing vessel as the Bluenose handily won the 1921 Canadian
trials over seven other competing schooners. That year, the American trial winner was the Elsie, captained by Marty
Welch. Two exciting races were held in late October, both won by the Bluenose to bring the International Fishermen's
Trophy back home!
Captain Walters and the skilled Bluenose crew again won the cup in 1922,
beating the American challenger, the Henry Ford but after closely winning the first race in 1923 against Captain
Ben Pine's Columbia, the Racing Committee awarded the second race, protested because the winning Bluenose
passed a buoy on the wrong side, to the Columbia. Captain Walters refused to accept the Sailing Committee's decision
and left for Lunenburg in a counter protest with the 1923 race series tied at one win each. This disagreement caused a seven
year lapse in the International Fishermen's competition. During this period, the Lunenburg fleet was severely battered by
rough seas, including the Bluenose. However, repairs were made and in 1930, the Bluenose accepted a race
challenge in Gloucester, USA, to compete against a new American schooner, the Gertrude L. Thebaud, captained by Walters'
old rival, master sailor Ben Pine. This time, the Bluenose lost two out of three races, resulting in absolute jubilation amongst
the New Englanders, who called for a resumption of the International Fishermen's Race series. This indeed occurred in the
fall of 1931 when the Bluenose met the Thebaud in Halifax waters. The Bluenose prevailed, surging
ahead in two straight races and was once again named the queen of the North Atlantic fishing fleet!
Finally in 1938, when fishing under sail had all but ended, the last International
Fishermen's Cup was held off Gloucester as a test of the best of five races. The first race was won by Captain Walters' long
time rival, the Thebaud, crossing the finish line two minutes, fifty six seconds ahead of the Bluenose.
However, the Bluenose honour was redeemed in the second race four days later on October 13, 1938 by a handy twelve
minute margin. Light winds delayed the next official race by some ten days when the Bluenose again won, this time
by just over six minutes. Not to be outdone, in boisterous seas the next day, the Thebaud beat the Bluenose
by some five minutes over a thirty five nautical mile course. The final race was held on October 26, 1938. In light winds,
the Bluenose prevailed by a margin of just under three minutes and for the final time, took the International Fisherman's
Trophy back home to Canada!
Various challenges were then made for further races but sadly, that was not to be.
A sailing schooner could no longer earn a living against more economic diesel powered fishing vessels and Captain Walters
lost control of the Bluenose. She was eventually sold for coastal trading in Caribbean waters and on a dark January
night in 1946, the grand champion Bluenose struck a reef in waters just off Haiti. She was wrecked beyond repair
although all hands were saved and so ended a glorious era of sailing history.
MINOR ASSEMBLY REQUIRED: To save cost, this model is shipped
with its masts down and bowsprit housed. For most people, it is a simple affair to step the mast, rig the bow sprit, and
hook on all the stays and shrouds, and attach the sails. The detailed instructions are excellent, and the sails have numbered
stickers on them, but if you have a problem, email or call us for guidance.
OUR UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTEE:
If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned, if without damage, within three days of receipt in its
original condition and packaging. Returns must be insured for their full value. All that is required is a prior email authorization
by us for the return. Unfortunately, no refund can be made for the cost of shipping, packaging and handling.
International buyers welcome, but inquire first. We have satisfied customers in Australia,
Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, Chile, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico,
New Zealand, Norway, Nova Scotia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, USVI and the Eastern Caribbean.
SHIPPING & PACKING: The
cost of shipping, packing, handling, and insurance to your destination, will be calculated after the auction and
is an additional charge. You may email us before bidding to get these costs. We price our shipping honestly, but we expect
to be reimbursed for the nominal cost of packaging materials and handling.
Buy this very special vintage Bluenose model
Now! What a great find for that special collection that includes only the finest and most noteworthy.
Copyright 2005 by Land And Sea Collection, All Rights Reserved
