Bluenose – Ink in a Watercolour Moleskine
This famous schooner was launched in 1921. She was designed to fish the Grand Banks of Nova Scotia and race in some of the great ocean going races. She was fast and won many honours, quickly becoming a symbol and icon of Canada. She was even commemorated on a 50C Canadian postage stamp in 1929 (and other stamps decades later). Alas, progress meant that sailing boats became uneconomical and she ended her days hauling freight, such as coal, in the Caribbean. In 1946 she hit a reef, off Haiti and was lost. This is a video, showing her racing. It is accompanied by music from the late Stan Rogers – another Canadian icon – both sadly missed.
There was some good news. A replica, Bluenose 11, was built in the early 1960;s and still sails, as a an ambassador, from the port of Lunenburg where the original Bluenose was built.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunenburg,_Nova_Scotia
Many years ago a song, popular in folk clubs, described Bluenose. I wonder if anyone knows of a recording of this or even can access the words. All I can remember, accurately I hope, is the chorus:
Bluenose, Bluenose!
Sailing through the wind and rain.
Bluenose, Bluenose!
Will we ever see your likes, again?
dzana 7:54 am on May 18, 2010 | #
Uncle Bob, this is wonderful. I like the sea and all kinds of boats. Your stories are so interesting as well!
Rudat 9:07 am on May 18, 2010 | #
She’s a beauty! Well done, Uncle Bob!
trebor61 1:09 pm on May 18, 2010 | #
Ha Ha “Uncle Bob” Two ladies, on two different continents conspiring to emphasise my advancing years. Glad my “Nieces” like this and that Dzana finds the text interesting. Susan – it was your “New Bedford” post which got me thinking about famous ships. Thank you for getting the salty water to course through my veins
Leo 3:53 pm on May 18, 2010 | #
Hey, Bob! You know, I can change your Display Name officially to “Uncle Bob”. Would you like that?
trebor61 3:02 am on May 19, 2010 | #
Go on then Leo – for a laugh, but you will have to inform folks officially that I have changed my name by “Deed pole” – in case they think I have vanished.
ziza 4:52 am on May 20, 2010 | #
Listen Uncle Bob:
You are officially my grandchild now since my daughter (your nice) is your godmother now! (according to our customs since she named you and according to English dictionary: “godparent (plural godparents)1. The person who stood for a child during a naming ceremony…”)
I, as her father, have become your grandpa now and I expect nothing but due respect from now on!