I was cruising You tube; and found this video.
It is a depiction of one of the greatest of Canadian legends: the famous sailing ship Bluenose.
The Bluenose is more than an interesting point in Canadian history; she is legend. The most successful fisherman to ever scour the Grand Banks; she was also the fastest fishing schooner ever built. At the turn of the last century; sailing races were conducted by working ships: vessels who worked hard - either fishing, freighting or surveying - to turn a profit. At that time, the most prestigious racing event was the Sir Thomas Lipton International Fishing Challenge Cup - the predecessor to the now-legendary America's Cup.
By that standard, the Bluenose was the greatest sailing ship that ever shouldered the powerful seas of the [ame=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Banks_of_Newfoundland]Grand Banks of Newfoundland[/ame]. She consistenly caught more fish than any other ship and when racing season came; no other schooner could match her.
Only one ship ever competed evenly against Bluenose; the celebrated American schooner Gertrude L. Thebaud. The Gertrude handed Bluenose her only loss; a humiliating 2-0 defeat in her second year of competition. Following that defeat; Capt. Angus Walters of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, took the lessons Gertrude had taught him to heart. He beat the Gertrude the next year. Over the next 17 years no challenger of any country managed to wrest the Cup away from the mighty Bluenose.
No man or nation ever beat Bluenose; but no man or nation can stand against nature or business. In 1934 the Bluenose, unable to turn a profit in the face of the new steam and motor fishing boats, was sold to a company in the West Indies. Her glorious sails were stripped away; her stout masts shorn. She was converted to a cargo hulk and lasted less than ten years. In 1946, she struck a reef off Haiti and was wrecked - an ignominious end to a great ship.
But Bluenose lives on, in the hearts of all Canadians. In 1963 Bluenose II's keel was laid in Lunenberg - an exact replica of the storied Fisherman. She now sails the Eastern Seaboard; bringing the memory of that great age to youngsters of all generations. I've had the privelege of boarding her four times and sailing aboard her once; when she transferred from Toronto Harbour to Montreal. I have been informed by her Captain that Bluenose II does not engage in races for three reasons:
First, she is a historical ship; her Trust spends a great deal of money to keep her floating; much less racing. Second; Bluenose set so many records for fast sailing; few have been beaten to this day. The Trust considers it rude for a replica - however exact - to challenge her predecessor's achievements.
Third: in 2004 a very unofficial race took place between an America's Cup vessel and the magnificent Bluenose II. It wasn't arranged; there was an open course, the AC boat saw the replica sailing and dipped her flag in challenge. The result was astounding: the computer-designed, carbon-fiber, ultra-modern AC boat was left far in the wake of the Lady of Lunenberg. That might be something to crow about; but AC boats are designed for a specific race. Fishing schooners are built for all the danger the North Atlantic can throw at them. Besides; in the world of sailing hull-length is a critical consideration and few racing boat are a fraction of the size of the great Bluenose II. Many have commented on the race (and i'm trying to find it on Youtube) but the AC boat had no chance:it was sailing in Bluenose's optimal conditions:heavy weather and seas; zero visibility with ice to top it off. The workhorse left the racing thoroughbred far in the dust.
Please remember the glory of the magnificent Bluenose with me. Like I said at the beginning; I found a video and was eager to share it. It is the song 'Bluenose' by the great Canadian balladeer Stan Rogers. This[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWUD_r6E4U8] video[/ame] was made long after his death; and features very early colour footage of one of the races between Bluenose and the Gertrude. I hope you cherish it as much as I.
It is a depiction of one of the greatest of Canadian legends: the famous sailing ship Bluenose.
The Bluenose is more than an interesting point in Canadian history; she is legend. The most successful fisherman to ever scour the Grand Banks; she was also the fastest fishing schooner ever built. At the turn of the last century; sailing races were conducted by working ships: vessels who worked hard - either fishing, freighting or surveying - to turn a profit. At that time, the most prestigious racing event was the Sir Thomas Lipton International Fishing Challenge Cup - the predecessor to the now-legendary America's Cup.
By that standard, the Bluenose was the greatest sailing ship that ever shouldered the powerful seas of the [ame=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Banks_of_Newfoundland]Grand Banks of Newfoundland[/ame]. She consistenly caught more fish than any other ship and when racing season came; no other schooner could match her.
Only one ship ever competed evenly against Bluenose; the celebrated American schooner Gertrude L. Thebaud. The Gertrude handed Bluenose her only loss; a humiliating 2-0 defeat in her second year of competition. Following that defeat; Capt. Angus Walters of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, took the lessons Gertrude had taught him to heart. He beat the Gertrude the next year. Over the next 17 years no challenger of any country managed to wrest the Cup away from the mighty Bluenose.
No man or nation ever beat Bluenose; but no man or nation can stand against nature or business. In 1934 the Bluenose, unable to turn a profit in the face of the new steam and motor fishing boats, was sold to a company in the West Indies. Her glorious sails were stripped away; her stout masts shorn. She was converted to a cargo hulk and lasted less than ten years. In 1946, she struck a reef off Haiti and was wrecked - an ignominious end to a great ship.
But Bluenose lives on, in the hearts of all Canadians. In 1963 Bluenose II's keel was laid in Lunenberg - an exact replica of the storied Fisherman. She now sails the Eastern Seaboard; bringing the memory of that great age to youngsters of all generations. I've had the privelege of boarding her four times and sailing aboard her once; when she transferred from Toronto Harbour to Montreal. I have been informed by her Captain that Bluenose II does not engage in races for three reasons:
First, she is a historical ship; her Trust spends a great deal of money to keep her floating; much less racing. Second; Bluenose set so many records for fast sailing; few have been beaten to this day. The Trust considers it rude for a replica - however exact - to challenge her predecessor's achievements.
Third: in 2004 a very unofficial race took place between an America's Cup vessel and the magnificent Bluenose II. It wasn't arranged; there was an open course, the AC boat saw the replica sailing and dipped her flag in challenge. The result was astounding: the computer-designed, carbon-fiber, ultra-modern AC boat was left far in the wake of the Lady of Lunenberg. That might be something to crow about; but AC boats are designed for a specific race. Fishing schooners are built for all the danger the North Atlantic can throw at them. Besides; in the world of sailing hull-length is a critical consideration and few racing boat are a fraction of the size of the great Bluenose II. Many have commented on the race (and i'm trying to find it on Youtube) but the AC boat had no chance:it was sailing in Bluenose's optimal conditions:heavy weather and seas; zero visibility with ice to top it off. The workhorse left the racing thoroughbred far in the dust.
Please remember the glory of the magnificent Bluenose with me. Like I said at the beginning; I found a video and was eager to share it. It is the song 'Bluenose' by the great Canadian balladeer Stan Rogers. This[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWUD_r6E4U8] video[/ame] was made long after his death; and features very early colour footage of one of the races between Bluenose and the Gertrude. I hope you cherish it as much as I.
Last edited:
