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| Bluenose II |
Launched in 1921, Bluenose was a Canadian
schooner from Nova Scotia, a celebrated racing ship and a symbol of
the province. The name "bluenose" originated as a nick-name for Nova
Scotians.
Her daughter, Bluenose II, was launched at
Lunenburg on July 24, 1963, built to original plans by many of the
same workers. She cost $208,600 to build and was financed by the
Oland Family as a marketing tool for their brewery operations in
Halifax and Saint John. Her popularity led to her being sold to the
government of Nova Scotia which in turn gave possession of the ship
to the Bluenose II Preservation Trust. The trust's mandate was to
restore the aging and poorly maintained ship to full operational
status and to operate her for the people of Nova Scotia. Over the
winter of 1994-95 the trust restored the ship’s hull, leading to her
being recommissioned in May 1995. The trust maintained and operated
Bluenose II until March 31 2005, when the government of Nova Scotia
placed the vessel under the management of the Lunenburg Marine
Museum Society.
The Bluenose II serves as a goodwill ambassador, tourist
attraction in Lunenburg, and symbol of the province. During the
summer, she visits ports all around Nova Scotia and frequently sails
to other ports on the eastern seaboard. In honor of her predecessor, Bluenose II does not
officially race.
Bluenose II, like her predecessor, had the largest working
mainsail in the world, measuring 386 m² (4,155 ft²); she has a total
sail area of 1036 m² (11,150 ft²). Currently, the sloop Mirabella
V has the largest working mainsail in the world among all
sailing ships, measuring 1557 m² (16,760 ft²). The Bluenose II
is a Canadian icon, pictured on the Canadian dime. |
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