The Bluenose II , a reproduction of the world’s most famous Nova Scotian fishing schooner, arrived in Gloucester, MA for a four day visit on July 4th. The schooner was greeted by a flotillia of vessels including the schooner Thomas E. Lannon. She boasts the largest mainsail of any vessel. Many thanks to Fred Goodwin from the Mass. Audubon Society for his photo.

Schedule of Events:

July 4th
10 a.m – Bluenose II arrives in Gloucester Harbor and greeted by a flotillia of vessels
1 p.m.- 5 p.m. Bluenose II open for public tours (no charge)

July 5th
10 a.m. ‘ 3 p.m. Open for public tours (no charge)
6 p.m.- 9 p.m. Bluenose II Party ‘ Continuous Music , Downeast stories and more. Tickets: $10/adult, $5/child, $25/family maximum. Snacks and soft drinks included. Beer, wine and food for sale. (This event is a benefit for the Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center, the Essex Shipbuilding Museum and the Schooner Adventure. Call (978) 281-0470 for tickets. Some tickets available at the door.)

July 7th
Bluenose II Youth Day. One hour programs aboard the schooner for youth groups. No charge. Call (978) 281-0470 to reserve space for your group.

History

The original Bluenose was launched in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia in 1921. Captain Angus Walters fished and raced the schooner throughout the 1920s and ’30s, during which time she competed in the International Fishermen’s series, never losing a race.

In the final competition in 1938, the 17-year-old Bluenose defeated the 8-year-oldGertrude L. Thebaud.

The Bluenose was sold to the West Indies Trading Company in 1942. In January of 1946 she went aground on a reef near Haiti, a fate met by many schooners.

The Bluenose II was built by many of the men who worked on the original vessel. She was launched in 1963 from the Smith and Rhuland Shipyard in Lunenburg, the same shipyard where the original Bluenose was launched.