Reconstruction of the Bluenose II at Lunenburg

The Bluenose II is a replica of the famous fishing schooner depicted on the Canadian dime. The original Bluenose was launched in Lunenburg in March 1921 and won sailing races throughout the 1920s and 1930s. It was sold and eventually wrecked.

Nova Scotia owns the Bluenose II, which is used to promote tourism and trade in the province.

I took this photo as the Bluenose II passed my window in the summer of 2009.

Here she sits in her berth on a typical foggy day in Lunenburg.

And I took this photo as she left the Tall Ships Festival in Halifax, to return to Lunenburg, in July 2009.

I made my way back to Lunenburg to watch her arrival.

I have just found – June 2011 – the next 2 photos taken that day at Lunenburg.

….

This was the video of her arrival that day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uggKqv12AV4&feature=related

But, it was found that the hull of the Bluenose II was warped and that massive restoration work was required, at a price tag of $15 million, paid for by both Federal and Provincial Governments.

It was felt that restoration was a better option than building a new ship.

So the Bluenose II was towed to the foundry to be deconstructed  and I watched with interest as this shed was built for the reconstruction.

A strong steel frame -

covered, to keep out the winter weather.

A visitor’s information centre was opened opposite the shed to keep the public informed of the work in progress.

But the  restoration is not without controversy. Seemingly, it is not intended to create an authentic replica of the original Bluenose and the builders will not be using the  original plans.

Also, 80% of the ship has been put through a wood chipper, leaving only the masts, sails, rigging, ironwork and railings as original.

Many people, probably the majority, feel that parts of the old Bluenose II should have been sold in the Bluenose shop and that public would have been very happy to buy a piece of history.

No one was aware of how much of the ship was going to be discarded.

And so I jump to the web cam photos of the ‘being restored’ Bluenose II inside the shed.

Not much to see is there?

For those who would like to see a bit of ‘restoration’ or ‘ship building’, here are a couple of videos.

The laying of the 2nd keel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBPS12r9R0w

And the 4th keel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5MT2wj1VP8

And later web cam photos.

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So, is this a ‘restoration’ project or a ‘new build’?

Would it not have been possible to keep the Bluenose II as a museum, either on the waterfront, or at the Academy building (whose future is also uncertain).

Please make your comments known on this post.

~ by jackiequeen on February 3, 2011.