The Bluenose

The Bluenose was a schooner designed by William J. Roue to be both a champion racer and commercial fishing vessel, and was launched at Lunenberg, Nova Scotia, in 1921. It won the International Fisherman's Trophy five times as the fastest working vessel and landed the largest catch ever at its homeport of Lunenberg. The writer, Thomas Chandler Haliburton (1796-1865), started calling Nova Scotians “bluenoses.” The ship's successes in the 19th century reflected the pride of this sea-faring province, making the Bluenose its most beloved symbol. In 1929, the schooner's achievements were commemorated on a stamp. The Post Office was the first government agency to honour the Bluenose, but another image of the ship on the Canadian dime is more renowned. Designed by the famed Canadian sculptor Emmanuel Hahn, the Bluenose has appeared on this coin since 1937. Despite its successes, the Bluenose's fate was tragic. Sold in 1942, it sailed out of Canadian waters to carry cargo in the Caribbean until it sank off Haiti four years later. An exact replica, Bluenose II, was launched in 1964 and was a star attraction at Expo 67.

Andrew Horrall

Date created: 2008-08-19
Last updated: 2008-08-20