The Bluenose II will soon return to the sea.
The historic vessel will be relaunched in Lunenburg on Sept. 29, a crucial step in its $15.9-million restoration. The boat had originally been scheduled to launch earlier in the summer.
“Of course we would like to have had it earlier in the summer, but what can you do? It was a disappointment,” says Lunenburg Shipyard Alliance President Peter Kinley. “The timeline is based on the tide basically. We wanted to make sure we had good water to do it. Each month you have spring tide around the full moon and new moon.”
A full moon should provide water deep enough to handle the vessel’s five-metre draught.
The relaunch comes at an opportune time. The end of September means the boat will be back in the water before the cold season and within the tourism season window of opportunity, which means a potential huge pay day for the historic town.
"This will be the biggest event in living history for most of us,” says Lunenburg Mayor Laurence Mawhinney. “Few of us remember Bluenose and few of us remember Bluenose II when it was launched."
For those who were not yet born or can’t remember 1963, photographer Mark Doucette has dozens of pictures. He says that was the biggest thing to happen to the town so far, but the September 29 relaunch could be even bigger.
"Oh, I expect you won't be able to walk, let alone drive. You are going to have to camp out if you want to get spot.”
With files from CTV Atlantic's Paul Hollingsworth
