Volunteers face headwinds with Nova Scotia’s historic schooners in peril
Nova Scotia’s iconic wooden schooners, once the pride of coastal communities and a powerful symbol of the province’s maritime heritage, are now facing a serious threat of disappearing forever. Jim Carwardine, the president of the Nova Scotia Heritage Schooner Rescue Society, has issued a warning that these historic vessels, many of which are over a century old, are in desperate need of immediate attention. Without proper care, they are at risk of being lost due to a combination of factors such as aging owners, a decline in traditional boat-building skills, and a lack of financial resources.
The numbers paint a grim picture of the heritage crisis facing these wooden schooners. Only five original Tancook Island schooners remain out of a fleet that once numbered in the hundreds. These unique vessels, constructed between 1905 and 1945, represent a distinct Nova Scotian design that was originally used for fishing and coastal trade when roads were not yet connecting isolated communities.
“We’re losing not just the vessels themselves, but also the craftsmanship and knowledge that went into building them,” Carwardine emphasized. “Younger generations lack the time, experience, and resources needed to preserve these old wooden boats, which leaves the future of these schooners in jeopardy.”
Among the endangered vessels is the Wind Hawk, a 1964 schooner designed by the renowned Gerald Stevens, which is currently facing the threat of being destroyed. Another significant schooner, known as “Bluenose Junior,” built in the 1950s by William Roué, the original designer of the iconic Bluenose, has been decaying in Porters Lake for the past four decades.
Carwardine stressed that the restoration of these schooners is not just about sentimental value but also about preserving a unique engineering art and historical legacy. Unlike modern fiberglass boats, schooners were crafted using specialized wood and techniques that are now nearly extinct. The preservation of these vessels not only serves to safeguard history but also offers tangible benefits, particularly in terms of tourism.
Emma Lang, a public heritage professional based in Halifax, emphasized the importance of saving these boats as they are not only a reflection of the fishing communities they originated from but also represent a significant part of Nova Scotia’s rich history and global economic connections. She called for increased funding to ensure the preservation of this vital aspect of Nova Scotia’s heritage.
The Nova Scotia Heritage Schooner Rescue Society, a volunteer-led organization, is currently working on restoring the Elsie, a 1967 gaff-rigged schooner, at the East River Shipyard. However, the society is facing challenges in attracting younger volunteers and securing the necessary funds, given that most of its members are over 70 years old.
“We need to create a living museum, where these vessels can sail and educate future generations about our maritime history,” Carwardine emphasized. The race against time to save Nova Scotia’s wooden schooners is on, and it is vital for the community to come together to ensure that these historic vessels are preserved for generations to come.
