Model Ship Building DVD

The Bluenose’s Background for Model Ship Builders

Bluenose model is an all-time favorite for hobbyists and enthusiasts. The real ship was originally intended as fishing and racing schooner, and was created in Nova Scotia. William Roué designed it and it was created by Smith and Rhuland. Bluenose was offered to the public on the 26^th of March, 1921 in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. Bluenose can be considered very magnanimous during its time and can be called as a vessel larger than life.

Its sail plan has eight major parts and total sail area is 1036 square meters. It has a waterline and overall length of 34 and 49 meters respectively. The masts are almost as long as its waterline length while its main boom is 25 meters. The masts, decks, and booms were made from Douglas fir, while most of its structure is made from mahogany. Hulls were constructed using red oak and galvanized iron fastenings, while sail cloths were made from Dacron. The engine is a twin caterpillar diesel operating at 250 horse power and cruises at 8 knots. Bluenose boarded 5 officers, a chief cook, and 12 deckhands.

The racing career of Bluenose started in the America’s Cup. In 1921, Bluenose was launched and after a season of fishing in the Grand Banks, Bluenose was made as a contender in America’s Cup. That year, Bluenose won over the schooner Elsie from Massachusetts and the trophy was brought back to Nova Scotia. Since then, Bluenose won several racing contests and beat American schooners Henry Ford, Columbia, and The Baud. It also won over Canadian schooners who tried to surpass Bluenose. For 17 years, Bluenose peaked on its career as a racing schooner and as a fishing vessel.

In 1939, Bluenose was tied in Lunenburg with no work and soon to be auctioned. Some had campaigned that the Canadian government should take over Bluenose and preserve it as a national institution. Captain Angus Walter even tried to buy Bluenose for $7000 to save his ship. But in the end, Bluenose was still auctioned to West Indies as a freighter.

In 1963, Bluenose II was built in Lunenburg, using the original plan of Bluenose and some of its original workers. It aims as a promotional yacht and was acquired by Nova Scotia as their goodwill ambassador. It serves as a tourist attraction and sailed in the entire Nova Scotia. It also sailed among different ports but did not officially race in any contest to pay homage to its predecessor.

Nowadays, Bluenose continues to serve as a symbol of Nova Scotia and as a Canadian icon. In 1955, Bluenose and its original captain Angus Walters were inducted in the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame. Bluenose was also portrayed in Canadian postage stamps and dimes. During 2010, Nova Scotia awarded a contract to restore and rebuild Bluenose II to a consortium of Nova Scotia shipyards.

Because of its artistic and historic value, toy ships and Bluenose model serve as a modern-day remembrance and will continue to play an important part for every hobbyists and enthusiasts.