In 1921, Halifax naval architect William James Roué designed a schooner that could work the Grand Banks and also be “the fastest fishing schooner on the water,” according to his commission. And the Bluenose was born, ably fulfilling both demands as she dominated the International Fishermen’s Trophy races from 1920 to 1938.
And, of course, she graces the Canadian dime.
Eighty-five years later the designer’s great-granddaughter, Joan Roué, is mounting a campaign to build the Bluenose III. Part of the reason for the enterprise is that the Bluenose II, built in 1963, is old and wearing out.
But for Roué, based in Dartmouth, the reason is obviously personal. “I’ve always been a local history nut — and nothing speaks better to local history than Bluenose,” she said. “Besides that, we don’t want to see the day come when we, as Canadians, will be without a Bluenose — even temporarily. It’s not only a provincial and national icon, but also one of the world’s most recognizable symbols. Since Bluenose II is 43 years old, and a wooden vessel, that day could come — unless there is a plan in place to make sure it does not happen. Apart from all of that, I want to aid in the educational process as it relates to this piece of Canadiana–hence our commitment to use history as our guide whenever possible.”
She also owns the intellectual properties — including construction rights — for the plans and design of Bluenose, Bluenose II, and subsequent replicas.
Roué has set what she calls a “realistic four-year plan. This year marks the beginning of the fundraising campaign to bring in the necessary $15 million. Next year she plans to gather the people and materials for construction. The schooner’s keel is to be laid on July 1, Canada Day, 2008, and the projected launch date is July 24, 2010.
Although the Smith & Rhuland shipyard in Lunenburg, where the original Bluenose was built, closed in 2005 (WWF May 2005), Roué plans to have the new namesake built there.
“The yard is closed, but we know there are still craftsman, etc., able to carry their trade to the site — and there is interest in the town to see the construction happen there,” she said. “What the site is to be after we launch Bluenose III will ultimately determine what it is when we build Bluenose III — assuming we are successful in our desire to build her there.”
Roué added that she hopes her organization, the Schooner Bluenose Trading Company Inc., will be joined by the Province of Nova Scotia in a partnership.
“We expect a positive response from the Province, especially in consideration of the obvious substantial educational and economic benefits this project offers the province and its people, both during the construction and beyond,” she said.
Roué talked a bit about the original Bluenose beating almost every schooner that the fishermen of Gloucester sent out to meet her and added, “We’re seriously considering the reprise of an International Fishermen’s Trophy event — and if it is a go, tentatively planned to start Oct. 22, 2011 — 90 years to the day after Bluenose competed in, and won, her first International Fishermen’s Trophy race.”
Now, if Gloucester can come up with a new Gerturde L. Thebaud …