Thousands of Nova Scotians and visitors from across Canada were on hand this morning for the relaunch of the famed schooner Bluenose ll.
Premier Darrell Dexter was among the crowd gathered along the Lunenburg waterfront to watch the 43-metre vessel begin its slow descent into the harbour.
Nova Scotia’s sailing ambassador has undergone a two-year, $15.9-million restoration, with Ottawa covering $4.9-million of the cost and the province paying the rest.
The schooner’s entire hull and much of its Douglas fir deck have been replaced.
The vessel’s two masts, canvas sails and rigging will be installed in the coming months.
The Bluenose II, launched in 1963, is a replica of the original Bluenose, a Grand Banks fishing schooner that won worldwide acclaim for its graceful lines and flat-out speed.
The schooner Bluenose II moves into the water during her launch in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, September 29, 2012. The 49-year-old schooner has just completed a two-year restoration. (Paul Darrow/Reuters)
The schooner Bluenose II moves into the water during her launch in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, September 29, 2012. The 49-year-old schooner has just completed a two-year restoration. (Paul Darrow/Reuters)
The Bridgewater Fire Department band plays as the schooner Bluenose II moves into the water during her launch in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, September 29, 2012. The 49-year-old schooner has just completed a two-year restoration. (Paul Darrow/Reuters)
Charles Tanner, 92, attends the launching of the schooner Bluenose II in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, September 29, 2012. Mr. Tanner served on the crew of the original Bluenose in 1931. (Paul Darrow/Reuters)
People line the docks to watch the schooner Bluenose II launch in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, September 29, 2012. The 49-year-old schooner has just completed a two-year restoration. (Paul Darrow/Reuters)
The schooner Bluenose II moves into the water during her launch in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, September 29, 2012. The 49-year-old schooner has just completed a two-year restoration. (Paul Darrow/Reuters)
The schooner Bluenose II moves into the water during her launch in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, September 29, 2012. The 49-year-old schooner has just completed a two-year restoration. (Paul Darrow/Reuters)
Bluenose II, Nova Scotia's
sailing icon, returns to the water in Lunenburg, N.S., after an extensive refit,
on Saturday, September 29, 2012. (Andrew Vaughan/The Canadian Press)
Bluenose II, Nova Scotia's
sailing icon, returns to the water in Lunenburg, N.S., after an extensive refit,
on Saturday, September 29, 2012. (Andrew Vaughan/The Canadian Press)
to get it and come back to see the ad in front of this gallery.
