From 2020 Ask Amy Media + 2021 Digby Area Tourism
About the Bluenose II:
The image of the Bluenose II, with its towering masts and billowing sails, is more than just a beautiful ship—it’s a symbol of Nova Scotia’s rich maritime history and Canada’s sailing heritage. This iconic schooner, a faithful replica of her legendary predecessor, continues to inspire and educate visitors from around the world.
The story of the original Bluenose is one of triumph. Launched in 1921 from the legendary Smith and Rhuland Shipyard in Lunenburg, she was a fishing vessel built for speed. Under the command of the famous Captain Angus J. Walters, she went undefeated in international racing competitions for 17 years, earning her the title “Queen of the North Atlantic fishing fleet.” Her legacy was so profound that in 1937, her image was placed on the Canadian dime, where it remains today.
Tragically, the original Bluenose sank in 1946. However, her legacy was too important to be lost. In 1963, a replica, the Bluenose II, was built from the same original plans, and by some of the same skilled craftsmen, in the very same shipyard. She was later sold to the Province of Nova Scotia for the symbolic sum of one dollar and has since served as the province’s sailing ambassador.
