Fishermen have always been proud of the superiority of their craft.
Since the middle of the 19th century, owners of fishing schooners have engaged in keen rivalry to prove their mettle by racing for the Thomas Lipton trophy. Over the years, this contest turned into a Canadian-American rivalry.
The
Bluenose, of Halifax, carried a sailors' nickname for the men and boats hailing from Nova Scotia. She was the outstanding champion on the Canadian side.
In 1923, the
Bluenose raced with the
Columbia, a fishing schooner out of Gloucester, Mass. The contest ended in a dispute because the Canadian schooner finished first, but was disqualified for fouling the
Columbia and then for cutting inside a buoy. The
Columbia was awarded the victory. The
Bluenose came back to demonstrate her prowess in subsequent years and became the pride of all Canadians.
The schooner
Bluenose was built in Nova Scotia in 1921 to fish the rough waters off the coast
of Newfoundland. A salt banker type, she stayed out until her holds were full of fish, using salt to
preserve her catch. During prohibition, she was used as a rum runner. The
Bluenose was lost off
Haiti in 1946.
Bluenose Links:
The Bluenose II Webpage.
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