Hebridee II Rechristening and Relaunching

After being relaunched about a week ago, and spending several days alongside in front of the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic this week having her masts and rigging fitted, Hebridee II returned to the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Club for her rechristening and relaunching ceremony on the evening of Friday, July 14, 2017. I had expected to miss this event due to some business travel to Ottawa, especially considering my flight arrived 20 minutes late, but my taxi driver somehow delivered me to RNSYS with just minutes to spare. 

Hebridee II on the launchway when I arrived.

General Manager of the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, Kim Reinhardt, began the proceedings.

Commodore David Stanfield of RNSYS.

Commodore David Stanfield of RNSYS.

General Manager of the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, Kim Reinhardt.

Grandchildren of a previous owner of Hebridee II were present for the blessing.

Grandchildren of a previous owner of Hebridee II were present for the blessing.

One of the grandsons did the honours with a bottle of champagne for the rechristening.

Shortly after the rechristening was complete, builder Eamonn Doorly and his team of volunteer workers all boarded Hebridee II for the trip down the launchway.

The ladder is removed, and Hebridee II is lowered down the ways.

Launching of Hebridee II.

Feet wet!

Launching of Hebridee II.

Launching of Hebridee II.

The instant Hebridee II floated off her cradle.

Once more in her native element.

Hebridee II backs out of her cradle under her own power.

After launching, Hebridee II headed for her former berth in front of the RNSYS clubhouse.

Hebridee II coming alongside.

Hebridee II coming alongside.

Hebridee II will return to the Halifax waterfront soon, and Eamonn will hopefully soon begin sailing trials.

Hebridee II - Back in the Water

After an 8 year rebuild in the waterfront boat shed at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, Hebridee II is finally back in her native element. The Bluenose Jr. class schooner was originally built in 1953, and took to the water again this morning. 

Rolled out of her builder's shed, and turned 90 degrees, Hebridee II is seen on July 6 ready to be put on the back of a truck for the trip to the Royal Nova Scotian Yacht Squadron.

Launched at RNSYS, her builder Eamonn Doorly brought her back to the waterfront under her own power on July 7th and tied up opposite HMCS SACKVILLE in the same camber. 

Hebridee II lying alongside in front of the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.

Without her masts and various other bits, she is riding a bit high in the bow at the moment. Eamonn plans to step the masts early next week.

I took this shot from the deck of SACKVILLE in order to get a slightly higher perspective.

Instead of the more traditional marine diesel engine, Hebridee II now has an electric motor for auxiliary power. While this is a greener powerplant and better for the environment, this system also has the more immediate benefits of being quieter and having fewer thru-hull penetrations, and also means you aren't subjected to the smell of diesel fumes below decks.

Eamonn assures me the topsides were scratched by trees during her road trip and require touch up, but everything looks pristine to me.

I will try to update this post with more photos next week as the masts go up.

Personally, I can hardly wait to see her under sail on the waters of Halifax Harbour this summer.

Bluenose II - First Arrival in Halifax

After an extensive rebuild (e.g. complete reconstruction to new plans), Bluenose II made her first port call to Halifax late this afternoon, and tied up at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.

Bluenose II passing the light on George's Island.

Though her sails were up, they were slack and the engine was running.

Bluenose II dropping her mainsail.

Bluenose II tying up alongside the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.

Maritime Museum of the Atlantic's Chester C class Whim went out to welcome Bluenose II and escort her back to the museum.