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About the Clipper Ship, "Marco Polo" (1851-1883) :

Dec 28, 2020

Marco Polo was a three-masted wooden clipper ship, launched in 1851 at Saint John, New Brunswick. She was named after Venetian traveler Marco Polo. The ship carried emigrants and passengers to Australia, and was the first vessel to make the round trip from Liverpool in under 6 months. Later on, she was used as a cargo ship. Its initial owner and builder was James Smith. In 1883 she was run aground off Cavendish, Prince Edward Island, Canada.

Statistical information about the ship:

Sail Plan: Square-Rigged with roller reefing Tops'ls.

Length : 184 feet, 1 inch (56.11m)

Beam: 36 feet, 3 inch (11.05 m)

Depth of Hold: 30 feet (9.1m)

Type: Medium Clipper

Tonnage: 1,625 GRT

Draught: 29 feet, 4 inch (8.94 m)

Decks: 3 decks with 8 feet between each (2.4m)

Note: Reduced to Barque in 1874.

About the Schooner Tall Ship, "Bluenose II":

Dec 28, 2020

This acrylic painting features Bluenose II, Nova Scotia's ambassador ship. It's owned and operated by the Lunenburg Marine Museum Society on behalf of the Province of Nova Scotia.

Bluenose II was launched in 1963, and sailed by Captain Walters for her maiden voyage. The ship was gifted to the Government of Nova Scotia in 1971. Bluenose II sails out of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, and visits ports throughout the province and North America.  


About the Riverboat Steamer, "David Weston" (1866-1903): 

Dec 28, 2020

The vessel David Weston was built by John Retallick of Saint John for the Union Line Steamship Company. It entered service in 1866 and last voyaged in 1903.  Built in Carleton (West Saint John), she was 552 tons (by weight) and was the third largest steamer to travel the St. John River. The vessel was named for her captain.  Her speed was 17 miles per hour. Her passenger accommodations were somewhat luxurious as well. She had marble-topped tables, plush chairs, a circular staircase and a dining saloon that seated 90 passengers per sitting. The David Weston carried upwards of 200 passengers on her regular runs, and several hundred on special occasions.  In 1866, the vessel began service between Indiantown, now part of Saint John, and Fredericton, and would serve until its destruction by fire in 1903.

Stay tuned for more blog entries to come...

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