The Garrison Graveyard at Fort Anne in Annapolis Royal, N.S

Unraveling the mystery...more

National British Home Child Day

Canada now has a British Home Child Day...more

The barbers of Saint-Hyacinthe

If there is a place of sociability at the beginning of the twentieth century, it is the barbershop where news and the latest gossip are exchanged. This photo from the CH085 Studio BJ Hébert Fund was taken in 1926. We see two barbers with their clients. Who are they?

We consulted the 1915 Saint-Hyacinthe Guide for the number of barbers in our city a little over a hundred years ago. In this guide, the population of Saint-Hyacinthe is 12,000…more

(C)2018 The Past Whispers
All Rights Reserved

 

RDV 2017 – Sydney

Located on Cape Breton Island, Sydney is the Island’s historic capital and largest urban centre. With a long history in the steel and coal mining industries, Sydney has grown to become a hotbed of culture, informed by the traditions of the area’s aboriginal people and the many immigrants who settled the city.

At the heart of Sydney’s port sits the world’s largest fiddle, which is an apt symbol for an island that loves to sing, dance and celebrate. Visitors will find no end of cultural attractions to explore, with the area being rich in Aboriginal, Acadian, Celtic and Gaelic heritage and traditions. Along with a host of music festivals, theatre, museums, parks and historic sites, Sydney also boasts many shops, restaurants, hotels and inns. And the town’s central location makes it the perfect home base to set out on day trips exploring what many believe to be one of the world’s most beautiful islands.

Ships coming to this outport:

• Bluenose II
• Bowdoin
• Lord Nelson

©2017 The Past Whispers
All Rights Reserved

RDV - 2017

Tall Ships in Halifax from July 29 to August 1st, 2017

Atyla
Alexander Von Humboldt
Blue Clipper
Bluenose II
Eagle
El Galeon
Geronimo
Gulden Leeuw
Jolie Brise
Katie Belle
Larinda
Mist of Avalon
Nadezhda
Oosterschelde
Oriole
Peter von Danzig
Regina Germania
Rona II
Spaniel
Spirit of Bermuda
Spirit of South Carolina
St Lawrence II
Tree of Life
Vahine
Wylde Swan

©2017 The Past Whispers
All Rights Reserved

RDV - 2017

HALIFAX

Tall Ships in Halifax from July 29 to August 1st, 2017


Atyla
Alexander Von Humboldt
Blue Clipper
Bluenose II
Eagle
El Galeon
Geronimo
Gulden Leeuw
Jolie Brise
Katie Belle
Larinda
Mist of Avalon
Nadezhda
Oosterschelde
Oriole
Peter von Danzig
Regina Germania
Rona II
Spaniel
Spirit of Bermuda
Spirit of South Carolina
St Lawrence II
Tree of Life
Vahine
Wylde Swan

©2017 The Past Whispers
All Rights Reserved

Rendez-Vous 2017 Tall Ships Regatta Race 3

All vessels taking part in Race 3 of the awesome Rendez-Vous 2017 Tall Ships Regatta have now left Bermuda. Following a delayed race start, the fleet crossed the start line within the 48-hour window and the impressive Tall Ships are now making their way through the beautiful warm waters of the Gulf Stream, toward Boston.

Here are the latest placings from Race 3 from Bermuda to Boston on Corrected Time:

1. Jolie Brise (UK)
2. When and If (USA)
3. Europa (The Netherlands)
4. Blue Clipper (UK)
5. Pride of Baltimore II (USA)
6. Oosterschelde (The Netherlands)
7. Gulden Leeuw (The Netherlands)
8. Atyla (Vanuatu)
9. Alexander von Humbolt II (Germany)
10. Vahine (Finland)
11. Spirit of South Carolina (USA)
12. Peter von Danzig (Germany)
13. HMCS Oriole (Canada)
14. Rona II (UK)
15. Regina Germania (Germany)
16. Spaniel (Latvia)

Note: Positions and placings are correct at time of writing. Check out YB Satellite Tracking for the latest information.

-courtesy Sail On Board

©2017 All Rights Reserved

Msit No’Kmaq Tall Ship Project

 

Are you ready for the opportunity of a lifetime?

Click graphic above

 

©2017 The Past Whispers
All Rights Reserved

A To Z Challenge 2017–W is for Tall Ship Wylde Swan

 

The hull of Wylde Swan started life as a ‘herring hunter’ in the 1920’s, working off the Shetland Islands – a ship built for speed, ferrying the fresh catch from fishing grounds to the markets ashore. The Jemo, as she was originaly called, was originally built by HDW in Kiel.

The ship was decommissioned sometime in the late 20th century and had changed ownership several times before Willem Slighting saw in her underwater shape the makings of a fast sailing ship. Her sleek underwater hull is now part of a rugged sailing ship, reminiscent of the large schooner yachts of the 1900 era.

Furthermore Wylde Swan has developed her own educational program. Masterskip Wylde Swan is an educational project that has the mission to create an inspiring and demanding environment for students. The trainees have a great time and learn a lot about science, life at sea and the subjects related to the journey. Furthermore the students learn how to cooperate and work in a challenging and active environment, and experience to maintain a positive and creative atmosphere on board.

The most prestigious award of The Tall Ships Races, Sail Training International’s Friendship Trophy, presented to the vessel who contributes most to international understanding and friendship during the Race Series, was won in 2011 by Dutch vessel Wylde Swan. 

Wylde Swan’s international crew is becoming very familiar with Sail Training International’s prize giving stage as they also won first in Class A for Race Three as well as first in Class A for the entire Race Series. Their winning streak began in Lerwick when they picked-up an award for making the most impact during Cruise-in-Company before going on to win Race Two from Lerwick to Stavanger both in class and on the water. 

The Friendship Trophy was accepted in what has become recognized as true Wylde Swan spirit, singing and dancing all of the way.

 

Class: A

Nationality: Netherlands

Length: 40.90 m

Height: 36.27 m

Rig: Brigantine

Year built: 1920

Home port: Makkhum, Netherlands

 

©2017 The Past Whispers
All Rights Reserved

A To Z Challenge 2017–V is for Tall Ship Vahine

SY Vahine, Nautors Swan 65, is planned by Sparkman & Stevens and is called the most legendary Nautors Swan construction. The legend was created when Sauyula II, won the Whitbread 'around the world' race. The following year 4 Nautors Swan 65 boats were among the five fastest in the race. She is still a very fast boat especially in hard weather, in calmer weather Vahine is too heavy to be among the fastest boats
Vahine (Tahitian for woman) sails with 9 trainees, one mentor and 2 staff. The trainees will sleep in 5 cabins.
Class: C
Nationality: Finland
Length: 19.68 m
Height: 24.28 m
Rig: Bm Ketch
Year built: 1972
Home port: Helsinki
 
©2017 The Past Whispers
All Rights Reserved

A To Z Challenge 2017–U is for Tall Ship USCGC Eagle

USCGC Eagle is the sixth U.S. Coast Guard cutter to bear the name in a proud line dating back to 1792. The ship was built in 1936 by the Blohm and Voss Shipyard in Hamburg, Germany, and commissioned as Horst Wessel. (Five identical sister ships were also built.)

Originally operated by Nazi Germany to train cadets for the German Navy, the ship was taken by the United States as a war prize after World War II. In 1946, a U.S. Coast Guard crew - aided by the German crew still on board - sailed the tall ship from Bremerhaven to its new homeport in New London, Connecticut. Eagle returned to Bremerhaven for the first time since World War II in the summer of 2005, to an enthusiastic welcome.

Built during the twilight era of sail, the design and construction of Eagle embody centuries of development in the shipbuilder's art. The hull is steel four-tenths of an inch thick. There are two full-length steel decks with a platform deck below. The raised forecastle and quarterdeck are made of three-inch thick teak over steel, as are the weather decks.

Eagle offers future officers the opportunity to put into practice the navigation, engineering, and other professional theory they have previously learned in the classroom. Upper class trainees exercise leadership and service duties normally handled by junior officers, while underclass trainees fill crew positions of a junior enlisted person, such as helm watches at the huge wooden wheels used to steer the vessel. Everyone who trains on Eagle experiences a character building experience.

On the decks and in the rigging of Eagle, young men and women get a taste of salt air and life at sea and they are tested and challenged, often to the limits of endurance. Working aloft, they meet fear and learn to overcome it. The experience builds character and helps future officers develop skills of leadership and teamwork that prove valuable assets throughout their careers.

Class: Military boat

Length: 89.70m

Rig: Barque 3

Year built: 1936

Home Port: New London, Connecticut (United States)

©2017 The Past Whispers
All Rights Reserved

A To Z Challenge 2017–T is for Tall Ship TS Playfair

 
Toronto Brigantine Inc. operates two brigantines, the sail-training vessels Pathfinder and Playfair. They were both designed and built as sail training vessels for TBI by Francis A. McLachlan in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

Playfair was built for Toronto Brigantine Inc. as a sail training vessel. She was commissioned by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1973, and remains the only Canadian ship to be commissioned by a reigning monarch.




Class: A
Nationality: Canada
Length: 18.23 m
Rig: Brigantine
Year built: 1973
Home port: Toronto

 
©2017 The Past Whispers
All Rights Reserved

A to Z April Challenge 2017–S is for Tall Ship St. Lawrence II

 

“St. Lawrence II” was designed in 1952 by Francis MacLachlan and Mike Eames expressly for youth sail training. Gord Workman and Grant MacLachlan were also key figures in the development and initial fund raising of what is today the longest running youth sail training organization in the world.

The hull was built at Kingston Shipyards in 1953 and she was finished by local craftsmen, the Kingston Sea Cadets, and enthusiastic amateurs, many donating their time. Originally attached to the “Royal Canadian Sea Cadets Corps St. Lawrence”, her program was soon opened to other youth groups and now any teen, 13 to 18 years of age, can apply to join her crew for a summer training cruise.

In almost half a century afloat, the “St. Lawrence II” has shown her flag from Lake Huron to the north-east Atlantic seaboard, proudly representing Kingston and Canada in a number of exciting Tall Ship gatherings and special maritime events.

Brigantine Inc. is committed to developing character through the adventure af tall ship sailing, and nurturing a sense of responsibility in all youths who serve on the decks of the “St. Lawrence II”.

Class: A

Nationality: Canada

Length: 18.18 m

Height: 16.46 m

Rig: Brigantine

Year built: 1953

Home port: Kingston, Ontario

 

©2017 The Past Whispers
All Rights Reserved

A To Z Challenge 2017–R is for Tall Ship Roter Sand

 

The Roter Sand is a sailing ship designed for teaching. Since the very beginning, it has been used to train sailors of all ages. Even its construction, from 1995 to 1999, was an opportunity for students specializing in carpentry, welding, engineering, architecture and mechanics to pool their talents, under the supervision of authorities at the Aucoop shipyard in Bremen-Vegesak, Germany. It was then used as a teaching and research vessel in the North Sea and the Wadden Sea, and later for leadership training on the Elbe.

A non-profit organization, EcoMaris, brought the Roter Sand to Québec on 6 July 2012, as the first environmentally-oriented training ship in Québec. The goal of the Roter Sand is to give Canadians renewed access to the St Lawrence, restore the bonds between individuals and the environment and help rebuild Québec’s maritime culture. Hundreds of budding sailors of all ages will explore the environment of the St Lawrence as they learn to navigate its challenging waters!

Class: B

Nationality: Canada

Length: 19.90 m

Rig: Gaff Ketch

Year built: 1999

Home port: Rimouski

 

©2017 The Past Whispers
All Rights Reserved

A To Z Challenge 2017 – O is for Tall Ship Oosterschelde

 

Oosterschelde was built in the Netherlands in 1918 at the order of the Rotterdam shipping company HAAS and is the last remaining representative of the large fleet of schooners that sailed under the Dutch flag at the beginning of the 20th century. Her name is derived from the eastern part of the Schelde river that flows from France through Belgium and the Netherlands to the sea and Oosterschelde is the largest restored Dutch sailing ship, which is a monument for Dutch shipbuilding and maritime navigation under sail.

As a freighter Oosterschelde carried some hundred tons of cargo including bricks, herring and bananas. In 1921, the ship was sold, changing hands three times and converted to a motor-sailer before being bought in 1988 and restored to her former glory.

The Rotterdam Sailing Ship Foundation was instituted to support restoration through fund raising and began work in 1990. The ship was officially launched in 1992 by Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet.

In 2000, Oosterschelde raced from Boston to Amsterdam in the Tall Ships 2000 race.

Class: A

Nationality: Netherlands

Length: 40.12 m

Height: 31.09 m

Rig: Topsail Schooner 3

Year built: 1918

Home port: Rotterdam

Rendez – Vous 2017

 

©2017 The Past Whispers
All Rights Reserved

A To Z Challenge 2017–M is for Tall Ship Mist of Avalon

 

The ship began her life in 1967 as the Motor Vessel “Liverpool Bay”. She was built by the strong native timber and the skilled hands of the shipwrights of MacLean Shipbuilding, Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada. Her Captain and crew worked the Banks off Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, fishing for thecod that were her reason for being. After twenty years working in the harsh environment of the North Atlantic, with fish stocks declining and her machinery and equipment well past their prime, in 1987 this once proud vessel was left abandoned at a Halifax pier. Another five years of neglect added to her decline, but under the layers of paint and algae, behind the rotting timber and planks, was a gracious schooner hull waiting to return to sea.

In December 1992 began the ship’s new life as “Mist of Avalon”, named for the mystic Celtic island of re-birth. The Ship was purchased, hauled out, hull scraped and anti fouled.In July 1993, she was ready to leave Nova Scotia for her new home port at Holidays Afloat Marina in Ivy Lea, Ontario, Canada. Here, work continued on the conversion from motor vessel to a fully rigged sailing vessel in the tradition of the late 19th century Grand Banks schooners.

Class: B

Nationality: Canada

Length: 22.08 m

Rig: Gaff Schooner 2

Year of built: 1967

Home port: Ivy Lea, Ontario

 

©2017 The Past Whispers
All Rights Reserved

A To Z Challenge 2017–L is for Tall Ship Lord Nelson

 

Owned by the Jubilee Sailing Trust, LORD NELSON, named after the famous British Admiral is the first of their two vessels, both of which are the only tall ships in the world that have been purpose designed and built to enable able-bodied and physically disabled people to sail side by side and share the adventure and experience of tall ship sailing as equals.

The Trust commissioned Colin Mudie to design their first sailing ship in which physically disabled people comprised half the crew. Requirements included wheelchair access throughout the ship, light hauling loads on the ropes and better than usual protection against the cold and wet.

 

The three masted square-rigged, LORD NELSON was the result. Her many special facilities enable disabled crewmembers to take an active part in the running of the ship. These facilities include wide decks for wheelchair users, a speaking compass to enable blind people to helm the ship, power assisted hydraulic steering for those with limited strength and much more. Overall, LORD NELSON has been designed to the needs of most disabilities and is capable of sailing in any sea around the world.

The Jubilee Sailing Trust has been in operation for over three decades and in that time has taken over 30,000 people to sea including 12,000 people with physical disabilities and 5,000 wheelchair users.

Lord Nelson along with the JST’s other ship TENACIOUS are regular participants in the Tall Ships Races.

Class: A

Nationality: United Kingdom

Length: 40.20 m

Height: 33.60 m

Rig: Barque 3

Year built: 1985

Home port: Southampton, United Kingdom

 

©2017 The Past Whispers
All Rights Reserved

A To Z April Challenge 2017 – K is for Knot

 

 

Knot - 1. a unit of wind or sailing speed, one knot=6,076 feet per hour, one nautical mile per hour. 10 knots is equivalent to 11.5 mph and 18 kilometers per hour (kph). (Note: The expression "knots per hour" is incorrect since that would be redundant and describe acceleration not speed; knots per hour per hour.)  

2. In general, all complications tied in cordage where one line or part of a line passes over or around and/or through another, except accidental ones, such as tangles, snarls and kinks, and complications adapted to storage, such as coils, hanks, skeins, balls, etc. In a narrower sense, knots do not include bends, hitches, splices, and sinnetts. In the narrowest sense, only knobs, intended to stop fraying or unreeving of a line or add a handhold, are knots. 

• Bowline. The bowline almost defines sailing because of its versatility, usefulness, and strength. ...
• Round Turn and Two Half Hitches. ...
• Cleat Hitch. this knot has one and only purpose but that is a mighty one; Securing a line to a cleat. ...
• Rolling Hitch
• Sheet Bend
• Square Knot
• Figure Eight
• Trucker's Hitch

 

©2017 The Past Whispers
All Rights Reserved

Oh Canada! 150 Years of Confederation

 

January 1, 1947

Under Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King, the Canadian Citizenship Act becomes law. Now all residents can have Canadian citizenship, whether they were born in Canada or elsewhere.

To learn more:

Library and Archives Canada

• Watch Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King becoming the 1st Canadian citizen during the 1st citizenship ceremony in January 3, 1947.
• Consult citizenship and naturalization records
• Listen to the podcast “Yousuf Karsh: Pursuing Greatness”
• Read “A Real Companion and Friend: The Diary of William Lyon Mackenzie King”

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

• Consult the Canadian Citizenship Act of 1947

Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21

• Canadian Citizenship Act, 1947

 

courtesy Library & Archives canada

 

©2017 Linda Sullivan – Simpson
The Past Whispers
All Rights Reserved

La chasse-galerie – a tale of Christmas

 

Back in the late 19th century, many French-Canadian men spent long winters in remote logging camps to support their families back in the cities and towns. In those days before modern travels, coming back every week or even month for a visit was out of the question. So the men would spend the whole season, including the holidays, far from their loved ones.

One Christmas (or New Year’s) Eve, a group of such men in a lonely camp were feeling homesick and wanted to spend the réveillon with their wives and girlfriends. So they made a deal with the devil: the Prince of Darkness would make their canoe fly over the forests and hills so they could go back to their homes for the night. Old Scratch gave three conditions to respect: they could not swear, they could not touch a church steeple with their canoe while in flight, and they had to be back at camp before 6 o’clock in the morning. If they broke any one of those rules, their souls would be damned to hell forever. Despite the risk, the homesick men agreed and off they flew!

The reunion with their beloveds are joyous indeed and they spend the night drinking and dancing. When they realize the late hour, they hurry back to the canoe to get back to camp before the devilish deadline. Of course, in their inebriated states they are much more prone to swearing or accidentally ramming the craft into a church. And one of them invariably begins to get agitated and comes close to swearing, so his panicked companions gag and tie him up, but he eventually breaks free and swears. The canoe crashes into a tall tree and the passengers are knocked out when they hit the ground.

In the most famous version, by Honoré-Beaugrand, the men wake up the next morning and never speak of the adventure again. However, in other versions they are doomed to fly forever across the sky, their souls never getting to their eternal rest. And they say if you look out on Christmas or New Year’s Eve, you can sometimes get a glimpse of the bewitched canoe.

While a deal with the devil might be an odd choice of theme for a Christmas story, it’s really indicative of the loneliness that develops when hardworking and honest men are forced to spend the holidays on their own, far from their kin.

While the most famous element of the chasse-galerie, the flying canoe, came about in 19th century Québec, it’s actually a newer version of an even older story from France. It is told that a nobleman named the Sieur de Galerie was such an avid hunter that he even skipped church in order to enjoy his favourite sport. The Lord did not take kindly to this and condemned his soul to forever run across the sky pursued by celestial hunters and wolves.

 

©2016 Linda Sullivan-Simpson
The Past Whispers
All Rights Reserved