Lunenburg, NS

Picturesque Lunenburg lies nestled along the scenic shores of southern Nova Scotia, Lunenburg is located on the Fairhaven Peninsula at the western side of Mahone Bay and is  one hour from Halifax international airport. You just know you’re somewhere very special.  This place is a beauty with its glistening harbour, bright paint, and magnificent buildings. Lunenburg is a world-class fishing and shipbuilding port founded in 1753. Lunenburg is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation, the designation by UNESCO is based upon Lunenburg’s status as the best preserved North American example of a eighteenth century British colonial town plan. It is home to Bluenose II and birthplace of the original Bluenose.

The BLUENOSE was built in the Smith and Rhuland Shipyard in Lunenburg and launched March 26, 1921. For the next 17 years the Bluenose defeated all contenders and during this period Bluenose earned her keep and was high-liner of the Lunenburg fishing fleet on a number of occasions. In 1938, Bluenose was named the Queen of the North Atlantic. In 1942 the vessel was sold to the West Indian Trading Company and for four years carried freight in the Caribbean. On January 28, 1946, the Bluenose struck a Haitian reef and sank. BLUENOSE II was launched in the same shipyard of Smith and Rhuland and by some of the same men and launched July 24, 1963 in its home port of Lunenburg. Identical to  Bluenose in design of  hull, rigging and sail plan. Bluenose II was sold to the government of Nova Scotia for $1 in 1971 by the Oland family of Halifax, and represents Nova Scotia as a sailing good will ambassador. Bluenose II is acknowledged to  have the largest working mainsail in the world, measuring 4,150 square feet. Total sail area measures over 11,000 square feet. The masts, booms, gaffs and  deck are made of Douglas Fir. The deck hatches, skylights and structures are made of mahogany, and the hull is angelique. The top speed logged under sail is 16 knots. The image of the Bluenose has graced the Canadian dime since 1937. The Bluenose II was rebuilt in 2012 and is almost complete its rebuilt.

 

These starfish were caught right at the Lunenburg harbour and placed in an aquarium and will be released back into the harbour at the end of this month. Starfish like to feed on mussels.

 

Lunenburg Academy construction began in the fall of 1894 and proceeded smoothly until early 1895 when the Oxford Furniture Company went bankrupt. At that point, work was continued under the direction of Solomon Morash, a local master builder. The final cost of the building was $30,000.00. It was opened on November 7, 1895. The Lunenburg Academy is the only intact 19th century Academy building surviving in Nova Scotia. The Academy is entirely a wood frame structure. It is 96 x 125 feet in dimension and stands three stories high with a mansard roof.