It’s the final push to what should be a spectacular sight on the Pictou waterfront this summer.
Wes Surrett is chair of the Ship Hector Society, and he tells us they are making gains in the Charting Our Course campaign to get Ship Hector back into the water.
“So, we have raised about $1.8 million to date from private sponsors, community, large corporate community, everything that’s got the ship to the point where it is today,” says Surrett.
With the help of the government, a total of $6.2 million has been raised with about $1.7 million to go.
“We’re pretty positive. We feel good. We’ve got some great partners, but we could use every little bit that we can get,” says Surrett.
The goal is a side launch of the transformed ship into a fully rigged, operational 18th-century sailing vessel that will offer sail training and tours.
Surrett says, 60 people will be able to tour at a time.
“We were planning on a lot of special events. So, maybe a wedding aboard the Ship Hector as well,” adds Surrett.
History
The history of Ship Hector dates back to 1773.
It arrived in Pictou Harbour with 171 Scottish immigrants on board.
Surrett says it really is a story of resilience considering the hurricanes and storms they made it through on an old wooden vessel, as well as the process of getting integrated into the culture here once they arrived.
“That story has been important here over time and over the decades and the 50-year celebrations and the 100-year celebrations,” adds Surrett.
A replica was built in the 1990’s and was launched in 2000 to a large audience of about 10,000.
Fast forward 25years later, the ship was in rough shape with a lot of rot.
“So, this small group of volunteers got together and took over the site and operations and kicked off this…the ship was in pretty rough shape at that time,” says Surrett.
Photo: Ship Hector Society
The Big Splash
Ship Hector is being completely refurbished and is expected to have a traditional launch this summer.
“It’s quite a sight to see this. The tall ship kind of side launch, sliding down and splashing into the water. So, we’re calling it The Big Splash,” says Surrett.
He adds, it’s been a lot of work for a small group of volunteers over what feels like a lot of years.
As for what to expect on the day of the launch, Surrett says it’s going to be a unique event.
“There’s pipe bands coming in from all over. Our partners at the Pictou Landing First Nation have some great, great workshops and performers are lined up as well,” says Surrett.
“We’re just praying it goes like it did the first time and lands in the water and everything is good. It should be a great day. A great sight.”
