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This past weekend was truly an inspiring one for this carver, as the weekend celebrated a visit to our fair city by 8 "Tall Ships". The weekend was billed as a Festival of Tall Ships, and celebrated not only the visit of the ships, but of our own history of the age of sail. Several of the sailing ships were dear to my heart, because they were built of wood in the traditional methods. Like : The Pride of Baltimore II (topsail schooner, replica privateer), Lynx (Topsail schooner, replica privateer) and Peacemaker (barquentine, privately owned). One of our Navy's minesweepers/coastal patrol ships escorted them in, much to my pleasure as a former naval person myself.
The weekend was a smashing success for all involved, ships well attended and toured and the huge crowd was very pleased with the event. The ships sailed in the river on Friday afternoon in a parade of sail, arriving just as some rain clouds arrived, but they did not dampen the spirits of anyone. Saturday and Sunday they were open to the public to tour and many special events were held as well. We even had a troup of pirate reinactors join us for the weekend, as well as plenty of local music, dancing and entertainment.
I was slightly involved, honoured with the task of offering lectures before and during the visit, on the Building of Wooden Sailing Ships, at the interpative center for the shipbuilding historic site at Beaubears Island. The talks were well attended and I was fortunate to have on display a selection of my work, sailing ship models, half models and relief carvings. The center hosted a lunch for the Captains of all the ships on Saturday, with a tour of the Island and the center. My wife and I were invited and attended and the captains in true sailor fashion, were very taken by my humble efforts, and their attention and praise was somewhat embarrassing. I ended up giving each captain a small token of welcome, in the form of a "burning" of their vessel or in some cases, a historic vessel of our area, their choice. They were "tickled pink" by the burnings, and in return, my wife and I had VIP tours of each of their ships, guided in most cases, by the captains themselves. HMCS Summerside, the visiting Navy ship, was a personal favorite and our welcome aboard her will stay in my memory forever. They don't forget old shipmates, ever.
I got plenty of pictures and inspiration for a few years to come, for subjects to build models of or half models, reliefs or burnings!!! I'll attach a few for your pleasure.
Just had to share this excitement with you. I'll be high on ships for a while!
Bob
The weekend was a smashing success for all involved, ships well attended and toured and the huge crowd was very pleased with the event. The ships sailed in the river on Friday afternoon in a parade of sail, arriving just as some rain clouds arrived, but they did not dampen the spirits of anyone. Saturday and Sunday they were open to the public to tour and many special events were held as well. We even had a troup of pirate reinactors join us for the weekend, as well as plenty of local music, dancing and entertainment.
I was slightly involved, honoured with the task of offering lectures before and during the visit, on the Building of Wooden Sailing Ships, at the interpative center for the shipbuilding historic site at Beaubears Island. The talks were well attended and I was fortunate to have on display a selection of my work, sailing ship models, half models and relief carvings. The center hosted a lunch for the Captains of all the ships on Saturday, with a tour of the Island and the center. My wife and I were invited and attended and the captains in true sailor fashion, were very taken by my humble efforts, and their attention and praise was somewhat embarrassing. I ended up giving each captain a small token of welcome, in the form of a "burning" of their vessel or in some cases, a historic vessel of our area, their choice. They were "tickled pink" by the burnings, and in return, my wife and I had VIP tours of each of their ships, guided in most cases, by the captains themselves. HMCS Summerside, the visiting Navy ship, was a personal favorite and our welcome aboard her will stay in my memory forever. They don't forget old shipmates, ever.
I got plenty of pictures and inspiration for a few years to come, for subjects to build models of or half models, reliefs or burnings!!! I'll attach a few for your pleasure.
Just had to share this excitement with you. I'll be high on ships for a while!
Bob
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