From the late 1920s to the late 1930s was a tough time. The Great Depression took a toll out on everyone. Stock market crashes, people lost their money, they can’t pay the bank the money they borrowed. People are desperate, unemployed men looking for jobs, leaving their towns looking for jobs but none too be found. Many Canadians ending up homeless living in the street or are desperately poor living off government assistance. With these people living a miserable life, waiting for more jobs, what better way to keep them interested and busy than having entertainment. Around this time sports and celebrities were beginning to rise. For example, Babe Ruth one of the most well known baseball players to ever live was being discovered through radio to the entire world. Hockey was being watched by many people. The Dione quintuplets, comic books, music, movies, dancing, etc. There was a lot of ways people tried to escape the harsh environment of the Great Depression. But one of the most iconic and followed pastime, was the “Bluenose”. The Bluenose was a racing ship that became one of the most known vessels in Canada and around the world. But what I didn’t quite understand about the Bluenose is why it was so iconic? What were the reasons it appeared on the dime?

The bluenose was one of the most known boats in Canada at this time. With the Bluenose being built and launched in Nova Scotia, it really grew a Canadian identity. Captain Angus Walters was the owner and builder of the bluenose and when they went on their first fishing trip, he was pleased with the way the vessel handled. They put in a full fishing season. Bluenose had fulfilled the main requirement as a prospective competitor in the International Series. The organizers of the International Fishermen’s Series were determined that the Series would not be taken over by “yachting types”. In Halifax there was an elimination race for the Nova Scotians on who would enter the Series. Bluenose was the winner of the elimination race. The following week Bluenose raced against an American Schooner and won in the final race of the Series and won the International Cup. Bluenose continued to fish and race with good success. Bluenoses next race was in Gloucester, and he raced against the Henry Ford. Bluenose won that Series. The following year in Halifax, Bluenose raced against the Columbia. Angus Walters later remarked that the Columbia was the greatest rival of the Bluenose. The Series did not reach a satisfactory conclusion. There were disagreements between the Captains of both vessels and the Race Committee. Bluenose went home to Lunenburg, Nova Scotia and the Columbia went home to Gloucester, England. The International Races did not resume until 1931. Between those years were hard for fisherman, the fish prices were low, and disastrous storms known as the August gales of 1926 and 1927. Come 1931 the series was revived. Bluenose faced against the new Gertrude L. Thebaud. Bluenose won that series. As the Great Depression began to be felt, the famous boat turned into a touring vessel. Touring off to far away ports. Bluenose went to the Chicago World’s Fair in 1933. The year after Bluenose visited Toronto. In 1935, Bluenose went to England, for the Silver Jubilee of King George V. Thousands of people were welcomed aboard the Bluenose. New Engines were then installed to enable fresh water fishing. Shortly after that the Bluenose made an appearance on the Canadian dime. The last International Fishermen’s Series took place in October of 1938. The 17 year old Bluenose raced against the 8 year old Gertrude L. Thebaud. Angus Walters and his crew sailed the Bluenose to one final victory. Bluenose crossed the finish line first and an age in history was brought to a glorious conclusion. But by 1942 Walters couldn’t afford to maintain the Canadian icon. So he sold it to the West Indies Trading Company. Bluenose began a career of freighting goods in the Caribbean. In January, 1946, Bluenose went aground on a reef near Haiti.

The Bluenose really gave a sense of Canadian identity by being the underdog in the Series. Bluenose was never defeated in an International Fishermen’s Series. I chose to make a timeline of all the historical events that happened to the Bluenose. My timeline really shows the way the vessel grew to be as big as it is. The Bluenose really intrigued me and caught my attention. I learned a lot about Canadian identity and just how the Bluenose brought entertainment, fame, and identity.

Here is my timeline