DID YOU KNOW?

Today, North Star of Herschel Island is Canada’s only full-rigged ship. Built in 1935 for Inuvialuit trappers, the Arctic tall ship was the largest private vessel in the Western Arctic and was used to transport pelts to market and supplies to Sachs Harbour, the ship’s home port. Following a refit, North Star was used for scientific exploration in the Arctic Ocean from 1968 to 1973, and for surveying the British Columbia-Alaska boundary. Canada’s Arctic tall ship now calls the Pacific coast home, where North Star delights and educates those who wish to learn more about the ship’s place in Canadian history.To learn more, visit www.northstarofherschelisland.ca

Another full-rigged ship, Hector, brought the first wave of emigrants directly from Scotland to Nova Scotia in 1773, earning it the moniker “Canada’s Mayflower.” After more than 11 weeks at sea, the three-masted fluyt (a Dutch-designed, square-rigged cargo vessel) landed near Pictou, N.S., on September 15, 1773. The late arrival date forced Hector’s passengers—originally 189 but 18 died during travel—to quickly build shelter before winter set in. The people of the Mi'kmaq First Nations community helped the settlers, teaching them vital survival skills. Many settled close to the shore and contributed to the development of Pictou, N.S., “the birthplace of New Scotland,” where a full-sized replica of Hector is open to the public at Hector Heritage Quay.