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Those passing by Lower Bay Street over the past several months may have noticed a strange large structure behind the Old Fish Market on Browne’s Beach covered with black shade cloth. No longer a mystery the protective drapery has been removed, revealing a traditional Lunenburg schooner- rigged tall ship.
On our visit to the shipyard Project Manager, Ian Dash of the Blue Star Navigation Company announced the planned upcoming launch of Schooner RUTH.
He said that to the delight of the Lower Bay Street community the Barbadian-made ship, whose multinational Caribbean team of skilled artisans including Barbadians, Guyanese, Jamacians, Dominicans and Trinis, is nearing completion. Dash commented that the project team expects that the vessel will be pushed out from under the shade of the almond trees of the Old Fish Market early in the New Year. Dash says that the building and sailing crew look forward to seeing the domino players, sunrise swimmers, fish fryers & buyers, scuba divers, bee keepers and other keen followers of good will joining in for the historic event in Carlisle Bay. According to Dash at 100 feet on deck, Schooner RUTH may be the largest sailing vessel to be launched in Barbados in close to a century.
The vessel’s Canadian Captain Danielle Doggett stated that Schooner RUTH will set a full complement of eight white sails and the timeless gaff rig will provide up to 14 knots of speed from wind power. Doggett commented that she aspires to be sailing the coast of Barbados and beyond soon after the launch saying that the inter island schooner’s shake down crew of about 5 will be arriving on-island in January – from as far as the frigid shore of Iceland - bringing with them their traditional seafaring skills, handed down over the centuries. Working alongside the Canadian Master Rigger Mr. Sean Parsonage, the team will be hard at work bending on sails & completing the traditional tall ships’ rigging as quickly as possible. With apparent ever positive optimism Parsonage stated that they hoped to be able to participate in the 2013 Errol Barrow Day around the island schooner race.
Dash commented that the project designed by renowned American naval architect Thomas Colvin and backed by Barbadian – Canadian Investors, is intended to provide Barbados with a traditional inter-island trading schooner able to move cargo around the greater Caribbean and represent unique Barbadian brands.
She also explained that the Blue Star Navigation Company wished to extend their most heartfelt & sincere Thank You to all of those who have worked hard and provided their unceasing support for the building of this classic vessel and wishes everyone a Happy Holiday.
Bridgetown 15
December 2012
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