Nova Scotia has always needed Bluenose as a symbol of a cultureof enterprise and self-sufficiency, and as a monument to theheroic and often tragic Grand Banks fishing past. And so it waswith great fanfare that on a misty September Saturday in 2012,the “restored” new hull of Bluenose II inched safely and slowly intoa friendly Lunenburg harbour. As the water rose over the massiverolling platform that carried her down, she gradually came afloatfor the first time, fair on her lines, high and proud. Nova Scotianow has a virtually new Bluenose, fashioned as closely to thegenetic code of Bluenose II as possible, just as Bluenose II replicatedthe original, everywhere except below decks.Forever Bluenose charts the storied history of Nova Scotia’s famousschooner—its fishing and racing days in the early twentiethcentury, its rebirth, first as a promoter of beer and later as atourist attraction, as the Bluenose II, and its careful restorationin the twenty-first century. Includes over 50 photographs of therestoration process as well as the vessel’s commercial and racingheyday.

Ron is a journalist and a retired television producer and executive. He worked with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation for more than thirty years. Ron grew up in Heart’s Delight, NL, and graduated from Memorial University of Newfoundland and Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto. He lives in Glen Haven, NS, with Sheila Fitzpatrick and their son Robin. When not reading or writing about boats, Ron sails his Contessa 32, Fifth of July, out of French Village Harbour.

Ron Crocker's profile page

Forever Bluenose: A Future for a Schooner with a Past is an attractive coffee table book in spite of its unwieldy title, particularly as it contrasts to the gracefulness of the ships it so eloquently captures.Written by Ron Crocker, a former CBC regional director, with photographs by Mark Doucette of Halifax, the book documents the $16 million restoration of the Bluenose II, speculates on its future and recounts the history of the ship and its iconic predecessor.The original Bluenose, launched in Lunenburg on March 6, 1921, was built to fish and to race."She cost $35,580 to build, money raised by selling shares at $100 each, most of which were bought by Lunenburg and Halifax businessmen. Angus Walters of Lunenburg bought ninety shares himself, and was named both captain and managing director."By 1920 the golden age of the banking schooner was already in decline and the decision to build the Bluenose was, for some, more about honouring the past than charting a future but there were others who believed with all their hearts Nova Scotians could show the sailing world a thing or two about building and racing schooners.

The News