Tall Ships in Toronto, 2013
The visit of the tall ships is linked to the War of 1812 commemoration. I was more interested in the boats than the War but the Redpath Waterfront Festival festival website is useful for more information, It also has detailed information on the boats under THE FLEET tab. Each boat has specs plus a link and photos
I visited some of the tall ships and took many photos of the rigging and details. It's not hard to find photos of the tall ships in full magnificent sail but close ups of the details is harder to come by. Think of it as Boat Porn for sailors.
Most of the boats are used as teaching ships. An exception is Liana's Ransom which is a cruise boat, and Peacemaker, a true wooden ship which aims to be a "representation of peace and unity". It could not be visited when I went.
Since tall ships were built of wood they did not survive for long and most of the tall ships here are reproductions. Niagara, although original has undergone so many renovations not much is original.
SØRLANDET is the oldest full-rigged ship in the world still in operation. It was built in 1927. It has a steel hull.
SØRLANDET
I took this photo rowing in my little Skerry. My boat club is about 11 kilometres from there. I had blisters by the time I had rowed back to the club.
Seeing the tall ships really drives home what "Knowing the ropes" really means.
There are a whole lot of videos made on Sorlandet showing how to do various manoeuvres in tall ships. It's really interesting to see and get an idea of the complexity of sailing these ships. Here is a link to one of these: How to sail a Full Rigged Ship video. There is a whole series, just do a search in Youtube, if they don't show up.
The 2 large balls on each side of the compass are there to keep the compass accurate. It balances the influence of other steel and iron things.
All the ships blocks were wood. some with bronze wheels inside but others only wood.
The fluffy chafing gear on the right is called a BAGGYWRINKLE.
Capstan with anchor in background, and bowsprit on right.
Large Fish tail collection tucked away in a corner. Dinghy with Turk's head knots acting as bumpers.
Detail of the sail. This is one of the triangular fore sails. The cloth was synthetic with machine stitching but finished by hand. The little cannon makes a convincing noise and a satisfying amount of smoke.
I will be posting a whole lot more photos in the next 2 days. To be continued...
Wooden blocks from the tall ship photos. Eye Candy!
I try to be accurate and check my information, but mistakes happen, especially to me.
email me if you find mistakes, I'll fix them and we'll all benefit: ChristineTall Ships
The Tall Ship STV Unicorn Built in Holland from German U-Boat metals the Unicorn is crewed by women and is used in leadership building programs for women.More photos from the Tall ship festival web site
The Tall Ship Fair Jeannie Home port Ottawa is used as an instruction ship in the Great Lakes, Eastern seaboard and St.Laurence river.
SS SSØRLANDET Norwegian tall ship used as a teaching ship. Home to Class Afloat Built in 1927 it is the oldest full rigged ship still in operation.
Playfair and Pathfinder are run as youth training ships out of Toronto.
A Sister Ship, the STV ST. Lawrence II is also used as a teaching vessel and calls Portsmouth Harbour in Kingston Ontario, Home.
Pride of Baltimore II Is a reproduction topsail schooner built to the lines of an 1812-era Baltimore Clipper. Link is to the Wikipedia Article
Privateer Lynx Is a reproduction 1812 privateer used as a teaching vessel emphasizing American History. Photo: Miso Beno
USS Niagara US Brig Niagara is a War of 1812 ship which has been extensively restored at several different times. Wikipedia Article on Niagara Photo: Lance Woodworth
Liana's Ransom is operating as a charter boat.Peacemaker is a true wooden boat built in Brazil. It aims to be a representation of peace and unity.