Bluenose II is a replica schooner built in 1963 at Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, to the original plans of the famous racing and fishing vessel Bluenose. Constructed by some of the same workers at Smith and Rhuland and launched on July 24, 1963, the ship was commissioned by Sidney Culverwell Oland as a promotional yacht for Oland Brewery, with an estimated construction cost of approximately $300,000. The design process involved consultations with Angus J. Walters, the original Bluenose’s captain, ensuring an authentic resemblance. The schooner features impressive sail area, including one of the largest mainsails in the world, measuring 386 square metres (4,150 square feet), and a total sail area of 1,036 square metres (11,150 square feet). Its hull and rigging reflect traditional schooner craftsmanship, though the vessel was originally built with yacht accommodations rather than the fishing layout of its predecessor. In 1971, Oland donated Bluenose II to Nova Scotia, which then managed the vessel until it was transferred to the Bluenose II Preservation Trust. A significant restoration occurred during the winter of 1994–95, culminating in her recommissioning in 1995. Later, the schooner underwent a major, contentious $24 million restoration from 2010 to 2016, involving extensive rebuilding of the hull, masts, rigging, and other components, with some parts replaced or reconstructed to resemble the original vessel more closely. Despite delays and controversy over authenticity, she was relaunched in 2013 and fully restored by 2016. Today, Bluenose II operates as a maritime ambassador and tourist attraction, primarily based at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic in Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage site. She tours Atlantic Canada and beyond during the summer months, promoting Nova Scotia’s maritime heritage and tourism. Her mission emphasizes education, heritage promotion, and cultural outreach, making her a symbol of Nova Scotia’s seafaring legacy.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.