Ship Hector replica back in Pictou Harbour after spectacular ceremonyPublished Jul 15, 20256 minute readThe Ship Hector splashes down in the water of the Pictou Harbour on the morning of July 12. The side-launch of the replica of the famous ship drew thousands to the Pictou waterfront for a full-day of festivities, highlighted by the ‘Big Splash’. Photo by Richard MacKenzieArticle contentPICTOU – A boat belongs in the water. And of all the boats and all the bodies of water people can think of, the Ship Hector belongs in the Pictou Harbour. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe Ship Hector replica made its dramatic return to the water on July 12 in front of thousands of people who lined every nook and cranny along the Pictou waterfront to get the best view. The crowd was estimated to be around 12,000, and those unable to attend in person had the opportunity to watch the event via a live broadcast. Article contentArticle contentArticle contentDubbed the ‘Big Splash’ by organizers, the Hector entered the water from a side launch, which went off perfectly as workers strategically hammered away the wooden poles and anchors keeping it in place beside the water. Article content The Ship Hector returning to the water with a splash. Photo by Aidan Rawding /The NewsArticle content“This wasn’t just about launching a ship,” Vern Shea, Ship Hector project manager, said. “It was about years of craftsmanship, community effort, and cultural responsibility. We’ve rebuilt something that carries real meaning, not only for those who came before us, but for those who will come after. I’m incredibly proud of what our team has accomplished.” Article content“The launch of the Ship Hector marks a turning point,” added Wes Surrett, Chair of the Ship Hector Society. “It’s a powerful reminder of where we come from and what we can achieve when we come together. Today was about charting a course for the future.” Article content Workers start to hammer away at the lumber holding the Ship Hector replica ship in place, which eventually led to it sliding into the Pictou Harbour. Photo by Richard MacKenzie /The NewsArticle contentSPEAKING AT EVENT Article contentSurrett acted as emcee for the event. Immediately following the launch, he talked about the emotion of seeing the boat enter the water. Article contentArticle content“So much time and effort goes into this, and to see it move into the water, I teared up pretty good,” he said. “It’s just amazing; it’s amazing the way the guys had it on time and could even time it with the music. These guys who worked on the ship day after day, you saw them swinging those hammers, that’s the real work. Us folks doing meetings and begging people for money is easy compared to what they do on a day-to-day basis.” Article contentSurrett said the weather and crowd were better than what they could have ever expected. Article content“And nothing happens without great partnerships,” he added. “For Pictou Landing to come in and help us with the interpretive centre, it’s overwhelming sometimes the support you get for a project like this, and we’re just extremely thankful.” Article contentPictou Landing First Nation Chief Tamara Young was one of the dignitaries speaking at the event. Young said she too felt the emotion when the ship splashed into the harbour. Article content“I had a little teardrop; it was such an emotional moment,” she said. “I’m not usually a teary person, but it was so big … it was a beautiful moment.” Article contentArticle contentHouston called it an ‘incredible day.” Article content“This is a really big moment for Pictou, Pictou County, and all of Nova Scotia,” he said. “A moment to reconnect with the history as well as to move forward, it’s an important day.” Article contentHe also talked about the “amazing” crowd. Article content“The interest, the support, people were talking about this all week. And you saw all the traffic coming in, the number of boats on the water; this is an exciting moment and a really positive one. It’s a proud day to be from Nova Scotia.” Article contentArticle content Canada’s Minister of Jstice and Attorney General, Sean Fraser, was one of the dignitaries who spoke as part of the ceremonies leading to the relaunch of the Ship Hector July 12. The Central Nova MP was joined by Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, Pictou Landing First Nation Chief Tamara Young, Town of Pictou Mayor Jim Ryan, and Dave Sobey on behalf of Sobeys Inc. and The Sobey Foundation. Photo by Richard MacKenzie /The NewsArticle contentFraser talked about his pleasure in being part of the ceremony, being beyond his role as the area’s MP. Article content“To be able to participate in the ceremony, not just as a government representative, but with the unique family history connected to the vessel and Scottish heritage in Nova Scotia, makes it pretty cool,” he said. Article content“It’s great to commemorate our history and awesome to also know this will be serving the interests of the town and region for generations.” Article contentHe also talked about all the work done by those behind the scenes. Article content“One of my favourite parts of being an MP is you get to be a teammate with all the people doing good things in their communities, and this has been years in the making,” Fraser said. “It’s not just the remarkable work they’ve done to get the Hector back in the water, it’s a new and improved museum (Hector Heritage Quay) on site, and it’s part of waterfront renewal more broadly.” Article contentArticle content The crowd was eager to capture the Ship Hector sliding into Pictou Harbour with a splash. Photo by Aidan Rawding /The NewsArticle contentMayor Ryan talked about the day rekindling emotions from 25 years ago when the Hector replica was launched. Article content“We were here 25 years ago, and to re-feel that emotion when it starts to move down the ways, it’s amazing,” he said. “It’s people just holding their breath, not because they don’t expect it to go well, but just because it’s so exciting. Article content“It’s exciting for the town, the county, the province, exciting for everyone really. And then to have the thousands of people who have gathered here today – it couldn’t be a more beautiful day.” Article contentSobey’s words were music to the ears of all as he announced more donations being put towards the project. Article content“The Dave and Faye Sobey Foundation is going to donate an additional $250,000 to the cause, as well as the Sobey Foundation and Sobey Inc. and family members will be donating $1 million in addition to the project, so we’re very excited about that,” he said. “It brings us closer to our $4 million goal. We hope to create some more excitement, more buzz, as we take this project home.” Article contentSobey echoed the other speakers’ words by calling the day “fantastic.” Article content“We couldn’t have asked for a better day,” he said. “The sun was out, the weather was perfect, and a huge crowd showed up, so a big milestone for us today. Article content“And it’s great not just for Pictou and Pictou County, but all of Nova Scotia. I think what you saw here today was a total community coming together, and it’s fantastic to see everyone excited about this community project and what it means.” Article content Thousands lined every part of the Pictou waterfront Saturday (July 12) morning to witness the relaunch of the Ship Hector. Photo by Richard MacKenzie /The NewsArticle contentAN ENTHUSIASTIC AUDIENCE Article contentAmong the estimated 12,000 was Heather Wilson, who travelled from Hampshire, P.E.I., to see the replica slide into the water. Article content“We got up this morning at five and drove to Wood Islands, took the boat across, and arrived here at 8:30 (a.m.),” she said. Article contentShe had been to the Hector Heritage Quay several times to see the ship as it was being restored – a process that started in 2019. Article contentArticle content“We were on the ship last summer and viewed it all,” she said. Article contentThe launch into the water was amazing, continued Wilson. Article content“This is the first time I’ve ever seen anything like that,” she said. “(It’s) just amazing to think those people actually came over on that boat. It’s phenomenal.” Article contentSome in the crowd also had a familial connection with the emigrants on the ship, like Janet MacKenzie, who is a direct descendant of passenger George MacConnell. Article content“It’s just a thrilling day for me,” she said. “It was so exciting, and it was a very, very touching thing to meet some of the other descendants of the Hector people.” Article content A replica of the Ship Hector finally in the water on July 12. The historic ship brought the first Scottish settlers to Nova Scotia in 1773. Photo by Aidan Rawding /The NewsArticle contentSPLASH COMMENTARY Article contentAs the relaunch was getting closer and closer to happening, Sandy Mackay took over the mic from Surrett to provide some play-by-play for the audience. He shared that the emotions of the moment caught up with him as well. Article content“It gets me every time. I had tears in my eyes today, and I had tears in my eyes the first time,” Mackay said, referring to the launch that happened in 2000. Article content“It is, for me, the single greatest moment of birth that I have witnessed. I was not expecting to be blown away today, and it blew me away.” Article content With files from Aidan RawdingArticle content
The Big Splash heard across Pictou and the province
