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Handcrafted, scratch built and ready
made. Absolutely nothing to do, except to remove from their boxes!
History of Delawana Model Yacht
The famous Blue Nose owes its existence to the Delawana. Here is the story of the Delawana and what led to the building of the Blue Nose.
In the Autumn of 1920, the Delawana won the Canadian fishing schooners competition, under Captain Tom Himmelman.
The Canadians then proceeded to challenge the legendary port of Gloucester, Massachusetts (USA) to a race between fishing schooners. The requirements were that the Americans had to reply within a week and arrive in Halifax within another 10 days to start the race.
The Esperanto was chosen by the Americans, partly as a result of timing, as it was the first schooner to arrive back at port, after being at Sea for two months.
The Esperanto was put into shape by the Gorton-Pew Fisheries Company, and Captain Martin Leander Welch selected to skipper the schooner. Ironically, Captain Welch was of Canadian Origin, but had become a naturalised US citizen.
The victor would be decided on a best of three races. The first race, on October 30, 1920 was cheered on with spectators lining the Halifax Harbour. The first five miles saw the Delawana take the lead, but the Esperanto slowly picked up speed with the wind and would lead by a ¼ mile by the first buoy.
The Esperanto increased her lead at the second leg, and by the third leg had increased her lead to 21/2 miles. Esperanto crossed the finish line, winning the first race.
The Canadians decided to remove tons of stone and iron ballast from the Delawana’s hull, hoping to increase their chances for the second race. Whilst making the Delawana faster, it meant the chances of capsizing were also greater.
On November 1 1920, their gamble proved to be correct as the Delawana took the lead in the first leg. The Esperanto managed to make up some of the distance, but was still the Delawana in the second leg. By the third leg, the wind had freshened which the Esperanto used to close the gap. Esperanto managed to pull alongside the Delawana more than once, but could not quite go into the lead.
Captain Welch tried three times to pass the Delawana on her windward side, but each time Captain Himmelman luffed his schooner into the wind and forced the Esperanto to drop back. Captain Welch decided the only way to pass the Delawana was on her leeward side, and as they approached the treacherous Devil’s Island, Delawana began to crowd Esperanto toward the rocks.
The Halifax pilot advised Captain Welch to turn the Esperanto to avoid being wrecked on the rocks, but he persisted, The Delawana in good sportsmanship swung away which enabled the Esperanto now inches away from the rocks to pass her and go on to win the race.
That night, a banquet was held in Halifax and the $4,000 prize awarded to Esperanto and $1,000 to Delawana.
Several additional schooner matches were subsequently held between the Halifax and Gloucester fisherman, but none went on to exceed the drama, excitement and good sportsmanship of the 1920 series.
As a result of their defeat, the Canadians financed and built what was to become one of the most famous schooners the world over, the 'Blue Nose'. The Blue Nose went on to become a national symbol, and today appears on the Canadian dime.
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