‘A priceless artifact’: Future of iconic Lunenburg ship unclear

The historic 85-year-old wooden schooner Theresa E. Connor, described as the flagship of the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic in Lunenburg, N.S., faces an uncertain future.

In need of repair, it was removed from the dock outside the museum in February and is now at the Lunenburg Shipyard awaiting an assessment.

The 139-foot (42-metre) vessel was commissioned by the Maritime National Fish Company and built in Lunenburg at the Smith and Rhuland Shipyard, which also built the Bluenose and the Bluenose II.

Schooners like the Theresa E. Connor would sail to the Grand Banks and deploy dories to fish for cod. The vessel is the last of its kind in Canada.

Rob Maguire, a spokesperson for the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage, confirmed the vessel’s status in an email.

“Several structural issues were identified, and the vessel has been hauled out of the water at the Lunenburg Shipyard for a full assessment,” Maguire said in the email.

“We’re working closely with our colleagues at the museum and with the Department of Public Works to determine the best course of action.”

Dan Moreland, a prominent figure in Lunenburg’s sailing community and the captain of the Picton Castle, described the Theresa E. Connor as “a priceless artifact.”

He said the revenue generated by vessels like the schooner helped build the town.

“You don’t need to do a forensic survey to realize she needs a soup-to-nuts overhaul,” he said.

“She’s a cathedral that needs to be restored. When Notre Dame burned down they didn’t hesitate to fix it up.”

Bradison Boutilier, owner of the Lunenburg Shipyard, confirmed the vessel’s presence and the shipyard’s commitment to its care.

Boutilier said there was an implied obligation to look after local historic vessels when he acquired the shipyard in 2023.

Because of the age and condition of the Theresa E. Connor, the shipyard worked with the community and an engineering firm to co-ordinate the move, Boutilier said.

“We took the responsibility of shifting the vessel and hauling the vessel and the job was done well and safely,” he said. “She’s out of the water and awaiting her next state.”

He noted there is little cost to storing the vessel.

While the shipyard can assess the vessel, Boutilier said that the restoration would involve specialized trades within the community.

He said there is a strong push from the museum and the community to have the vessel overhauled and back in the water.

But he said the fate of the vessel is out of his hands. He said it would be up to the province to figure out “what the economics are.” There is no estimate yet on a possible cost.

The fisheries museum did not respond to an interview request.