Bluenose II, Pride of Baltimore II, and Picton Castle will sail out of Lunenburg harbour together on Saturday June 15, starting around 10:00am.
All three vessels are heading for the Great Lakes where they will participate in the Tall Ships Challenge, an event made up of a series of port festivals and races, organized by Tall Ships America.
Canadian icon, the Schooner Bluenose II of Lunenburg will lead the way, under the command of Captain Phil Watson. Bluenose II was in Halifax this week doing open deck tours and harbour sails and is returning to Lunenburg on Friday evening in order to be part of this unique spectacle on Saturday morning.
Pride of Baltimore II arrived in Lunenburg on Tuesday morning for a short visit, taking on fuel and provisions before. Under the command of Captain Jan Miles, Pride of Baltimore II is the sailing ambassador of the State of Maryland.
Picton Castle just completed an incredible seventh voyage around the world. After a short turnaround time at home base, Picton Castle is heading for the Great Lakes under the command of Captain Dirk Lorenzen.
These three vessels will join with a larger fleet of tall ships at the first official host port of the Tall Ships Challenge in Toronto from June 28 to July 1. The Tall Ships Challenge continues in Buffalo, Cleveland, Bay City, Green Bay, Kenosha, Sarnia/Midland, Kingsville, and Brockville (note that not all ships are participating at all ports).
All are welcome on the Lunenburg waterfront and the shores of Lunenburg Bay to see these three majestic sailing vessels get underway and start their voyage to the Great Lakes together. Even for a seaport like Lunenburg which sees its share of vessels coming and going, this will be an awe-inspiring sight.