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Hector Centre
May 12 2008

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Ship Hector Construction Chronicle 1990-2006

Ship Hector & The Hector Heritage Quay Construction Chroncile 1990-2006

On the shores of Pictou Harbour in the province of Nova Scotia, ship builders have been constructing a full size replica of an 18th century sailing vessel called the "Hector". In 1773 the Hector landed 200 Scottish Highlanders to take up the formidable challenge of carving a home out of the new wilderness. The ship "Hector" was a Dutch "Boot Ship" originally built in the Netherlands in the mid 18th century. She was rigged as a three masted ship of 200 tons berthen. She had an overall length of 110 feet, a breadth of 22 feet and a depth inside the cargo hold of 11 feet 6 inches.

The Pictou Waterfront Development Corporation was established by the Pictou Town Council in order to facilitate funding, management of the capital improvements, and the day to day operation of the attraction. A five year strategy was developed and work began on various components in 1989. J.B. McGuire Marine Associates Ltd. Of Pictou were contracted to conduct research and develop the required engineering data and drawings for the ship Hector construction and assumed the role of Project Manager which continued until 1996.

Currently the Ship Hector is a dockside attraction and the focal point of the Hector Heritage Quay experience and the Pictou Waterfront. The Hector Heritage Quay and Ship Hector are owned and operated by the Town of Pictou. The vessel is constructed in compliance the Canadian Coast Guard and Lloyds of London requirements so that in the future if deemed feasible the Ship Hector could be completed as a fully functional sailing vessel. For now, the Town of Pictou invites you visit our award-winning waterfront and to step aboard the Ship Hector and in to history.

Information on Construction Story compiled and recounted by:

G. Vernon Shea -Shea Marine Services -1989-2001
Gary Hendsbee - 1993 until present -currently Ship Hector Site Manager

A special thank you for their contributions to document the Story of the Reconstruction of the Ship Hector in keeping the history alive.

1990

Initial construction drawings were completed and materials were procured.
The keel was laid on August 19, 1990 at a Ceremony which was attended by Hon. Roland J. Thornhill, Mayor Dan Currie, Hon. Elmer MacKay, the Hon. Don McInnes and other dignitaries and contributing partners involved in the planning stages of the project.
The firm of Scotia Trawlers Equipment Limited were contracted to provide the main structural components of the vessel which included the keel, stem post, stern post, frames and deck beams.
American White Oak was procured from Virginian and the Carolinas to be used for all of the structural members on the ship.
The decision was made as well to use galvanized fastenings rather than traditional iron or wood, again to ensure longevity.
Construction of the Gift Shop began
Rib Raising Ceremony took place in December 1990
At season's end in 1990 the skyline at the Quay included the stern and stern posts of the Hector along with five midship frames.

1991

Work commenced in the Spring of 1991 with the arrival of the remaining frames from Scotia Trawlers along with a gang of experienced shipwrights from that company and Quay tradesmen and apprentices. These components of the ship were assembled and raised into position using traditional method of blocks and tackles.
A blacksmith shop, and carpenter shop were relocated to the Quay and a gift shop was constructed
Interpretation Centre within the present day Gift Shop was worked on.
Preparation of the wharf area begun
Bow timbers were installed and made for the aft end.
Footings for the new Interpretation Centre were poured in December 1991.

1992

Tree Nailing Ceremony took place on February 27th on the new Interpretation Centre. Nova Scotia Post & Beam was contracted to construct the new Interpretation Centre, which opened in July.
Installation of the pieces that tied the whole ship together. The keelson was fitted to the floors and bolted through to the keel effectively clamping everything together.
The frames were dubbed using adzes in order to achieve a fair line to accept the sheer clamp, foot wales and deck beam ledges.
Deadwood aft was installed to support the sternpost and breasthooks were fitted to tie the sheer clamps and foot wales to the bow timbers.
One of the major accomplishments was the construction of a three storey interpretation centre to complement the ship Hector. Within its walls it tells the story of the Hector people, the crossing and some of the shipbuilding techniques of the day. New Interpretation Centre opened in July 1992.

1993

During the early months of 1993 it was decided to construct the ship's longboat to be used during the re-enactment of the landing of the settlers during the annual Hector Festival held in Pictou.
J.B. McGuire Marine Associates Ltd. was called upon to design, loft and provide templates in order to begin construction. Mr. Ralph Anderson, Master Shipwright from Lunenburg, assisted with the construction and the boat was ready for the 1993 celebration.
The deck beams were fitted to the ship along with carlings, ledges and filler pieces.
The inner planning called the ceiling was installed using local spruce plank.

1994

Dubbing of the side frames in order to fair the ship to accept hull planking was completed.
Transom pieces were fitted and modified, filling pieces and most inserts were installed and the deck beams were dubbed as with the side frames to accept the deck plank.
The installation of hanging knees to the deck beams and ceiling under the main deck commenced as far as material would allow.
Frames were dubbed in way of the deck clamps for the raised main deck aft and the clamps erected.
The deck beams were cut and notched and installed onboard.
The rudder was fabricated and pintle brands fitted.
Gudgeon banks for the stern post were fabricated as well.
The lower main mast for the vessel was constructed in Lunenburg and shipped to Pictou in order to give the public an idea of how large the mast was going to be. This piece of Douglas Fir was from British Columbia, it was over 120 feet long and 2 feet in diameter. This piece of Douglas Fir was used for the construction of the lower main mast and the bow sprit.

1995

Filling chocks, fashion pieces and counter timbers were fitted aft in way of the transom.
Deck planking got underway using native Nova Scotia pine.
Work continued on installing the hanging knees as more had been located during the winter.
Knightheads, pawl bitts and the anchor riding bitts were installed forward. Nova Scotia grey oak. The placement of the outer wales began.

1996

1996 was to be the last year that the Pictou Waterfront Development Corporation would be the managing body as well as the last year for J.B. McGuire Marine Associates heading up the Project Management of the ship construction.
The wales were completed fore and aft.
The main deck planking was completed and caulking started.

1997

It was announced that in 1997 the waterfront project including the ship Hector would come under the management of Pictou Recreation, Tourism and Culture. The ship would continue to be worked on with the goal being a dockside attraction complete with standing rigging only and outfitted as the would have been in 1773.
Work began on the vessel. Deck planking on the poop deck and lower flat was installed and the main deck caulking was completed.
Timberheads were sanded and primed and routine maintenance was carried out.
Mostly cosmetic procedures were done to enhance the appearance of the ship. The timberheads were cut to the sheer line, rail installed
All exposed structure above the main wales were painted white.
The ship finally took on the profile intended and one could actually see what the finished product would look like.

1998

It was in the fall of 1998 that word was received that the Government of Canada would be looking for significant projects of historical or cultural nature to celebrate the upcoming Millennium.
Application was made with the Town of Pictou and the Ship Hector Foundation as partners. Total funding required $1,365,077

1999

In the spring of 1999 an announcement from the Millennium Bureau concerning the project. Finally, word was received that $295,456 would be given to the project by the federal government. This set the wheels in motion whereby the Town of Pictou donated $400,000 and the Ship Hector Foundation started the Come On Board campaign which totaled in pledge monies and donations in kind $703,767 for a grand total of 1,399,223. Work continued.
The spring of 1999 -the decision was made to attempt a sideways launch. After investigation various options it was felt that this would be the most economical course as the piles driven for the launchways could then be modified and used to construct the wharf where the Hector would lay alongside.
Planking of the hull started in June 1999 with three shipwrights from Lunenburg and the rest of the planking gang from Pictou. Nova Scotia red oak was used for the hull plank.
The wales were removed fore and aft and new ones made. Trees of proper size were found and a boiler and steam box were loaned to the site by Scotia Trawlers.
After thirteen weeks the ship was completely planked, save for one which was driven home by His Worship Major Lawrence LeBlanc of Pictou in November. The vessel was then sanded, primed and painted to afford some measure of protection from the winter.
Once the planking was completed work commenced on the driving of the piles and continued early into the New Year.
The launch date was set for less than 8 months away, September 16, 2000 at 1:00pm. Planning had already started for a three day celebration commemorating the launch and was billed as a "once in a lifetime" event by the committee of volunteers and town officials.

2000 - Launch Year

Spring 2000 -Shipwrights and caulkers arrived from Lunenburg. Work gangs were organized utilizing the quay's work force.
Caulking of the hull commenced. All plank seams had to be sanded to bare wood, caulked with cotton then oakum, beaten down by a separate gang, the seams primed then filled with putty, sanded smooth primed again and then painted.
The construction of the sliding ways, the construction of the standing ways, and the anchoring system to keep all in place.
Channels, chainplates and deadeyes were fabricated and installed.
Hatches, doors, windows, staghorns, mooring ports, freeing ports and access grates were cut, fabricated, installed, tested and painted.
The anchor handling windlass was manufactured and installed, as were decorative carvings and name boards.
Bulwarks were sanded and painted inside and out. Decks were sanded and varnished and the entire vessel was given a final coat of paint and prepared for launch.
This was all accomplished by mid August. On Thursday, September 14, 2000 the standing ways were greased, covered and waiting their role.
Saturday, September 16, 2000, high winds, heavy rain and lightning forced the cancellation of the launch. It was interrupted at this point and re-scheduled for 2:00pm on Sunday the 17th. Workers and volunteers, some in kilts, began driving up to the ship at 1:00pm. Cannons were fired, pipes were played and the final blessing given. The Honorable Myra Freeman, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, with the helping hands of three school children sent a bottle of champagne flying to the stem post of the ship Hector. With this act completed the order was given to release trippers and the ship Hector started down the ways at 2:17:59 pm. Twelve seconds later at 2:18:11pm after an unanticipated delay of 25 hours, 18 minutes and 11 seconds, the ship Hector was afloat in Pictou Harbour after a spectacular launch amid 30,000 cheering participants.

2001

Construction of the Wharf for the Ship Hector was completed early Spring.
Ship Hector was taken over from dry dock at shipyard to the Quay in late Spring.
Work on the vessel did not end with the launch. In 2001, the services of a master rigger were sought and the Master Rigger of square rigged vessels, Mr. Mike Freeman was contracted to begun work on the rig.
The remaining masts and yards were fabricated along with cross and trestle trees, tops, caps and all of the necessary hardware required to make it work.
A block shop was set up as was a rigging loft and carver's studio. Mr. Keith Matheson who had been doing carvings for the ship on a volunteer basis since 1998 was hired to fill this position.
Associated outfit items were worked on including the hatches, companionways and the crew's quarters.
In September -all of the three lower masts, the fore, the main, and the mizzen were all raised and stepped in one day, complete with stays and shrouds -Stepping of the Masts Ceremony
Rigging work started in September after the Stepping of the Masts.

2002

Carpenters make components to support the rigging. Major work on the rigging took place over this period.
Carpenters and rigger made trestle trees for the rig.
Pin rails for the ship were constructed.
Carvings for top rail completed by Keith Matheson, Carver.
Top sections of masts were constructed and installed. Stepping of the masts took place on June 4 & 5. This was done the traditional way with ropes and pulleys rather than using motorized crane.
Top gallant was hosted in place. Top gallants are the highest section of the foremast.
Continuing work on the Captain's Quarters.
Work started on the rattlings.
Riggers finished the fore shrouds and seizing share poles in place, also installed shivs for the night heads aboard the ship.
First yard was hoisted in August, main yard hoisted in September.
Blocks and extensive rope work was done and installed.
Hoisted top part of main mast during the week of October 21-25, 2002.

2003

Construction of parts required to support the rig such as paroles and rails.
Hurricane Juan hit on September 28 & 29th. For two weeks after the storm a cleaned up was required. Ship was maintained until it could be hauled out of the water to the Pictou Shipyard for repair work. Estimates on repair work were performed.
Crandall Dry Dock Engineers, Inc with the assistance of Dave Arch, conducted a material condition survey of the Marine Railway C3#177. This inspection was to ascertain the overall condition of the dock and issue a capacity certification if the condition of the facility so warrants for the hauling of the "Hector".
Scotia Trawelers checked over and inspected the Hector for damage from the hurricane.

2004

Maintenance program was started on ship and rigging.
Finishing work was performed on the gaff.
Wood was procured and put away to dry for future maintenance the following year.
Upper rigging and detailed work was completed.
Hurricane Juan hit the region in September causing the Ship Hector to break her lines and run a-ground at the shoreline between the Quay and the Saltwater Café.

2005

In early Spring there was extensive work on repairs from Hurricane Juan.
Planking in bow had to be replaced.
Large portion of the stempost (4 feet) had to be replaced.
Planking had to be re-caulked.
Graving pieces installed.
In the early part of July work started on the bulwarks. This job was done primarily by shipwright carpenters with help from rigger.
The ship was coated with copper and seams were re-puttied and painted.
Some repair work to the rigging had to be carried out as a result of Hurricane Juan.

2006

New rigging was installed: euphroes, crows feet, mousing installed on all stays (total 7) and new blocks made.
Standing rigging was completed.
The rudder was completed and installed this year.
New Carret Bit was made and installed.
Work began on the "Below Deck" scene (display) -framing and bunks
The following sections of the ship were either repaired or replaced: ceiling of Captains Quarters, machine posts, plank on starboard side of ship, railing on platform of working top.

Notes

Work and maintenance on the ship is still ongoing.

Pictou used to be a Port of Registry for vessels but this distinction was removed when governments were cut back. Through our local Member of Parliament, Mr. Peter MacKay, Pictou was reinstated long enough so that the Ship Hector became the last vessel to be registered in this town.