Local man builds replica schooner for Heritage Society

The fabric and culture of the south coast of Newfoundland is woven with the history and folklore of the tall ships commonly known as schooners.

These vessels were the backbone of the fishing trade and merchant fleets that sailed the world. Bay dEspoir was home to a number of these ship builders, most notably the Roberts Brothers of the former community of Head Bay dEspoir and the Kendell Brothers in Morrisville.

These schooners were mainly two and three masted ships with sails. These ships at one time were commonplace and could be seen arriving and departing the many small communities that dotted the coastal areas of Newfoundland.

All goods and supplies came by sea; there were no connecting roads in the early days of Bay dEspoir. Many members of the older generation remember the sailing schooners and the excitement of spotting one as she slipped into port bringing news and much needed staples after a long winter.

These boats were mainly trading schooners used to carry supplies, export fish and timber, as well as being the only means of transportation from one community to another.

In the south coast area the Jensens from Harbour Breton and Riggs from McCallum would bring in supplies that couldnt readily be made or grown and pick up timber for sale further down the coast as well as exported to the overseas markets.

Leonard Long from St. Albans carried lumber to Nova Scotia and returned with coal, which began to replace wood as the main source of fuel. Garlands in Gaultois had a strong overseas trade and used schooners built by the Roberts Brothers. These schooners would make port in the communities about two or three times a year and were seen in the Bay dEspoir region as late as the 1940s.

One man in the community of Milltown-Head Bay d'Espoir decided that he would build a small-scale schooner, indicative of those he remembered as a young man.

Max Taylor, now retired from Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro likes to be busy, and it seems boat building is a passion from way back. He started by building his own boat many years ago. His first small scale schooner was built for his grandson Justin.

He then built two more, and a hobby was born. In conversation with Heritage Society Chairperson Susan Dunphy, Mr. Taylor described his recent project.

The schooner is not an exact replica of any one ship, but rather its a replica of the old Newfoundland schooners that used to sail the waters of Bay dEspoir, the south coast and beyond, said Mr. Taylor.

Mr. Taylors replica ships are intricate in design and attention has been given to the smallest of details. There are water barrels and hatches for fish and cargo. A miniature Captains wheel and small row dories show the scope of these ships size.

Mr. Taylor said, it takes me about a year to complete a schooner.

Early this spring Mr. Taylor presented the Heritage Society of Milltown-Head Bay d'Espoir with one of these beautifully made replicas for the Town Museum.

The Heritage Society was pleased to have this wonderful addition to their exhibits. It tells the story of a vital part of the communities way of life that younger generations can no longer imagine.

Representatives from the Heritage Society said the schooner will add another layer in the interpretation of the stories that make up the history and folklore of the Bay dEspoir region.