Love of the sea
Large crowds visit Tall Ships
Counter in hand, Ann Porter had to keep track of all the people filing into Pier C on Saturday in Pictou.
“This is a great crowd when you consider the weather,” said Porter, one of many volunteers on hand as the majestic tall ships took centre stage in Pictou on the Canada Day weekend.
By 4:15 p.m., more than 4,700 people had strolled onto Pier C to see the ships, including the Bluenose II.
One man cracked they should rename it the Bluenose III after the extensive – and costly – renovations over the past couple of years.
A replica of a 17th-century Spanish merchant ship, the El Galeon attracted scores of people eager to explore the ship, which was outfitted with cannons – just as they were three or four centuries ago when pirates routinely attacked ships to steal their wares.
She is mostly made of wood, but has a fiberglass-covered hull, explained Alba Trullenque. “Alba means ‘dawn in Spanish,’” explained the 28-year crewmember of ‘El Galeon.’
Trullenque has been on the ship for three weeks and has visited ports in Norfork, Boston and Provincetown, Mass. before sailing into Pictou Harbour for the weekend.
Asked what would compel her and other seafarers to undertake this vagabond way of life, her answer comes fast.
“We love the sea; we’re married to the sea. There are some rough times at sea, but you get over them – it’s your passion,” said Trullenque, who plans to one day captain a big ship.
“I’ve been sailing my whole life. It gives you a lot of peace. You learn how to appreciate the simple things in life, like a shower and a bed that doesn’t rock.”
Christian Gomez is a midshipman with the Ecuadorian navy, and is a member of the crew on the BAE Guayas, a training ship. He said crewmembers would do a little shopping, explore some of the sites and go out to eat during their stop in Pictou.
Vivian MacNeill of Pictou was hoping to explore all the ships on Saturday, along with her daughter and a couple of their friends.
“I think the ships are amazing, just amazing. The things that you see, that you wouldn’t otherwise. I’m glad I was here to see it all.”