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History
The ship began her life in 1967 as the Motor Vessel "Liverpool Bay". She was built from strong native timber and the skilled hands of the shipwrights of MacLean Shipbuilding, Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada. Her Captain and crew worked the Banks off Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, fishing for the cod that were her reason for being. After twenty years working in the harsh environment of the North Atlantic, with fish stocks declining and her machinery and equipment well past their prime, in 1987 this once proud vessel was left abandoned at a Halifax pier.
In 1992 Captain George Mainguy started on his dream of converting her to a 19th century Grand Banks schooner (something her motor vessel lines were a descendant of). After a main engine replacement and rebuild of the hull the work turned to building out the rig.
In the summer of 1997, now as "Mist of Avalon" the ship returned to sea for her maiden voyage under sail. The occasion was the fleet journey to Bonavista to rendezvous with the replica of John Cabot's "Mathew" at Bonavista Newfoundland.
Since that time the ship has appeared in numerous feature films and documentaries in addition to being a star attraction at maritime festivals.
Today she is one of only two large wooden schooners left in Canada (east of the Rockies).
In the last four years the ship has undergone significant restoration work under the guidance of Captain Doug Prothero. All main systems were rebuilt or renewed and the vessels hull was significantly replanked. She has also carried on in her role as a film prop and event show piece.
Whilst 2017 marks the 150th anniversary of Canada’s Confederation it also marks “Mist of Avalon’s” 50th birthday!
The captain and crew of the “Mist of Avalon” look forward to traveling in company with the RDV 2017 fleet and to meeting new friends during our many port calls in the summer of 2017.
In 1992 Captain George Mainguy started on his dream of converting her to a 19th century Grand Banks schooner (something her motor vessel lines were a descendant of). After a main engine replacement and rebuild of the hull the work turned to building out the rig.
In the summer of 1997, now as "Mist of Avalon" the ship returned to sea for her maiden voyage under sail. The occasion was the fleet journey to Bonavista to rendezvous with the replica of John Cabot's "Mathew" at Bonavista Newfoundland.
Since that time the ship has appeared in numerous feature films and documentaries in addition to being a star attraction at maritime festivals.
Today she is one of only two large wooden schooners left in Canada (east of the Rockies).
In the last four years the ship has undergone significant restoration work under the guidance of Captain Doug Prothero. All main systems were rebuilt or renewed and the vessels hull was significantly replanked. She has also carried on in her role as a film prop and event show piece.
Whilst 2017 marks the 150th anniversary of Canada’s Confederation it also marks “Mist of Avalon’s” 50th birthday!
The captain and crew of the “Mist of Avalon” look forward to traveling in company with the RDV 2017 fleet and to meeting new friends during our many port calls in the summer of 2017.