Bluenose: A Canadian Icon

Bluenose's First Race (1921)

After a successful first season on the Grand Banks Bluenose, under Angus Walters, was ready for the 1921 Nova Scotia Elimination Trials, held off Halifax in October. It competed against the schooners Independence, J. Duffy, Canadia, Alcala, Ada R. Corkum, Donald J. Cook and Delawana, all from Lunenburg, LaHave or Shelburne—and won both Elimination Races easily, thereby becoming the challenger against the American entry in the International Trophy Race.

The initial American winner that year had been the Mayflower, a Boston-based vessel—but it was disqualified when the race committee decided, after some argument, that Mayflower was technically a schooner-yacht rather than a dedicated Grand Banks fishing schooner. The Americans quickly held another elimination contest, from which the Gloucester schooner Elsie emerged the winner.

The first race between Bluenose and Elsie was held on 22 October 1921, with Bluenose winning easily. The second race was held two days later, and once again Bluenose reached the finish line first, more than three miles ahead of Elsie. No question about it—under Captain Angus Walters and in one brief season, Bluenose was established as the frisky new championship schooner. The salt-banker was 'different' indeed, and the legend had begun.

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