It seems only fitting that a company which has been an integral part of this province's boat-building heritage should be involved in the making of a piece of Nova Scotia's future marine history.

 Snyder's Shipyard's roots go back over 135 years during which time the firm has built a reputation for quality shipbuilding and repairs that is second to none.

 It was, therefore, no surprise that, when the provincial government went looking for skilled craftsmen to partake in the reconstruction of Bluenose II, the Lunenburg Shipyard Alliance, of which Snyder's Shipyard is a member, was awarded the job.

 The company, which was purchased by the late Teddy Snyder from the Leary family in 1944 and is currently co-owned by his son Philip and general manager Wade Croft, is no stranger to Bluenose II.

 Back in 1994 when the then-31-year-old vessel was rescued by the Bluenose II Preservation Trust after being deemed unseaworthy, it was Snyder's that carried out a major restoration which led to her being recomissioned.

 Over the years, the yard has also been involved in the ship's annual refits, as well as the replacement of her bowsprit, main mast and other repair projects.

 For the new Bluenose II, one of the responsibilities Snyder's has been assigned is constructing what is perhaps the vessel's most important component, its keel, and the yard will rely on its years of experience and proven technology in completing the task.

 "Everything we're doing, as far as Snyder's Shipyard's scope of work, is traditional boat building," explains Mr. Croft. "The keel, the stem, deadwoods, sternpost, all of that will be traditionally built, as well as hull planking."

 Although Douglas fir will be used for the decks, the ship's new keel, as well as her hull planking, will all be made out of angelique, an exceptionally durable wood which is native to Surinam.

 "This stuff is so hard that every 15 or 20 minutes they were sharpening the plane blades," he laughs. "It has silica in it [and] it's heavy."

 Mr. Croft says the keel of the 143-foot ship will be made in four sections, stacked one on top of the other, with the longest spanning 70 feet.

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 "Everything is scarfed and bolted, the same as what Bluenose II is now," he says, adding that each section will measure 12" x 12" and will be made from pieces of angelique measuring as much as 38 feet in length.

 Work started on the keel facet of the project shortly after the contract to build the ship was signed between the Lunenburg Shipyard Alliance and the province in early July.

 "Right now we're just fitting some more material, deadwoods and stuff like that. The keel has all been scarfed and fitted and is ready to be bolted together, so as soon as we get on site, we'll be able to continue," he says.

 At this point, the tentative date that the Lunenburg construction site will be ready is November 8. However, Mr. Croft says that timetable is dependent on co-operation from Mother Nature.

 "It's a great project. We've increased our workforce by five right now and there will be more," Mr. Croft says,adding that he's also been impressed with the work being done by the new employees Snyder's has hired on the project.

 "I'm pretty happy ... especially when it comes to this kind of work. They're local young people, [and] they're very eager to learn," he adds.

posted on 11/02/10