Ship Hector

The Hector Heritage Quay is one of Nova Scotia's major cultural tourist attractions. The Quay is home to the Ship Hector, a full sized replica of the original ship which brought the first wave of emigrants from Scotland to Nova Scotia in 1773. Step aboard the Hector and relive the tale of these early settlers and the hardships they faced beginning a new life in a new land. Go below deck to see the living conditions these hardy souls call home during almost 11 weeks at sea.
Hector was a ship famous for having been part of the first significant migration of Scottish settlers to Nova Scotia in 1773. The replica of the original ship is located at the Hector Heritage Quay, a heritage centre run by local volunteers, in Pictou.








We were part of the crew that built the replica in 1998-1999

During the late 1980s and early 1990s, heritage officials in Nova Scotia sought to commemorate the Hector's contribution to Nova Scotia's Scottish history. In 1992, the Ship Hector Foundation was formed from a group of volunteers in Pictou County and elsewhere who began to raise funds for the construction, maintenance and operation of a replica of Hector.

The Hector Heritage Quay, along with the Ship Hector Company Store were opened on the Pictou waterfront in the ensuing years. The marine architect firm J.B. McGuire Marine Associates Ltd. was commissioned to research the particulars of the original Hector and to develop blueprints for an accurate replica. Scotia Trawlers of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia were commissioned to complete phase one and two of the construction at the Hector Heritage Quay, which allowed visitors to the Pictou waterfront to observe the ship's progress, making it an important local attraction. After several years of construction, the replica Hector was launched with great fanfare and media coverage on September 17, 2000. The date had been delayed due to poor weather on the 16th.


 Keith Mathison was the carver on site back in the late 1900s and early 2000s.















 Artist David MacIntosh was the painter who documented the history, building and launch during the construction and launch days.














We have tried to stay involved with the ship and the Quay over the years.







It is so sad to see the condition of the ship today.  They are planning to take it out this fall and hopefully repair it.  They need sponsors and lots of money to do that.

We would like to see the ship fully rigged, giving harbor tours and in good shape once again.

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