HM Bark Endeavour to Visit Halifax

Halifax is gearing up for a tall ship visit this October.

HM Bark Endeavour, a replica of Captain Cook's famous 18th-century scientific exploration vessel, will visit Halifax from Oct. 9 to Oct. 19.

"We're pleased this unique event is happening on the Halifax waterfront. We expect to attract thousands of visitors during the 10-day stay in port," said Fred Were, president of the Waterfront Development Corp. Ltd., a partner with the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in hosting the visit.

Built in Australia, the Endeavour replica was completed in 1994. The vessel weighs 550 tonnes and is 33 metres long. The ship and its crew are completing a multi-year tour of the countries Cook visited in the 1700s. Halifax is the only Canadian port on the tall ship's route and will be the Endeavour's last port of call. The east coast tour began in Florida and includes 12 U.S. ports.

The Endeavour will be docking at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic wharf. As a bonus, admission fees to the tall ship will also include entrance to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, and discounts will be offered to groups such as schools.

"The museum is planning associated interpretative events and special features to highlight Captain Cook's connections to Eastern Canada," said the museum's acting director, Mike Murray.

Cook's connection to Eastern Canada includes charting the St. Lawrence River from Quebec to the Atlantic Ocean and the coasts of Labrador and Newfoundland.

The Waterfront Development Corp. said it will cost $50,000 to host the visit. "We expect that half the cost will be taken care of through in-kind contributions such as accommodations for the crew and volunteer guides," Mr. Were said. "To cover the remainder, we'll be looking for sponsorship from businesses in the area."

He added: "The 10-day visit in Halifax is scheduled over two weekends to allow people from all over Nova Scotia and beyond to take advantage of this unique opportunity."

The Endeavour has a professional paid crew of 13. Local volunteers will be trained to conduct public tours during the visit. There's also a unique opportunity for 40 members of the public to sign up as crew between ports. The fee for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is $750 US. The last leg of the voyage to Halifax starts in Bath, Me.