It's hard to imagine that on December 6, 2014, St Nicholas Day – the patron Saint of seafarers and on a full moon and high tide those several hundred well wishers present on the shore of Browne’s Beach knew what would come of the day's festivities. They were there to launch the Schooner RUTH. What they set in motion is a legacy that continues to this day.
Who could have predicted that Schooner RUTH would become the Pride of Barbados — a traditional Grand Banks fishing interisland cargo schooner built entirely on the beach by skilled Barbadian and Caribbean craftsmen. Perhaps those who built the unmatched vessel had an inkling. In time, all would come to revere the legendary schooner.
Today, the spirit and history live on as Barbados’ sailing ambassador and flagship of the Blue Star Youth Seamanship Sailing Program.
Schooner RUTH is a proud representative of Barbados and our maritime heritage and the story continues.
For a decade Schooner RUTH was incrementally built on the beach on Bay Street, many lapses between work to resuscitate finance and funding but with the love and affection and good will of her neighbors and well wishers the project was bound for completion. Conceived by Barbadian Canadian Ian Dash as a youth tall ship training platform and rejuvenated historic Speightstown cargo schooner the Government of Barbados gave its blessing to proceed. Undaunted by a scarcity of funds and the shear magnitude of the undertaking Mr Dash and his highly skilled and talented team clawed ahead until launch in 2014.
Schooner RUTH has acted as Barbados Sailing Ambassador and youth sail training vessel ever since. Competing successfully showing the Barbados flag at Antigua Classic Sailing Week, St Barts and St Kitts and Barbados Sailing weeks and regattas and the historic Barbados maritime anniversary and Republic Day sail parade RUTH has visited ports throughout the Eastern Caribbean, welcoming visitors and serving as a constant link to the glorious age of sail.
Schooners played a pivotal role in Caribbean maritime transport and trade. These sailing vessels with their distinctive two masts and fore and aft sailing rig proved to be highly efficient versatile fast and manoueverable making them a popular choice for sailors and merchants alike.
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