History of the Nova Scotia Schooner Association



The Nova Scotia Schooner Association (NSSA) was founded on July 25, 1961 aboard the Schooner ADARE in Hubbards Cove, Nova Scotia. The idea to form a Nova Scotia association for owners of wooden schooners built in the province was born at a meeting of the Auxiliary Fleet of the Armdale Yacht Club (AYC) in the fall of 1959. Guest Speaker at the meeting was Rear Admiral (Ret'd) Hugh F. Pullen, who suggested that an association be formed of schooner owners interested in preserving, maintaining and furthering interest in Nova Scotia Schooners of all types, as well as co-operating with the Maritime Museum of Canada. Although the idea was enthusiastically received by those present, it was not until 1961 when AYC's Past Commodore John Snow, assisted by Ted Lane, organized what was called 'The Nova Scotia Schooner Championship'. Invitations were sent to all known schooner owners to come to Hubbards Cove in St. Margaret's Bay for a race on July 25th of that year. The event was an enormous success, with eleven schooners taking part. During the first schooner meeting, on invitation from Brigadier (Ret'd) Victor deB. Oland, the skippers gathered aboard his beautiful schooner ADARE (built in 1905 on Tancook Island) where the Nova Scotia Schooner Association was formed.