Mistral aground

[Wilson Fitt]

I just heard that the great Herreshoff schooner Mistral is aground on Thrumcap Shoal at the mouth of Halifax harbour. Thrumcap is made of loose boulders fully exposed to open water at the eastern approaches to the harbour. It's blowing 15 or more from the south west and the tide is low so they are no doubt taking a severe beating. Apparently there is a boat trying to get a line onto her. Hopefully they will be taken off before the integrity of the structure is too badly compromised.

All this from one of my sons who is standing by a VHF.

We passed by Mistral yesterday as they were coming into the harbour (going the other way, not overtaking, I hasten to point out). A wonderful sight as always.

I'll let you know what I hear about the outcome.

[Wild Dingo]

Geeeez hope she aint to badly hurt out there...

Thanks for the tipoff Wilson

Take it easy
Shane

[mmd]

The Thrumcap can be a nasty spot, I hope she found a sandy spot and gets off soon. It has been a pleasure to have her in Lunenburg these past couple of years. Here's hoping that she and her crew escape this misadventure with only minor scrapes & bruises. It is pretty breezy here in Bridgewater today, too.

[Wilson Fitt]

Latest from the radio traffic is that only the spars are showing. No specific comment about the crew so we hope that they were taken off safely.

[Wilson Fitt]

Apparently all the crew have been taken off safely.

[mmd]

I hope that she is salvageable without too much damage. She recently underwent a huge refit (hundreds of thousands of dollars) and looked to be a floating piece of jewellery when I was aboard her early last spring. There is certainly the floating hardware in port to service the offshore oil patch to be able to pick her up bodily and transport her to a repair site. It will be a shame to lose such a graceful Herreshoff original.

[Wilson Fitt]

I just drove out to have a look from 2 or 3 miles away. Mistral is now upright and rolling heavily. A Coast Guard cutter is nearby but I couldn't see what was going on. It's just getting dark and high tide is a couple of hours off. Wind and sea are moderate, although the location is very exposed. So there seems to be a good chance that the boat will be saved.

I'll be away all day tomorrow, so unless someone else from around here has updates to post, you'll have to wait for the sequel.

[mmd]

Thanks for the yeoman reporting duty so far, Wilson. I'll contact a buddy in Dartmouth to see if he can get an update tomorrow.

[reddog]

The morning paper reports she has been freed but gives no update on her condition.Keep us posted.
Earl

[Ron Williamson]

Is there a photo of her someplace?
If it is the same Mistral( :eek: )that was in our neighbourhood a few years ago,I may cry.
We see lots of boats around here,and most of them aren't much to look at,but Mistral....sigh
R

[mmd]

Yes, Ron, I believe it is the same boat. She toured te Great Lakes when she was re-launched in the summer of 2001. She has a dark green hull with acres of varnished teak on deck. A spectacular boat. Below is a copy of her sailplan drawing from Herreshoff's "Sensible Cruising Designs":

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid31/pa5ba73f26d5a9f4f99f9c210555f112a/fd4ad1bc.gif

[mmd]

I believe that the only Mistral in Nova Scotia is the original 1937 one.

[Thad]

How did things work out for the MISTRAL. Many people here remember her well.

[Wilson Fitt]

Good news: Mistral (and yes we are talking about the original) was seen leaving Halifax under her own power this morning. I don't know anyone who has any details of the outcome of the grounding. They may well be heading for Lunenburg where there is gear large enough for a haulout, so maybe MMD and Reddog can keep an eye out.

[mmd]

I plan to be in Lunenburg on business tomorrow so I'll nose around to see what I can find out. Word travels fast - I have received numerous e-mails from around the globe asking about her. Thanks for keeping up on this, Wilson.

[reddog]

Thanks for the heads up Wilson.I too will keep my eyes and ears peeled for any further info.I would expect they will head for a secure port with Gustav expected in the area by tonight.
Earl

[Chris Coose]

Yes Thad,
I remember her as princess of the harbor.
Glad to hear she is at least sitting on her waterline.

[mmd]

Yes, indeedy, Mistral is in Lunenburg at the jetty below Scotia Trawlers. smile.gif I was in a hurry to get to a meeting in Halifax, so I didn't have time to strike up a conversation with any of the crew to find out the gory details, but she seems unharmed. There was no visible scars on her stbd side, no evidence of interior items placed out to dry, and no indication of any pumps, so any damage received must be minor. I'll be in Lunenburg again next week and I'll check then to see if she gets hauled out for inspection. Good to see that the old girl is up & around.

[Bayboat]

Whew!! Thanks, MMD for the good news. Mistral is one of those international treasures that are getting fewer and farther between.

[reddog]

Yes,we were by around noon on Friday and she appeared to be moored off and looking well.
Earl

[andrew britt]

For more on the MISTRAL and her refit, go to the BAUM & KONIG site at http://www.classic-yachts.de/Brokerage/brokerage.htm Some great pictures too. I remember her launch. Andy Britt
andybritt1@aol.com

[Concordia..41]

Andrew - Haven't found Mistral info yet, but have spent way too much time alternately drooling on and then cleaning the keyboard.

There should be a XXX boat porn warning! :eek:

- M

[rodcross]

I had only glanced at this thread when Wilson first posted and then I remembered the spectacular green schooner I nearly hit when I was backing out of the gas dock at Scotia Trawler. (Not really. ALITA's bow has a will of its own when in reverse. I cleared MISTRAL's bowsprit by 20' and the pilings at the end of the wharf by about the same.)

Later, I went in to have a closer look at her. WOW! Everything was pristine, almost too much so, as if the boat had never sailed. I learned the owner was a german who insisted on perfection. He got it! She looked like a band new boat.

What a shame that after all that time, effort and expense she was put up for sale, almost before all the work was done.

By the way. How'd she end up on Thrumcap, anyway? MISTRAL is loaded with modern navigational gear.