The Journey of the 'Northumberland' from Norway to Nova Scotia. More than just a successful ship delivery.
Old meets New, it was in the year of 1773, to be more specific September 15th. the Dutch built Fluyt design ship “Hector” landed in Pictou, Nova Scotia. It was carrying 189 settlers, mostly originating from Loch Broom, Scottish Highlands. “Hector” was among some other vessels the first of a wave bringing in settlers to Nova Scotia in Canada.
Fluyt ships are characterized by a spacious cargo hold, a flat bottom, and relatively narrow width, optimized for carrying large volumes of cargo without the need for many cannons. It was a revolutionary design and widely employed by the Dutch East India Company (DEIC). Amongst deployment for the DEIC, which slowly came to an end by 1800, the vessels were leased out or even sold to other competitor seagoing nations like the British.The voyage from Loch Broom towards Nova Scotia itself took 11 weeks, including a 14 days delay caused by a gale off Newfoundland, not raising the claim of 18 lives due to dysentery and smallpox.
Replica “Hector” being at final outfitting stages at the Hector Heritage Quay, her launch is scheduled to be materialized July 12th 2025. The superstructure of lady “Northumberland” can be seen in the right background.
The arrival of those onboard the Hector, as well as those Scottish settlers who followed, made enormous cultural, political, intellectual and industrial contributions that shaped Nova Scotia and surroundings. Now, 252 years later, to be more specific January 26th 2025, came another milestone for Pictou and the residents of Prince Edwards Island (PEI). A sturdy Norwegian well built, double end ferry called lady “Northumberland” appeared at Pictou’s icy horizon. The ferry of a LMG 212-DEG design was built in 2006 and retrofitted in 2024. No more settlers onboard, but a highly qualified Redwise delivery crew complement of Dutch and Indonesian nationalities delivering the vessel all the way from Fiskarstrand – Norway.
The vessel, not being the usual seagoing craft, versus the Winter North Atlantic weather conditions in full ornament, was routed via the South. This was done in close consultation Redwise and: the flag administration, class society DNV, insurers, underwriters, our master and crew, whom duly selected and fit for the voyage of which most under permanent contract. The voyage covered a stunning 7.400 nautical miles, limited to just only 34 days transit WNA.
Starting with the first enquiries January 2023, the actual voyage mobilisation started at Fiskarstrand on December 10th, nearly two years in the making. Crew familiarisation was carried out and the transport was well provisioned and stored with necessary items and spares. A change of flag surveys was conducted, increasingly strict EU legislation was complied with, additional tank containers were installed and fuelled, bow doors and ramps were duly sea fastened and additionally secured. Of course, all under a strict and pragmatic watching eye of insurers marine warranty surveyor.
The vessel departed Fiskarstrand just before Christmas. It was piloted south through the inner, sheltered Fjord route down to Stavanger and was able to proceed further down south across the North Sea, English Channel, Bay of Biscay all the way up to the Cabo Verde without any weather delays. First refuelling was done at Mindelo including the additional tank containers in order to commence her next leg towards the Caribbean. The transport awaited a pair of days offshore St. Kitts to let a depression pass prior proceeding to Hamilton, Bermuda. The additional tank containers where at that time empty and offloaded, as much as international species offloaded allowing a trouble-free Canadian arrival. The last leg from Bermuda towards Nova Scotia shores was the most challenging part of the voyage, both weather and sea wise, with inclement weather systems developing in no time. The lady “Northumberland” kept up well under the ever-watching eye of the master and crew.
On a sunny, Sunday 26th of January 2025, she arrived, mighty and in all her glory at the icy shores of Nova Scotia. Her inbound path was cleared by the Canadian icebreaker “Jean Goodwill” and welcomed into town under great interest of the community and journalists.
Lady “Northumberland”, owned and operated by the Canadian government is expected to start service May 1st after the idle winter season, serving the route Wood Islands, PEI, to Caribou, NS. We are pleased to refer to the site of NFL to show her arrival in the ice, key features and route details.
Redwise is extremely proud that it has been given ones again the opportunity to contribute successfully and be part of this vessel replacement program. Another form of pride will brighten our faces at the season kick-off with the knowledge that the descendants from the settlers aboard “Hector” now will, and can rely onto an essential, reliable ferry service connecting communities, travellers, businesses, tourism and industries. For many, the mighty Strait Northumberland symbolizes connection, carrying countless stories and bridging communities, for now and in the future.
