There are not many places in the world where a full-sized galleon replica can survive (and even thrive) as a museum ship. The Golden Hinde replica is that ship and London is that place. Many ordinary citizens, let alone history enthusiasts, don’t need to be told who Sir Francis Drake was (athough they might notContinue reading “Clio’s Armada: The Golden Hinde in London”
Tag Archives: Heritage
Clio’s Armada: Hōkūleʻa and the Polynesian Voyaging Society
I’ve tried hard to devote serious attention in this blog to Indigenous boatbuilding and replica craft. And honestly, it hasn’t been difficult. Maritime Indigenous nations around the world have been using heritage boatbuilding as a celebration, as a chance to share skills, and sometimes to rediscover lost or endangered arts. One of the stellar examplesContinue reading “Clio’s Armada: Hōkūleʻa and the Polynesian Voyaging Society”
Clio’s Armada: The R. Tucker Thompson and Sail Training for Youth
In 2023 I got to co-create and install an exhibition on the R. Tucker Thompson, which I wanted to call “Dreamwrights” (!) but was eventually convinced to title “Tall Ship, Big Dreams: The Story of the R. Tucker Thompson”. Not only was the exhibition a labour of love, but it was also the satisfactory conclusionContinue reading “Clio’s Armada: The R. Tucker Thompson and Sail Training for Youth”
New History Talk: Heritage Boatbuilding Projects Around the World
Based on our popular blog series, Tom has prepared a new talk discussing heritage boatbuilding projects around the world. Boaties, museum professionals, sailors, and other historiophiles will find interesting stories, analysis, and opportunities to discuss CLIO’S ARMADA: Heritage Boat-Building Projects Around the World. Length: 1 hour (45 minutes plus discussion time).Recommended audience: 3-30 personsDelivered via:Continue reading “New History Talk: Heritage Boatbuilding Projects Around the World”
Clio’s Armada: Moomat Ahiko and traditional Indigenous planked canoes
The Ti’at Society of California built Moomat Ahiko, a ti’at canoe in the 1990s in the traditional manner of Indigenous peoples of what is now California. This type of vessel is unique in North America, having been called “…the single most technologically complex watercraft built in North America…” I saw a short documentary about thisContinue reading “Clio’s Armada: Moomat Ahiko and traditional Indigenous planked canoes”
Clio’s Armada: The Nonsuch replica and the Manitoba Museum
In 1968 the Nonsuch replica ketch was built, commemorating the 300th anniversary of its voyage and in advance of the tercentenary in 1970 of the Hudson’s Bay Company’s charter. Few corporations have had such a tremendous impact, for good and for ill, on modern Canada (and areas of the U.S.) as the Hudson’s Bay Company.Continue reading “Clio’s Armada: The Nonsuch replica and the Manitoba Museum”
Clio’s Armada: Napoleon III and His Trireme
When I first began to delve into the topic of heritage boatbuilding, I wondered what the first modern example of it might be. The earliest I have found is that of Napoleon III and his 1860s efforts to rebuild a classical Hellenic trireme (!). That’s just a great sentence. Victorian Europe was fascinated by theirContinue reading “Clio’s Armada: Napoleon III and His Trireme”
Clio’s Armada: Métis Bateau and Fort Langley National Historic Site
Over the Winter and Spring of 2020/2021 Fort Langley National Historic Site contracted a Métis carpenter to help complete a new bateau for display in the replica HBC post. These bateaux were a go-to craft for the Hudson’s Bay Company tripmen in places such as British Columbia (then called the Columbia District) and northern AlbertaContinue reading “Clio’s Armada: Métis Bateau and Fort Langley National Historic Site”
Clio’s Armada: Viracocha I, II, and III and the South American reed boat tradition
I’ve never seen any of the Viracocha rafts myself in person, but I did marvel at reed boats in Peru. When I heard about the Viracocha expeditions I read about them eagerly. I was as inspired by Kon-Tiki as most, and it seems that adventurer Phil Buck took it in an interesting direction. Buck hasContinue reading “Clio’s Armada: Viracocha I, II, and III and the South American reed boat tradition”
Clio’s Armada: Ngātokimatawhaorua and the Waitangi Treaty Grounds
I spent almost two years in New Zealand/Aotearoa and found some magnificent examples of heritage boat-building among the Indigenous Maori and the settler Pakeha peoples. One of my favourite stories was Ngātokimatawhaorua, a waka (canoe), built in the 1930s. It taught me so much about how heritage boatbuilding can be meaningful to communities, both toContinue reading “Clio’s Armada: Ngātokimatawhaorua and the Waitangi Treaty Grounds”
North Wind Heritage Consulting 