Countdown to Ship Hector’s Launch

A milestone moment in Nova Scotia’s maritime and cultural heritage is fast approaching. After five years of restoration work, the Ship Hector, a symbol of Scottish immigration and perseverance, will once again take to the waters on July 12, 2025, marking a new era for the ship’s storied history.

The launch event will include a formal ceremony, cultural performances, heritage displays, and the highly anticipated dockside launch of the Hector into Pictou Harbour – a rare spectacle, as traditional ship launches of this kind are seldom seen today.

“The side launch of the ship will be an unforgettable sight, and spectators can expect quite a show when the Hector makes her big splash,” says Vern Shea, project manager for the restoration. “Seven sliding ways will be positioned under the Hector, secured, and when released, will allow the vessel to slide down the standing ways and into Pictou Harbour. Once afloat, she’ll be stabilized and inspected before being secured at Pier C.”  The opportunity to step aboard for deck tours will be available when all post launch preparations are completed in the days following the launch. Visitors will be able to experience the ship’s craftsmanship up close while the vessel is afloat.

Bring history to life

Beyond the launch itself, visitors can also immerse themselves in heritage experiences that bring history to life, including Gaelic song workshops, an 84^th Regiment Afoot Encampment, Highland dancing, and bagpiping performances that celebrate Scottish traditions. Members of Pictou Landing First Nation will participate in the Ship Hector launch through cultural expressions and contributions to the day’s program highlighting the connection between the Mi’kmaq people and early settlers. Hands-on maritime activities, such as blacksmithing and knot-tying will showcase skills that shaped seafaring life in the 18^th century and genealogy experts will be on hand to help Ship Hector descendants trace their family roots, connecting past and present.

Throughout the entire launch weekend, Pictou will be alive with festivities, from free outdoor waterfront concerts and a Pictou Yacht Club regatta to a headline Launch Day concert at the deCoste Performing Arts Centre. Adding to the excitement, the iconic Bluenose II will make a special visit to Pictou, welcoming guests aboard for deck tours. Local restaurants will also be stepping up, hosting live entertainment and offering themed specials. As phase one of the ship’s restoration nears completion, the Ship Hector Society is also completing a major transformation of the Hector Heritage Quay Interpretive Centre. Supported entirely by federal and provincial funding, the new centre will feature interactive exhibits that tell the story of the Scottish settlers’ partnership with the Indigenous Mi’kmaq people of Pik’tuk.

Honouring the legacy of those who came before us

On September 15, 1773, approximately 200 Highland Scots arrived aboard the Ship Hector to Nova Scotia. They were the first of thousands to come to Canada and the Hector was the first ship to bring emigrants directly from Scotland to Nova Scotia. “Launching the Hector is more than just putting a ship in the water,” said Wes Surrett, Chair of the Ship Hector Society. “It’s about honouring the legacy of those who came before us and the shared stories that continue to shape who we are – stories of immigration, resilience, and community. The settlers who arrived on the Hector wouldn’t have survived without the help of the Mi’kmaq people, who have long stewarded the lands and waters of Piktuk. That early relationship, and the generations of perseverance that followed, laid the foundation for who we are today. This launch is about honouring all of that. It’s a moment for everyone who sees themselves in the history of the Hector.”

The Ship Hector is set to evolve beyond its role as a dockside attraction. The next phase of this ambitious project will see the vessel transformed into Canada’s largest fully rigged, electric-powered passenger sailing vessel, offering tours and sail training programs. Targeting full operational status by summer 2027, the Hector will serve as a landmark of Canadian heritage, a premier tourism destination for Nova Scotia, and a vital economic driver for the region. With the final phase of work expected to begin after the ship is back in the water, the “Charting Our Course” capital campaign aims to raise an additional $1.8 million to com

On July 12, 2025, history will make waves once more as the Ship Hector replica returns to the water in a spectacular public event dubbed ‘The Big Splash’. Two decades after the original launch in 2000 and after five years of meticulous restoration, thousands are expected to gather on the Pictou waterfront to witness this rare and emotional moment in Nova Scotia’s story.

Visit www.shiphector.ca for full event details and updates.