Setting sail

This year’s Lake Superior Day at Prince Arthur’s Landing had a special guest – the tall ship Sorlandet.

The Norwegian ship docked in the city’s harbour in order to celebrate the event on Sunday. Residents were able to come on board and meet the crew. The fully rigged ship was first built in 1927 in a local shipyard in Kristiansand.

Since her maiden voyage to Oslo, the Sorlandet had many journeys including a cruise to the Chicago World Fair in 1933.

It wasn’t until 1981 that the Ship Sorlandet Foundation saved the vessel and started running her as a training ship. The ship houses the Class Afloat program that offers Canadian high school and college students to come on board for an education on the sea.

The program takes up to 60 students.

Penny Ellard took her two children, who are in sea cadets, through the ship. She noticed it was much bigger than she first thought and was glad that they could speak to the crew about the ship and about the program.

“We don’t usually see something like this,” Ellard said referring to seeing a tall ship in the city’s harbour.

Reggie Duncan also admired the ship. He said he would like to see more ships come into the city’s harbour.

“I think it is very education,” he said. “Anyone who wants to learn how to sail, this is the place.”

The ship’s first officer John Svendsen said they came to the event while being a part of the Great Lakes challenge. Within the last year, the ship has traveled from West Africa, the Caribbean and to Nova Scotia.

Svendsen believes learning on a ship can teach many skills including leadership and good character.

“I sailed on the US Coast Guard Cutter Eagle and they told me that within the first gale they could define who the next admirals would be as cadets,” he said. “I always say that we bring seamanship to every community we visit. It’s an opportunity to step back in time and see how the tradition of sailing has in integrated into all of our navies throughout the world.”

He added that the ship probably wouldn’t make a return voyage to the city next year.

The ship will be leaving Tuesday morning. Ship tours are $3 and free for children under three.

Although there was lots to see above the water, there was some activity under Lake Superior as well.

Volunteers with Eco Divers were in the water clearing out various items including trash, tires and old, rusted nails from docks and ships.

Nova Donaldson, who volunteers with the group, said about 18 divers went into the water to try to clean up the shoreline a bit. She said the area used to have a grain elevator so there’s lots of metal that’s just lying around and needs to be cleaned up.

“We have some of the best water and some of the most amazing things in the Northwest and we really do have to look after it,” she said.

“That’s not being preachy or anything like that. It’s just the right thing to do.”

Ashley Priem, program coordinator for EcoSuperior, said Lake Superior Day is intended to give people a chance to reflect and appreciate the large body of water.

“The tall ship is a great draw to bring people down but I also think that it reminds people that our lake is connected to the other Great Lakes, which are connected to the ocean,” she said. “Whatever happens upstream or downstream is going to affect us. We’re lucky to be where we are. Superior is definitely the cleanest of the Great Lakes.”