Press/Stories
Irish immigrant ship "Jeanie Johnston" returns to New Brunswick in August
June 13, 2003 – The replica of the 19th century immigrant ship “Jeanie Johnston” is set to make her triumphant entry into Canada in August. She will arrive in St. Andrews August 15th and Saint John August 20th, staying in each port for five days. Saint John Port Authority is leading preparations for her stay in the port city.
"The ship weathered earlier financial and organizational storms so the project could be brought to a successful conclusion," said a very pleased Captain Al Soppitt, President and CEO of the Port Authority. "After a series of sea trials in Ireland, she departed for North America arriving in Florida in late April. Since then, she has been working her way up the Eastern Seaboard where several local people have already had a chance to see her in U.S. ports-of-call.”
“The ship is a wonder to behold,” he said, “with her three, fully rigged masts towering skyward and a below deck layout that simulates emigrant conditions of travel during the 19th century." Soppitt praised organizers in Ireland for their efforts to ensure that this splendid reminder of our heritage was brought to a successful conclusion and looks forward to seeing the ship in New Brunswick for all to experience and enjoy.
"Three years ago, the Saint John Port Authority and the St. Andrews Jeanie Johnson Committee adopted the proposed call of the ship as millennium projects," Soppitt explained. "In spite of setbacks, interest groups in both communities stayed the course, keeping in touch with Ireland about the ship's progress and maintaining contact with each other. A lot of credit has to go to Sheila Washburn in St. Andrews," Soppitt added. "Sheila never lost faith in this project with the result that the ship will finally be coming to New Brunswick."
Washburn stated that the St. Andrews community is "delighted she's making her return, especially at this time, 150 years after the original Jeanie Johnston landed here in November, 1853. She arrived with close to 200 brave souls after being forced by relentless storms to change course from her destination of Quebec City from Tralee, Ireland." Washburn confirmed that a local committee has been re-activated to make certain the community takes full advantage of the historic occasion. "We intend to do all we can to celebrate her arrival with plans for a dramatic re-enactment of events of the time, in a play called ‘Bound From Tralee’," she noted.
The Saint John Port Authority is also hard at work, making arrangements for a five-day visit that will include many activities in celebration of the history of Irish immigration to one of Canada's most Irish of cities. "Saint John was one of the major ports of call for the famine ships that brought thousands of men, women and children to the Maritimes between the years 1845 to 1855," said Anne Gilbride, Chair of the Saint John committee. "The Jeanie Johnston will bring that period of history back to life for all of us," she continued. "To ensure a successful visit, we'll be asking the community to rally in a concerted effort that will involve local organizations and businesses sponsoring special events during the ship’s stay."
In each port, the Jeanie Johnston will be open for public tours complemented by on-dock activities and will entertain privately sponsored evening receptions to help raise funds for the ship. There will be an entrance fee to board the ship and view the below-deck museum. The St. Andrews and Saint John committees intend to create a dockside festival atmosphere during the ship’s stay in port.
When the “Jeanie Johnston” departs from Saint John, 'sail trainees' will be able to sign on as members of the crew for the four-day voyage to Halifax. A fee of $900.00 Canadian will apply for anyone interested in this once-in-a-lifetime experience of sailing on an authentic, 19th century barque. Interested parties should contact Paula Small at Saint John Port Authority (506-636-5859) for further information or visit the Jeanie Johnston web site at www.jeaniejohnston.ie for direct bookings.
Captain Soppitt, who is from County Antrim in Northern Ireland, has a special interest in the project that extends beyond the Jeanie Johnston's pending visit to Saint John. “Sponsored by the International Fund for Ireland, this project has involved youth from both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and is a strong catalyst for co-operation and goodwill between the north and south,” he said. “Like the Belfast Children Initiative here in Saint John, this is yet another example of how new understanding can be nourished between the two communities and it can only strengthen efforts to bring lasting peace in our society.”