News release

First Phase of Historical Restoration Complete

Nova Scotia Museum

The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic held a ceremony today, Nov. 14, to celebrate the completion of the first phase of work in the restoration of a significant Nova Scotian sail boat.

For the past year, museum boatbuilder Eamonn Doorly has been restoring Whim, a 37-foot, C-Class sloop, designed by Chester native Reuben Heisler in 1937.

In the 1930s, Mr. Heisler was approached by a group of local yachtsmen with concerns over the lack of variety in the area's sailing vessels. Mr. Heisler responded by designing the C-Class sloop, or Chester C, a cruising yacht that quickly became renowned in the Chester Basin and beyond. Whim was one of the first sloops built in the series.

In attendance at today's ceremony was the boat's original owner, Alberta Baker, who was 15 years old when she was given Whim as a present from her family. Mrs. Baker has kept Whim for the past 70 years and decided, last year, to donate the boat to the Maritime Museum so that it could be preserved for the appreciation of future generations.

Joining Mrs. Baker for the dedication ceremony was Wayne Heisler, grandson of Reuben Heisler.

The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is located at 1675 Lower Water St., Halifax. To view the progress of the restoration project online, visit museum.gov.ns.ca/mma/AtoZ/Whim.html .