Dartmouth woman floats plans for Bluenose III

The great-granddaughter of the Bluenose designerplans to build a second replica of the famous racing schooner.

Joan Roue of Dartmouth has begun a campaign to raise $15 million forthe Bluenose III, which she said couldreplacethe Bluenose II.

"She's a wooden vessel, and obviously wood is a perishable item and the time is coming where she is not going to be able to fulfil the duties that we need for her to fulfil," Roue said.

William James Roue designed the Bluenose, which was launched in Lunenburg, N.S.,in March 1921. The schooner won races throughout the 1920s and 1930s.

After the vessel was sold and eventually wrecked, a replica was built in 1963 from Roue's plans. The Bluenose II was donated to the province and isused to promoteNova Scotia tourism and trade.

Roue said she has access to the original plans for the schooner because of her family ties. Shehopes to build the Bluenose III without government funding and see it sailing by 2010.

"Then hopefully the province will decide to retire the Bluenose II and maybe even leave her in Lunenburg as a floating museum," Roue said.

Roue said all she needs from the province is permission to use the Bluenose name.

A spokeswoman for the Tourism Department says the Bluenose III proposal is under review.

"The department has received a proposal but has not at this time made a decision to support it," Wendy Barnable told the Chronicle Herald newspaper.