Visit from the brass

Today we were visited by Ken Burton, Executive Director of the Vancouver Maritime Museum. In 2000, Captain Burton was the commander of the RCMP Patrol Vessel Nadon during the Vancouver Maritime Museum epic re-creation of the voyage of the original St Roch. Our little study models are small versions of the full size features which we will be constructing as part of a planned rebuilding of the Children's Maritime Discovery Centre at the Vancouver Maritime Museum. Ken was here to inspect the models and talk about the timetable for the project. 

Ken's visit was posted to the museum's Facebook page this afternoon featuring Sarah painting the model. "The Imagination Corporation are hard at work on a miniature model of the Beaver for our Children's Maritime Discovery Centre! The finished model (along with other maritime themed concept models) will be on display at our Arctic Gala. Dan Sawatzky of the Imagination Corporation will be on hand for the event as well. Make sure you check it out! http://www.vmm-gala.com/entertainment/

Toot, Toot!

The second model I sculpted today was a little, steam powered tugboat. I still have to add the steam whistle and some piping. It is designed to give younger kids a place to be captain, imagining all kinds of wonderful, sea faring adventures. One side of the boat will be open to allow the kids to enter the pilot house of the diminutive wooden boat.

Telling the story

We love to tell stories visually. This little piece is a complete story in itself. Those who know a little Canadian history and are good at solving puzzles should be able to figure out the name of the ship. Clues abound for those who look closely.

The name of the boat is the BEAVER. This is given away by the beaver swimming down to the wreck.  The Beaver was the first steamship to operate in the Pacific Northwest of North America. She served off the coast from 1836 until 1888 when she was wrecked by an inebriated crew who ran her aground on rocks at Prospect Point. The gaping hole in the side of the shop and the rocks on which the ship leans give more clues. Adjacent to the bow of the ship, partially buried in the silty bottom are two empty bottles with the label XXX, telling that part of the sad tale. The model is based on a historical photo.