If you’re ever in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, be sure to step aboard a true piece of history—Theresa E. Connor, the last of the saltbank schooners to ever operate out of this historic port, a schooner that represents a way of life that sustained generations of fishermen along the Atlantic coast.
Built in 1938 at the iconic Smith and Rhuland Shipyard, which also gave rise to the world-famous Bluenose, Theresa E. Connor was part of a proud fleet of schooners that once dominated the waters of the Atlantic. She’s not just any old boat—she’s a living, breathing symbol of the fishing heritage that shaped this part of Canada. In fact, the schooner is the flagship of the Fisheries Museum, and visitors are invited to explore her decks, peek below the surface into the exhibits, and learn about the life of schooner fishermen firsthand.
During your visit, retired fishermen from the saltbank days bring the history alive with stories of their time out on the banks. As you walk through the vessel, you’ll get a sense of what it was like to sail the unpredictable Atlantic, braving the elements in search of the day’s catch.
The life of the schooner Theresa E. Connor is a reminder of an era that spanned nearly a century, from the heyday of schooner fishing to the arrival of modern trawlers. Launched on December 14, 1938, under the careful guidance of Captain Clarence Knickle, Theresa E. Connor was originally owned by the Maritime National Fish Company of Halifax. For years, she and her crew sailed across the Atlantic, catching fish with dories, a tradition that had been passed down for generations.
In total, over 120 men served aboard Theresa E. Connor between 1938 and 1966, hailing from small communities across Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, including Blue Rocks, Bayport, Beaumont, Poole’s Cove, and St. Bernard’s. Some of the most enduring memories of these men can still be heard today, as they recount their adventures on the fishing banks.
Even as the age of trawlers arrived, Theresa E. Connor remained a workhorse. She continued to fish well into the 1960s, using the time-honored methods of dory fishing. But by 1963, after one last attempt to head out to the fishing banks, Captain Harry Oxner and his crew found themselves in the final chapter of the schooner’s commercial fishing life. That year, Theresa E. Connor spent much of her time fishing the Labrador fishery, and by 1966, she was retired from active service.
It wasn’t the end of her story, though. In 1967, the Lunenburg Marine Museum Society purchased the vessel, and Theresa E. Connor began her second life as a museum exhibit. On July 23 of that year, Mrs. Roland Hurst, the daughter of Theresa Eleanor Connor (after whom the schooner is named), officially opened the Museum to the public, marking a new chapter in the schooner’s long history.
Since then, Theresa E. Connor has undergone several restoration projects, and the results are truly impressive. The most notable changes have occurred in the fish hold, once a dark and cramped space where up to 425,000 pounds of fish were stored. Now well-lit, the hold houses fascinating exhibits that tell the story of both the salt and fresh fishing industries.
Perhaps the most beautiful restoration can be found in the forecastle. In 1988, the forward section of the schooner underwent meticulous repairs, bringing the area back to its original state, with hand-grained woodwork that echoes the craftsmanship of a bygone era.
Theresa E. Connor isn’t alone in the Museum—she’s joined by the side trawler Cape Sable and a variety of smaller boats that offer an even deeper dive into the world of Atlantic fisheries. From the vessels themselves to the galleries, exhibits, and even the theater, there’s no shortage of ways to immerse yourself in the rich history of this remarkable region.
So, next time you find yourself in Lunenburg, make sure to visit the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic and take a step back in time aboard Theresa E. Connor. You’ll leave with a greater appreciation for the courage, dedication, and spirit of those who sailed these waters for generations.
