Statue of Sir Samuel Cunard Unveiled
October 10, 2006
Halifax, NS (October 10, 2006) - The Honourable Mayann E. Francis O.N.S, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, will dedicate a monument to the legacy of Sir Samuel Cunard, a Halifax, Nova Scotia native, who revolutionized commerce and communications between continents by successfully introducing steamships to the North Atlantic nearly two centuries ago.
Immediately following the dedication ceremony, a statue will be unveiled by Carol Marlow, President, Cunard Line, and Jack Keith, President, The Halifax Foundation.
The bronze statue, created by sculptor Peter Bustin, will show Cunard standing beside a ship's telegraph, symbolic of steamship travel. It will be located on the boardwalk overlooking the site of the Cunard Wharf and the present cruise ship terminal.
The Sir Samuel Cunard Memorial Project is a unique initiative of The Halifax Foundation, commemorating this remarkable man and his Nova Scotia roots.
"Sir Samuel Cunard was a world force in the development of ocean transport," said The Honourable Alan R. Abraham, Vice Chairman, The Halifax Foundation and Chairman of the project committee. "It is only right that a monument be dedicated to him in the place where he was born and his business ventures began."
The project has received moral and financial support from several sponsors, including Cunard Line, which made a substantial contribution at the start of the fundraising efforts, CN, The Halifax Foundation, The Halifax Port Authority, Secunda Marine Limited, The Bank of Nova Scotia, and The Waterfront Development Corporation and the committee members.
Cunard Line's flagship, Queen Mary 2, will be in Halifax on October 7th and company representatives will take part in the dedication ceremony.
"Queen Mary 2's inaugural visit in 2004 rekindled the inseparable ties between Halifax as the birthplace of Samuel Cunard and Cunard Line," said Commodore Ronald Warwick, recently retired master of the Queen Mary 2 and Honourary Chairman of the project committee.
"It is an honour to be involved with this project and to have Sir Samuel Cunard on permanent watch when Cunard liners visit Halifax. The dedication of this monument visibly reinforces the Cunard legacy and our connection with the people of Nova Scotia," added Commodore Warwick.
For more than half a century, the S. Cunard & Company wharves on the Halifax waterfront were the centre of a vast shipping empire. Cunard became the foremost entrepreneur in Halifax and one of the largest owners of merchant vessels.
Samuel Cunard was a visionary who foresaw steam power replacing sail on the North Atlantic. He became the pioneer of ocean steam navigation when the paddle steamer Britannia, first flagship of the British & North American Royal Mail Steam Packet Company, later known as Cunard Line, arrived in Halifax July 17th, 1840, on its maiden voyage from Liverpool, England.
"The monument is a gift to the community from The Halifax Foundation and the sponsors who helped make it happen," said Abraham. "Cunard is arguably the most formative businessman from Atlantic Canada and we are proud to recognize him for his accomplishments."
About The Halifax Foundation
The Halifax Foundation is the only community foundation in Nova Scotia, serving the whole of the Halifax Regional Municipality and representing it in the Canadian Capital Cities Organization. The Halifax Foundation differs from most other charitable organizations in that it customarily invests capital contributions and spends only from earnings, rather than capital, in this way guaranteeing performance forever of the purpose(s) sought by donor(s). All of the Halifax Foundation's Directors are volunteers, appointed by a committee of the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, Chief Justice of Nova Scotia, Mayor of the Halifax Regional Municipality, Deputy Minister of Justice of Nova Scotia, and the President of the Metropolitan Halifax Chamber of Commerce.
About Cunard Line
Cunard Line has operated the most famous ocean liners in the world since 1840. Cunard vessels have a classic British heritage and include the legendary Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Mary 2. Queen Victoria joins the fleet in 2007.
Cunard Line is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. The exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises, Windstar Cruises and The Yachts of Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest, and a commitment to quality and value, member lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets. Together they offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations.
