Look at the bigger mariti Donatd M. Currie Contributing Writer THERE are some things that really both- er me about the Cape Breton Project. “he city has fost nwo pre- vious opportunities for a major maritime project. First was the schooner Sz. Roach. This vessel was built by Burrard Drydock in 1928, using a Norwegian hull par- tern designed for work in ice and an American engine, left Vancouver in 1940, and made the first west to cast transit of the North West Passage ever done, ending at Halifax. Leaving Halifax in 1942, it then returned west to Vancouver by the same route, the first ship ever to do this transit in both directions, After that it travelled to Halifax by way of the Panama canal, and returned, by the same route to Vancouver, It was the first vessel to circum- navigate the North American continent in both directions. I do not remember North Vancouver City making any effort to preserve this ship, nor contnbute to its upkeep. Though she is now indoors and under cover, dry rot is setting in and 2 considerabie amount of other repair is nec- essary. The federal govern- ment originally supplied some funds to help preserve it, but stopped about five years ago. Now, in order to raise funds for its preservation, a dedicat- ed bunch of volunteers are off in the renamed RCMP vessel St. Roch U/Nadon to follow the wake of the original S¢. Roch through the North West Passage. Fund raising, was not easy. The only contribution from North Vancouver City may have been some volunteer time by members of the local RCMP attachment. There was not even a suggestion by the city that the renamed Sz. Roch I1/Nadon should touch at Burrard Drydock before starting out. It is probably poetic justice, but neither North Vancouver City, nor Burrard Drydock Company are named in the history of the St. Roch on its Web site, nor is North Vancouver City listed as being onc of the sponsors or contributing to Concert at Silk Purse © “THREE musical prodi- ’ gies gather July 13 at . the Silk Purse in West “Vancouver. ; * "The Koncz Trio will per: : form a 90-minute set begin- ning at 7:30 p.m. The program: Lay, -Georg . Friedrich Han ar Menuett D-Major, Wolfgang 4 “this year in March. Amadeus Mozart; Der : Zauberer, Wolfgang Amadeus -” Mozart; Lachen und Weinen, Franz Schubert; Air, Gabriel <" Marie; Tarantella, Michael . ‘Aaron; ; Scheyso° Tarantetle, Henryk : . Wieniawski; * Hungarian: ‘Dance, Stephan ‘Koncz;'*:.; Scherzs giocoso, Stephan Konez; -Militarmarsch, Franz Schubert; G’ ‘schichten nus dem : Wienerwald, Johann Strauss: oe The Konez Trio isa broth- “ers and sister act..* °° Thirteen-year- old “Christoph Koncz (violin and Piano) phyeda and acted in the movie The Red Violin. The film was released last year by Lions Gate Films and features a soundtrack by composer John Corigliano. Christoph Koncz has stud- ied violin and piano at the University of Music in Vienna “since 1993 and 1994. He ‘; performed with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra ' carlier Fifteen-year-old Stephan Xoncz . (violoncello, has studied cello and piano at the University of Music in Vienna since 1993 and 1997, Seventeen-year-old . Theresia’ Konez (soprano, piano) has studied piano since 1993 at the University of Music in Vienna and voice since 1996, with internation- - al opera. singer Ruthilde Boesch... ; The Silk Purse is located at 1570 Argyie Ave. Admission is is by donation. - — Michael Becker US PRO 40° SELECT Piano)’ the cost of the trip, One opportunity lost. See the Sr Roch Web site at - . The second opportunity was the Swiss/Grumman built submersible, the Bea Franklin, Operated by NASA, it was used for under- water exploring by Jacques Piceard, This was at the same time NASA was engaged in the moon landings, and when the Bea Franklin was dam- aged by striking an underwa- ter reef, NASA decided to concentrate on their space exploration and sald it. It was bought by an east- ern Canadian company, with the idea of being repaired for tourist use, but, presumably for financial reasons, that did not happen and it was stored on Lloyd Avenue and at Vancouver Shipyards, slowly rusting for 30 years. It was rescued by the Vancouver Maritime Museum, is being refurbished for exhibit, and should be on display this summer. They also have the first Newt duit, built in North Vancouver. A second opportunity fost, The Cape Breton, ex Hamboraugh Head, built in Vancouver with an English design hull and main engine deserves a better fate than being cur up and the remains used to form fish habitaz. It was not a “Victory ship,” though it used the same hull. Iris unlikely it ever touched North Vancouver before 1999. But its connection to © Burrard Drydock warrants a major effort being put forth to retain it. It is presently owned by the Artificial Reef Society of B.C. They purchased it fora nominal sum, with che intent of sinking it near Nanaimo as an artificial reef for the enjoy- ment of focal divers. For envi- ronmental reasons they are not permitted to sink it until the engine and all asbestos has been removed, a major undertaking. They have offered the engine at no cost to the city. This puts the cost to remove the engine in the city’s hands, a major saving to the socicty. My suggestion is the city me her Wednesday, July 12, 2000 ~ North Shore News - 21 make a fir offer to the Artificial Reef Society tor the purchase of the entire vessel. They are entitled ro a fair prot for their work to date, but Tam sure their North Vancouver members would accept a reasonable one. The ship could then be refur- bished for display at the pier, as is the Jeremiah Brown in San Francisco. While some may doubt the area’s ability to fully support avo major maritime muscums, the opportunity to tour a historic wooden schooner, a space age submersible, and 2 wartime “Victory” ship all on the same day would be more likely ro attract tourists to North Vancouver than just to fook at an engine and hull secticn. The city would have to hire professionals to remove the asbestos, bur beyond that Tam sure many of the men and women who worked at Burrard during the war years, and some of their sons and daughters would volunteer their help to get it ready for display. If this was done there would also be more contribu- tage picture tions from local citizens and companies. 1 would also expect if MP Sheila Copps, as Minister of Heritage, was approached, she would sup- port saving the complete ship whereas I doubt she would do so for the engine and stern. What really bothers me is that this whole project is being done on an “ad hoc” basis. So far everything about the Cape Breton project has been verbal, and, as Sam Goldwyn is reported to have said, “a verbal promise isn’t worth the paper it’s written on.” Before we proceed fur“ ther I feel the city should do a complete study on saving the entire ship versus just the engine and stern, the costs, and the potential profit. Publish the results and lec the taxpayers have the last word. Visualize Vancouver/ North Vancouver with the Sz. Roch, Ben Franklin and Cape Breton as one big Maritime Heritage Museum, and the potential ro add more under- water exhibits. Will this be a third opportunity lost? In something - 4 so small... Beltone’s “invisible” hearing aids are programmed by computer to meet your personal hearing requirements. Beltone offers you 4 difierent models of DIGITAL . technology ... We'll work together fo find the hearing. . system that's right for your hearing, _ and your budget. BOOK YOUR HEARING TEST... WE'LL ANSWER YOUR QUESTION 5 In North Vancouver 988-8073 Cali us TopaY to arrange your appointment in West. Vancouver” 913-1061 “UNFINISHED BUSINESS THE 86ERS “TACKLE THE US PRO 40 FOR THE FIRST ; TIME SINCE LAST XEARS PLAYOFF . JERSEY NIGHT....KIDS 12 & UNDER, WEAR YOUR FAVORITE TEAM JERSEY _AND | RECEIVE A FREE GAME TICKET: “. 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