Evan Densmore and his cousin Nick Densmore built a hand-built wooden schooner called the Katie Belle. Unfortunately, last year, the vessel was struck by lightning during a storm that caused flooding in parts of the province. The lightning disabled all monitoring systems and destroyed the electronics on the boat.
Evan received a call from his father during the storm, informing him of flooding in the engine room that needed immediate attention. They worked tirelessly to stop the leaking and prevent the boat from sinking, staying with it for 24 hours.
The Katie Belle was taken to Lunenburg Shipyard in October for extensive repairs. Major components such as the hydraulic system, engines, and generator had to be rebuilt due to the damage caused by saltwater ingress. Mike Wilson, the vice-president of the shipyard, mentioned that fire, lightning strikes, and water ingress are the worst things that can happen to a vessel, and the Katie Belle experienced two out of three.
Fortunately, the repairs were covered by insurance, saving the Densmore family from having to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars. The shipyard feels privileged to be a part of restoring a vessel that is not only important to the Densmore family but also to the community.
The Katie Belle is considered an icon in Colchester County, as it was hand-built over five years by Evan and Nick Densmore from Stewiacke. The 24-meter wooden ship has traveled as far as South Carolina and even anchored off Ellis Island in New York. When they returned to Nova Scotia, they were warmly welcomed by hundreds of people on the Halifax waterfront.
The shipyard aims to have the schooner fully functional by the fall and is awaiting approvals from the insurance company to proceed with the repairs. They are working hard to get the boat back in the water by September 2024 so that Evan and his family can enjoy the fall sailing season in Nova Scotia.
Despite the challenges they faced, Evan Densmore remained optimistic that the Katie Belle would sail again. He expressed confidence in getting the boat back in the water and sailing once more, emphasizing his positive outlook throughout the restoration process. The community eagerly awaits the return of this beloved vessel and looks forward to seeing it back in action on the waters of Nova Scotia.