The Bluebird

The Rest Of The Story...

The Bluebird is a 53' 8'' long war canoe that has an interesting history not only in function but in how it came to be at the Museum.  This canoe was carved from a single Western Red Cedar log by Coast Salish Master Carver Simon Charlie.  It was paddled by ten men along with a steersman and would have looked impressive as it raced along the course.  It is said that this canoe did not lose one race during its career and was retired in 1970.  Upon learning of the craft’s retirement, Kirk Wipper decided that it belonged at his museum.   You may ask how one would get a 54 foot canoe from Vancouver Island to Ontario.  It was too large for a train or plane to transport, so Kirk, being such a passionate collector, decided that he would retrofit his half-ton diesel truck and drive the canoe back home!  With the Blue bird mounted on his truck hanging over twenty feet on either end, he began his journey.  Through his tenacity Kirk was able to charm ferry personal and highway patrolmen into allowing him passage and highway escorts.  The arduous journey took three weeks to complete while encountering many challenges along the way!  

Come and see the Bluebird on display in the Origins Gallery at the Museum.

Specifications 

Length:                53 feet 8 inches
                          (16.36 metres)
 
Beam:                 2 feet 10 1/2 inches
                          (87.5 centimetres)
 
Accession No.:    1986.16.1