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Sailing

Credits:
Chester Municipal Heritage Society

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A big part of Chester's ongoing appeal to visitors was sailing. Chester is ideally situated for sailing. It has well-protected harbours sheltered from the worst impact of ocean storms. And it is on a magnificent natural bay with hundreds of interesting islands to navigate: offering an endless range of experiences.

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Postcard Chester Front Harbour
1940
Chester Nova Scotia

Credits:
Chester Municipal Heritage Society

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Aerial View of Chester
1905
Chester Nova Scotia

Credits:
Chester Municipal Heritage Society

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Among the Islands
1900
Chester Nova Scotia

Credits:
Chester Municipal Heritage Society

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Even before the arrival of the first American summer visitors, local fisherman had a tradition of racing their sailboats. While these were working boats, speed was part of their value for owners and crew. By the mid 1880s Chesterites began organizing regattas for locally made Tancook schooners and whalers, boats that gained great reputations in the years to come.

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Tancook Whaler
1915
Chester Nova Scotia

Credits:
Chester Municipal Heritage Society

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Early View of Chester
1900
Chester Nova Scotia

Credits:
Chester Municipal Heritage Society

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The first decades of the American summer visitors coincided with the 'Golden Age of Sail' (1850-1880). They often hired local boats and their captains, to take them on picnic excursions to the islands, or for cruising and fishing. In fact, sailing became so popular that many families sailed every day if the weather was fine.

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Early Picture of Back Harbour and Big Gooseberry Island in the background
1910
Chester Nova Scotia

Credits:
Chester Municipal Heritage Society

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Yacht Race - Back Harbour Chester
1915
Chester Nova Scotia

Credits:
Chester Municipal Heritage Society

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With the arrival of engine-powered boats in the early 1900s, demand for sailboats for commercial use dropped off. It is interesting to note that Forman Hawboldt, a local inventor and business man developed the "make and break engine" that was to change the way fishing was conducted. It enabled the fisherman to haul and set nets regardless of the wind and often the weather. It signaled the demise of the wind powered fishing boats and a new way to fish. Local boatyards had already been supplying racing yachts for clients in Halifax and elsewhere, when many of the Americans decided they wanted their own as well. Some of these summer residents did not have much sailing experience. So they relied on local 'Sailing Masters' knowledge of the waters, and hired them to skipper their boats, and share their knowledge.

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Heisler's Boatyard
1920
Chester Nova Scotia

Credits:
Chester Municipal Heritage Society

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The Carrie a steamer that supplied connections with Chester Basin and Mahone Bay
1900
Chester Nova Scotia

Credits:
Chester Municipal Heritage Society