The Bayfield Historical Society is looking for a bit of help in salvaging and displaying the Helen MacLeod ll schooner.
BHS President Ruth Gibson says the boat was built in the late 1800’s. The 38-foot schooner is currently sitting on a steel cradle in a shed north of Bayfield. But Gibson says the members of the historical society would like to find it a home where it could be displayed to the public.
“Right now we have plans drawn up for the building, the municipality has been approached. We couldn’t have it on private land so the municipality will have to work with us and we would like them to give us a plot of land,” Gibson said.
There is a plot of land down by the Bayfield Harbour, as Gibson points out, but it’s currently designated a flood plane, so they would need approval from a few authorities.
Gibson says one of the things that makes the Helen MacLeod ll so unique was it’s design that made it easy to manoeuvre in Lake Huron. She says they had to give up on any plans to restore the boat, but it is still in one piece.
“There’s a hole in one side. It’s kind of crumbling, it’s kind of collapsed in some areas but we still do have it. There are wooden boats today that are older, but they’ve been kept up and varnished and treated,” added Gibson.
In May of this year, Gibson notes that they’ll have a little over $50,000 in investments to go towards the construction of a building for the boat. She says the committee will decide next month if it’s time to starting getting quotes on a building along with building permits and an agreement with the municipality.
