Larinda returns

Few stories can make a Haligonian as sheepish as the tale of the Larinda.

by Erica Butler

Few stories can make a Haligonian as sheepish as the tale of the Larinda. It's not the part of the story where the Larinda was built, over 26 years, in the backyard of Massachusetts auto mechanic Larry Mahan. Or the part where Mahan, as a child, was originally inspired to build the ship after reading The Little Grey Men, a British children's tale wherein three gnomes build their own ship and set sail in search of a lost brother. Nope. The part that makes us hang our heads and scuff our feet is the part where, after being battered by Hurricane Juan in September 2003, the Larinda sank in Halifax Harbour, right beside one of our many, long-lived raw sewage outfalls. Reports of the Larinda filling up with our collective crap circulated, and we bristled with shame.

Halifax first made noises about treating its harbour-bound sewage back in the '70s, right around the time that Mahan was constructing the hull of the Larinda. But as Mahan realized his dreams in his backyard, we failed to muster up the money and political will to actually stop Halifax's raw sewage problem. Mahan launched the Larinda in 1996, a year after the first major "harbour cleanup" effort went bust. By 2003, the city was just about to sign a deal to build the Halifax sewage plant, which became operational five years later, in 2008.

But the Larinda's been restored. The 1767 Boston Schooner replica will take part in this year's Tall Ships event under her own steam, thanks to the restoration efforts of its new owner and captain, Arthur Scott. "We kept everything as orginal as possible," says Scott from the Larinda's home in Boutilier's Point. "And we've added a few of our own touches. I would say that she's just about back to her original splendour prior to her launching," he adds. "She's looking that fine."

Unfortunately, Halifax Harbour will not be so fine. Before completing its first full year of service, the Halifax sewage plant shut down due to apparent design flaws. The busted plant means we're back to the old ways. At least it's not hurricane season.

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I have been following the Larinda 'saga' for years.. and I still don't know where she is now, as of October 2009...??
Rudy Fritsch

Posted by RudyF on October 3, 2009 at 8:45 PM | Report this comment

As someone who sailed on this ship before the tragic event in 2003, I have to say I have much respect for you guys at The Coast. Congratulations on putting together a story that focuses on the ship itself, the amazing story of how Captain Larry built her in his backyard, and the fantastic news of her return. Far too many articles on this focus on the events of my beloved captain's personal life. As a sailor, and a journalist, I say thank you. Thank you very, very much.
Unfortunately, we were unable to get Larinda into port as planned, but be sure she will return. That vessel always makes an appearance with a bang, and she'll be sure to do that when the time is right.
Larinda crew.

Posted by LarindaCrew on July 20, 2009 at 1:15 PM | Report this comment

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