Marco Polo Project

It's crunch time for Marco Polo Project
Heritage Woodworking phase of creating replica needs `a lot bodies,' says organizer

CINDY WILSON/TELEGRAPH-JOURNAL Barry Ogden, president of Marco Polo Project Inc., with the Marco Polo replica behind him, says it is imperative that enough work is done on the Marco Polo replica that the vessel can be moved by barge across the harbour by the end of summer.

MATT MCCANN
TELEGRAPH-JOURNAL
MAY 24/08

    It's been 21 years, but Barry Ogden hopes that this summer he'll finally be able to move his dream, a replica of the famous Marco Polo ship, across the harbour.
   It's still a work in progress, but Ogden plans to move the 27-metre-long, $300,000 project from its current home in one of the port's sheds on the west side to what he thinks will be a permanent spot on Water Street.
   But he says he won't be able to do it without help.
   "We're still working on planking the hull;' he said.
   "A lot of the work that's being done right now means we need a lot of bodies, so we'd like to have as many people as possible."
   The work that needs to be done now is mostly woodworking, holding things in place and filling the outside of the hull. Planks that go on the hull need to be steamed and bent.
   Ogden says it's imperative that they finish enough work to move the ship by the end of the summer.
   "Right now what we need to do, as fast as possible, is get that hull done;' he said.
   "That's what we need volunteers for. We've been approached by a company that will barge it across the harbour for us, so we're hoping to have the hull fin; ished enough by then."
   Built in the Marsh Creek Shipyard in Saint John in 1851, the original Marco Polo was deemed the fastest ship in the world, completing a round-the-world journey in less than six months. She !I eventually came to rest on the ocean floor off the coast of Prince Edward is land, but has remained a prominent part of Saint John's history.
   Ogden's goal is to bring a piece of that history to life, and says past volunteers have helped bring awareness to the cultural icon.
   "It's not just a tangible ship;' he said. "The Marco Polo is a story. It's part of our culture. We have people who've written songs and books, and raised money. It's about developing a sense of pride in the community."
   He says all the work is done during the day, and volunteers can donate as much, or as little time, as they want. Every contribution helps.
    "If someone wanted to just work one day a week, or a few days a week, it would be much appreciated;' he said.
   Ogden says the port has talked to him about giving the replica a spot near the new cruise ship terminal, and could end up drawing close to a half million visitors annually.
   "There's 205,000 cruise ship visitors this year," he said. "If you take the 130,000 people who live in the area and the other visitors we get through rubber tires and buses, it'll be close.

HOME · THE STORY · PROJECT MARCO POLO · FACTS & HISTORY · GALLERY ·
TALES & YARNS · WHAT'S NEW · FAQ · SUPPORT · GUESTBOOK · LINKS

©WebWise Inc.