Marco Polo Project

Interest grows worldwide in Marco Polo II Project

SANDRA DAVIS
TELEGRAPH-JOURNAL
NOV. 12/08

   The replica project of the Marco Polo II is gathering worldwide interest, says Barry Ogden, the man who has been spearheading the effort.
   Ogden says interest in the Marco Polo continues to grow, especially where children are concerned.
   The website - http:/new-brunswick.net/marcopolo/index.html - has had hits from more than 500,000 visitors and has received telephone calls and messages from as far away as Scotland, Ireland, France, Australia, the United States, Africa and Asia.
    "Some days, it (the website) jumps by 100;' Ogden said.
   The project to build a one-third scale replica of the storied ship began 21 years ago. It will be 27 metres long and about 19 metres high. The original ship's mast would have been seen above City Hall when she sat in the harbour.
   The Marco Polo was built in 1851 by Saint John shipwright James Smith and was the first ship to circumnavigate the globe in six months.
   The replica will cost about $300,000 to build.
   More donations of time and money are needed and may be offered by calling Ogden at 849-4650.
   When the replica of the famous sailing ship is set in place along the Saint John waterfront next summer, the only piece left to put in place will be the mast - and that will be raised as soon as she's set in her berth at a spot to be determined between Pugsley and Long Wharf.
   The non-sailing version of the Marco Polo has been laid up for the winter but, come May, work will begin on her bowsprit and second level of decking.
   "Hopefully, by the middle of the summer, she will be ready," Ogden said.
   By the end of October, most of the planking had been complete, the main deck beams and sub-deck had been put in place, and deck beams for the stern were ready to install. Deck houses are in position and will be fitted next spring while other preparations are already in the works, including mast and yard-arm fabrication.

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