HALIFAX — Cunard celebrated 175 years of history, tradition and industrial achievement in Halifax, home of its founder Sir Samuel Cunard, on Friday.
The daylong event began at approximately 6 a.m. ADT when Queen Mary 2 arrived in port, marking the Transatlantic Crossing made by the company’s first flagship, Britannia, in 1840.
At 10 a.m., local dignitaries, port officials, and key members of the Halifax community gathered to dedicate a new public space in honour of Samuel Cunard. The ceremony took place on the site of an upcoming mixed-use development led by Southwest Properties and in collaboration with Waterfront Development.
“Here next to the ocean, in Samuel Cunard’s hometown of Halifax, we are pleased to celebrate 175 years with our partners, guests and the Cunard Line family,” said Colin MacLean, President and CEO, Waterfront Development. “Looking to the future and the wonderful public space that will come to fruition as part of the broader development here, we are officially naming this space to be enjoyed by many for years to come as Samuel Cunard Quay.”
As part of the anniversary commemorations, President of Cunard North America, Richard Meadows, Captain Kevin Oprey, master of Queen Mary 2, and direct descendants of Samuel Cunard, Hugh Paton and son Geoff, paid their respects to the gravesite of Susan Cunard, wife of Samuel.
In honour of the 175th anniversary of Cunard, the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic re-opened the Cunard portion of the Age of Steam exhibition and launched a new Samuel Cunard retrospective showcasing the founder’s impact on global business, transportation and world events.
The exhibit, Cunard 175: Engine for Change, is the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic’s celebration of Sir Samuel Cunard’s vision and achievement in revolutionizing maritime travel and global communications. His drive to create an ‘ocean railway’ – with comfortable, technologically advanced ships making established oceanic passages – is continued by Cunard today.
