Canada’s forgotten Lady of the Sea
The Monte Cristo / Endeavour II sailed the Pacific 48 years ago. She first touched salt water in Burrard Inlet, British Columbia, Canada. The crew were mostly young men from the prairies of Saskatchewan who had helped build this reincarnation of sailing ships from the previous centuries. Their eyes sparkled with thoughts of adventure on the open Pacific, however, the ship’s first year was spent sailing the Salish Sea and down the inside coast as far as Olympia, Washington.
When the Monte Cristo finally broke out onto the Pacific, her inexperienced Captain made it as far as the sailing mecca of San Francisco. There, under the stern stare of real salts, the old Captain was relieved of duty. Most of the farmers/builders/novice seamen left with him. A new Skipper was placed in charge, whether he wanted the responsibility or not.
All of these antics by the crew were of no regard to the ship. She had a mission: it was to sail across the Pacific to Botany Bay, Australia to merge her destiny that of the great Captain Cook’s ship Endeavour! And this she did. Despite obstacles, adventures, mutinies, near disasters – the renamed Endeavour II weathered all storms and hurricanes, to be feted by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, on 28 April 1970. Some months later, the Captain and crew would be dealt one shattering blow after another…
Please see the Monte Cristo’s reference in John MacFarlane’s excellent site, http://www.nauticapedia.ca/Gallery/Book_Opacic.php
The book is C$34.37, including shipping within Canada. Please order this fascinating book here. Contains over 90 pictures and illustrations and stories from the participants.
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Canada’s Forgotten Lady of the Sea
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Comments and Reminiscences Welcome!
Original builders and crew members are invited to add their memories here – please use the Comments/Reply box at the bottom of this page. If you have pictures that you would like to share, please forward them via email to publisher at Rutherford Press
Ladies and Gentlemen, while the authors have very diligently researched the information presented in the book, we fully understand that there may be differences in individual remembrances. Where those differences have been brought to our attention, we have endeavoured to present those that are documented best. If you have further versions of events to offer we will be pleased to reprint them here, subject to our moderation policies – see this website’s Terms and Conditions.
Bonus Pictures
Martin’s wonderful photos – thanks to his sister Anne Brelsford for providing them:
Thank you to Andrea Brigola for these pictures:
Alexander Brigola 
Alex, with purpose 
CREW MEMBERS
Original members of the Monte Cristo/Endeavour II can receive a 20% discount on the purchase of this book. Please use this PayPal button (names will be confirmed prior to delivery):
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Comments
1 CommentReceived the books today…Awesome!
Everyone just loves them – my wife is excited and all her staff as well!
Rutherford Press 
I was pleasantly surprised to see this in BC Book World. I was involved in a minor way in the building and launching and have a few photos and newspaper articles.
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