Building the Rattlesnake
- Raising the mast
- Launch day
What a Beaut!
My husband, Stephen, and his father, David (www.3dstudiocreations.com), had a dream back in the early 80s to build a replica of a Spanish Privateer Tall Ship – The Rattlesnake. As you can see in the photos, the dream turned into a reality – after 4 years of many long hours, much ingenuity and incredible persistence, the ship was launched in 1986 in Lake Simcoe in Jacksons Point, Georgina, Canada – 2 hours north of Toronto.
Since I don’t have a lot of carving work right now, I thought I would brag about my family. The Rattlesnake was before my time – I would have loved to be involved in this – can you imagine the carvings you could put on this??? Actually the photo labelled “Raising the Mast” has some oak leaf and rope carving that my husband carved – it must be fate!
They did quite a bit of re-enacting shows down the east coast – that would have been so much fun.
My husband was in his early 20s when he built the ship. I see through the way he works now that this amazing achievement at such an early age has given him the confidence to achieve anything that comes before him. I believe the Lord has given Stephen a real gift to tackle whatever comes his way. If he has never done it before, he’ll figure out how – whatever it is.
He’s a handy guy to have around… I have a right to brag, don’t I?
Absolutely you have a right to brag.
Where is the ship now?
Sad ending to a wonderful experience – it burned several years ago.
Thank you for showing these photos.
I am boater and my family had a boat right next to David and his family. The boat they stayed on was called the Shasta. It was 1984 I believe at Couchiching Point marina in the narrows of Lake Simcoe and Lake Couchiching
David and the boys were very generous to us in fact they taught me how to operate my twin engines in the harbour.
What has become of the rattlesnake and the family?
Bob
Hi Bob,
I know Stephen would love to speak with you. I tried emailing you, but it came back as undeliverable. Can you please contact me directly through the “contact”?
Thanks!
I live in Greenport Long Island, NY and there use to be a ship named rattlesnake that came here sometimes during the summers.. I use to love to see her come in as she use to fire her cannon to announce herself. would this be the ship im thinking of? And im sorry to hear she burned, I also heard that the ship im thinking of was lost down in the tropical islands.. Any information you would have would be helpful!
sincerely, Danny
I Worked on the rattlesnake with Steve and his dad and many others hired threw Unemployment U I > It was a blast and a pleasure to work with Steve . He tout me a lot about creative carpentry. I have some photos I took because I had to leave be for the lunch. Sad but I got a job I could not turn down.Say hey to Steve for me. Nice to see all is well. Good luck in your future and God bless .