Some of the participants in the Fourth Annual Samuel Cunard Prize event. From the left John Hennigar-Shuh, Paul Yetman, Kenneth C. Rowe and John Young, Q.C.

The Fourth Annual Samuel Cunard Prize for Vision, Courage and Creativity had a new format when held aboard Queen Mary 2 in Halifax, Nova Scotia October 5, 2018.

The Samuel Cunard Prize acknowledges an extraordinary individual who demonstrates the qualities exemplified by Cunard throughout his life. This year’s honoree was Kenneth C. Rowe, Founder and Chairman of IMP group International Inc., a Halifax- based company focused on global, sustainable growth, serving customers across diverse sectors such as aerospace and defense, aviation, healthcare, IT, hospitality and property management.

CSS Chairman John G. Langley, Q.C. and his wife Judith photographed with Jackie Chase, Director, Public Relations, Cunard Line in Grand Lobby of Queen Mary 2 following Samuel Cunard Prize event.

This year and for the first time a second award was added. The Cunard Innovative Spirit Award was created to honour an extraordinary individual who, early in their career has demonstrated the innovative spirit exemplified by Cunard throughout his life. This year’s inaugural recipient was Paul Yetman, President of GeoSpectrum Technologies, a Dartmouth, Nova Scotia-based developer and supplier of innovative marine acoustic hardware and systems.

Queen Mary 2 escorted by Canadian naval vessel (with CSS Acadia in foreground) performing salute to Canada’s 150th birthday off the end of the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic wharves.

In 1867 confederation marked the birth of Canada as a nation. In recognition of this occasion the Queen Mary 2, flagship of Cunard line performed a special sailaway from Halifax harbour August 10, 2017. On a beautiful late afternoon passengers lined the rails of the ship while thousands gathered on the waterfront to watch QM2 perform a nautical salute to Canada when she slowly made her way up the harbour, turned and dipped her flag opposite the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, not far from the former Cunard wharves and home port to RMS Britannia, Cunard’s first transatlantic liner.

Queen Mary 2 bellhops proudly bookend the Samuel Cunard prize crafted by Nova Scotian Crystal in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Right Honourable Paul Martin with the 2017 Samuel Cunard prize award

The Queen Mary 2 was the venue in Halifax, Nova Scotia August 10, 2017 for a reception and luncheon to celebrate the third annual Samuel Cunard prize for vision, courage and creativity. Hosted by the Canadian Maritime Heritage Foundation and the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, this year’s recipient was the Right Honourable Paul Martin P.C., C.C., Twenty-first Prime Minister of Canada and former chairman and CEO of CSL group Inc. (Canada Steamship Lines). Following the presentation reception in the magnificent Queens room, 250 dignitaries and invited guests enjoyed superb Cunard cuisine in the ship’s Britannia restaurant.

Following upon the success of last year’s inaugural event, the QM2 was once again the scene for honouring this year’s recipient, entrepreneur John Risley with the Samuel Cunard Prize for ‘vision, courage and creativity’.

Left: Author addressing dignitaries and guests in Queen’s Room aboard QM2 second Annual Samuel Cunard Prize event

QM2 Captain Kevin Oprey, Cunard PR Director Jackie Chase and CSS Chairman John G. Langley, Q.C. paying respects to Susan Cunard

Susan Cunard headstone in Old Burying Ground carefully refurbished by master stone mason and conservator Heather Lawson

Following the wreath-laying event during its 175th Anniversary celebrations Cunard determined to help restore the Susan Cunard headstone in Halifax’s Old Burying Ground. In the months that followed and through the efforts of Heather Lawson, stone mason and conservator, the headstone was refurbished in time for a return visit to the OBG by QM2 Captain Oprey on September 10th. Samuel Cunard who lies an ‘ocean apart’ in Brompton Cemetery, London, England would have been proud.

Invitatation to First Annual Samuel Cunard Prize event

The QM2 completed the transatlantic portion of her Commemorative crossing upon arrival in Halifax, Cunard’s ‘Ancestral home’ on July 10th. A full day of carefully planned historic events ensued both aboard ship and ashore. It was a memorable day from early morning arrival in the sunshine until evening sunset and a grand departure from Halifax harbor with naval escort, shire based brass bands and crowds of onlookers. During the day three major events took place, all of which served to focus attention and commemorate the rich history of Cunard line and its deep roots in Nova Scotia.

The first of these was a large gathering ashore to dedicate a section of the Halifax waterfront to the memory of Samuel Cunard, the ‘Steam Lion’ and founder of Cunard Line. Henceforth, a prominent section of the waterfront near the cruise terminal shall be known as ‘Cunard Quay’ and soon to become part of a large public-private development initiative around this site.

Samuel Cunard Prize literature

At noon an invitation only reception and luncheon was held aboard QM2 – the First Annual Samuel Cunard Prize event to honour a recipient who best exemplifies the entrepreneurial genius of Samuel Cunard. The first recipient of the prize for ‘vision, courage & creativity’, a beautiful piece of crystal crafted by Nova Scotian Crystal – was James Irving, President of Irving Shipyards.

Later in the afternoon Captain Oprey, accompanied by Cunard executives attended the Old Burying Ground to lay a wreath on the gravesite of Susan Cunard, widow of Sir Samuel. This was followed by the opening of a new exhibit honouring Samuel Cunard at the Maritime Museum of the Altantic officially opened by N.S. Tourism Minister Tony Ince, N.A. President of Cunard Line Richard Meadows and the author.

Judith reunites with Commodore Ron Warwick aboard QM2 in Southampton at the commencement of Cunard’s 175th Anniversary commemorative crossing of the Atlantic July 2, 2015

Accompanied by my wife, Judith, we had the singular honour to be amongst those other special guests and passengers aboard QM2 on this historic crossing intended to replicate the inaugural crossing of Cunard’s first flagship, RMS Britannia from Liverpool to Halifax and Boston in July 1840. It was most fitting that in collaboration with the artist Robert Lloyd his rendition of Britannia Maiden Voyage was carried aboard, formally unveiled and displayed in the Grand Lobby of QM2 during this commemorative crossing. It was a most extraordinary voyage, steeped in history and highlighted by special 175th Anniversary events in the five homeports of call…starting in Southampton, and followed by Liverpool, Halifax, Boston and New York. From commencement of the voyage in Southampton July 2nd until the conclusion in New York on July 15th it was a voyage befitting the memory of founder Samuel Cunard.