The Launch of the Santa Corona

If you know anything about Ottawa artist Andrew King, you know he's a bright, creative, talented person. His whimsical, joyful artwork has fascinated me for many years.

Andrew is also an amateur historian, and his love of the Ottawa area, Eastern Ontario, and beyond drives him to blog about lost pieces of our history, from the remains of sunken ships, missing planes, or long-lost towns, Andrew has chronicled our past and its mysteries in a blog and in books.

This past weekend, Andrew launched into something new, in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, with the hope of lightening everyone's spirits. (I used the words launched and current on purpose.) Accompanied by his partner and fellow artist, Alison Fowler, Andrew headed to Manotick's boat launch, off Bridge Street, to set a piece of art down the Rideau River.

Last week, Andrew built a small, wooden boat, in the vein of his artistic style, in the hopes of setting it along the Rideau, where, by good fortune, the craft would make its way to the Ottawa River, the St.Lawrence Seaway, and eventually, the Atlantic Ocean.

It's a mighty trek, filled with all sorts of hazards: dams, waterfalls, other craft, not to mention the docks, trees, brushes, and other plants that line the shores of these waterways. But Andrew is hopeful that his ship, the Santa Corona, makes its way, eventually.

He's also hoping that others can help.

On the stern of the ship is a message: Hello, this boat was made & launched during the boredom of self-isolation during the great COVID-19 virus pandemic - March, year 2020. Set adrift from Manotick, Ont. on a journey of hope to the open Atlantic. Please throw it back on its quest. Visit andrewkingstudio.com to register where you found it. Thanks!

Andrew also added his name and Twitter nickname, as well as the hashtag #ToTheSea, which you can also follow on Twitter to see any updates on the ship's progress.

Safe journey, Captain Lloyd and Santa Corona! Let's hope you make it to the Atlantic, but that the pandemic abates before then.

Andrew King and partner, Alison Fowler, preparing to christen and launch the Santa Corona.

Dedication speech.

Attempting to open a bottle of prosecco (the cork wouldn't budge).

Second attempt (of course, there was no way this one would break).

Of course, a good splash of whisky wins every time!

The Santa Corona is launched. She flies!

Away she goes (Captain Lloyd stands on the bow).

Just a spec on the water.

Success!