25 Facts About Angus Walters

Angus James Walters was a sailor and sea captain who skippered the famed Grand Banks fishing schooner Bluenose from 1921 to 1938.

Angus Walters was born in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, a fishing community, located on the south shore of Nova Scotia.

Angus Walters was one of twelve children of Adelaide and Captain Frederick Elias Walters, a fisherman and captain of the schooner Nyanza.

At age fourteen, in 1895, Angus Walters started his career as a fisherman on his father's boat.

Angus Walters started as a "throater" where he was responsible for grabbing fish, cutting their throats and slicing the belly down to the tail.

In 1905, at the age of twenty-three, Walters became captain of his first schooner, the Minnie M Cook.

Angus Walters became known for the speed at which he completed voyages.

Angus Walters remained captain of this ship for eight years.

Walters sold the Muriel B Walters and bought the Donald Silver.

Angus Walters then bought the larger Gilbert B Walters, named after his sons.

On 6 October 1921, the first race was held and Angus Walters led Bluenose to victory.

Angus Walters was now in a position to represent Canada in the Second International Fishermen's Race.

Angus Walters had master's papers for home trade at the beginning of her career, so for some international races he invited George Myra, a deep sea Lunenburg captain and friend to command Bluenose in international waters until the schooner reached the racing port.

In 1935 Angus Walters was invited to take part in the Silver Jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary of England.

Angus Walters was met with great enthusiasm and was presented with a piece of sail from the Royal Yacht Britannia and presented to the King.

The boat almost over turned, and Angus Walters was forced to turn back to Plymouth for repairs.

Angus Walters had 3 children with his wife Maggie: Gilbert, Bernard and Stewart none of whom became fishermen.

Angus Walters sailed Bluenose in one final regatta that year, against the American Gertrude L Thebaud under Captain Ben Pine.

Angus Walters; Bluenose won three of the five races and both could retire undefeated.

Angus Walters married his second wife Mildred Butler December 15,1938.

Angus Walters retired from sailing, and they started a dairy business in Lunenburg, where Angus Walters became a town councillor.

In 1955, Angus Walters was among the first inductees into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame.

Angus Walters helped to drive the symbolic golden spike at the start of construction and was consulted at every stage of the building of the ship.

Angus Walters was on board the ship and at the age of 82 took the new ship on its first voyage to the West Indies.

In 2005, Angus Walters was posthumously named a Person of National Historic Significance.