Discover some fascinating artefacts!

Master Compass

This odd navigational instrument was used to indicate the north when at sea. The compass kept at the Museum is from the Montcalm, one of the first icebreakers to sail the St. Lawrence River, from 1904 to 1942. With this master compass, the Montcalm could be steered safely, regardless of the weather conditions. This instrument was made in Scotland around 1880. It is shaped like an oddly colourful robot with a teak barrel-like body and a polished brass head. The magnetic compass, so essential at the time, is enclosed in the brass casing. Come and see this fascinating artefact featured in the See Roots exhibition at the Musée maritime du Québec.

To find out more, please visit the Répertoire du patrimoine culturel du Québec.

Sextant

The sextant is a navigational instrument that has been among every navigator’s essential tools for a long time. However, with the introduction of satellite positioning systems, it is less commonly used on board vessels, yet still mandatory on merchant ships. The sextant is used to measure the vertical angles between two objects, like a celestial body and the horizon. It is designed with interchangeable lenses, coloured lenses and two mirrors. This sextant was made in 1915 by Heath & Co. Ltd. in London. It was owned by Captain Georges-Édouard Gaudreau, a native of L’Islet. For a closer view, visit the Sea Roots exhibition at the Musée maritime du Québec.

To find out more, please visit the Répertoire du patrimoine culturel du Québec.

Scale Model of the Arctic Polar Exploration Sailboat

Take in the breadth and beauty of the legendary Arctic sailboat featured at the Museum. It is on board this ship that Captain J.E. Bernier and his crew made numerous polar expeditions to Canada’s Far North at the beginning of the 20th century. This is also the ship that Captain Bernier piloted when he successfully secured Canadian sovereignty in the Arctic. The wooden scale model is about 2.5 metres long and was made by Saint-Jean-Port-Joli scale model artist Lucien Leclerc in 1977. To admire it, visit the Capitaine J.E. Bernier – 1852-1934 exhibition at the Museum.

To find out more, please visit the Répertoire du patrimoine culturel de Québec.

Scale Model of the Tadoussac Cruise Ship

The scale model of the Tadoussac cruise ship was built by Gérard Deschênes in 1989. This impressive model is made of wood and spans almost two metres in length. The Tadoussac sailed weekly between Montréal, Charlevoix and the Saguenay River. The Tadoussac cruise ship carried groups of 300 to 500 passengers and remained in service from 1928 to 1965. Several newlyweds celebrated their honeymoon on board this five-level floating palace. You can admire it at the Museum in the scale model reserve.

To find out more, please visit the Répertoire du patrimoine culturel de Québec.

Scale Model of the Jean Yvan Coastal Ship

The coastal ship is a vessel also referred to as a schooner. This type of ship was used to carry passengers or goods. The scale model of the Jean Yvan coastal ship is a replica of the real boat. The vessel is now on exhibit at the Musée maritime de Charlevoix. Prior to that, it was housed at the Musée maritime du Québec for several years. The Jean Yvan stands out as one of the last schooners to navigate the coastal waters of the St. Lawrence River and the last schooner to be designed with a pointed stern. Daniel Bérubé built this scale model in 1985. You can admire it at the Museum in the scale model reserve.

To find out more, please visit the Répertoire du patrimoine culturel du Québec. 

Alcoholic Beverage Bottle

There is no mistake: Many treasures remain hidden in the wreck that lies sleeping on the bottom of the Saint Lawrence River near Rimouski. Every kind of object found evokes life onboard. Divers have found several bottles in the shipwreck of the Empress of Ireland cruise liner, which sank in 1914. This particular bottle contained an alcoholic beverage, probably wine. This find confirms that people have always enjoyed good food and wine. Getting together over a good bottle of wine was apparently commonplace on this cruise ship. You will find this artefact in the Sea Roots exhibition at the Museum.

To find out more, please visit the Répertoire du patrimoine culturel du Québec.

Bell of the Empress of Ireland Cruise Liner

On May 29, 1914, the Empress of Ireland sank in the Saint Lawrence Estuary near Rimouski, taking with 1012 of her 1477 passengers to their deaths. Fifty years later, divers now explore the shipwreck and have discovered many treasures, including the magnificent bell of the huge cruise liner. Sculpted in a single piece of bronze and engraved with the cruise ship’s name, this impressive artefact confers respect and is a sad reminder of the most tragic shipwreck to occur in Canada. You will find it in the Sea Roots exhibition at the Museum. Do you want to learn more about this shipwreck? The Site historique maritime de la Pointe-au-Père is dedicated to preserving its memory.

To find out more, please visit the Répertoire du patrimoine culturel du Québec.

Inuit Scale Model Kayak

Did you know that the kayak was invented by the Indigenous peoples of the Arctic? With this watercraft, they paddled the icy coastal waters of the Arctic and Atlantic oceans in search of the best fishing and hunting sites. Although small in size, this scale model is an accurate representation of the Inuit kayak. It is made of wood and marine mammal skins sewn together that are protected with lacquer. Since the kayak is among the souvenirs of Captain Bernier’s journeys to the Arctic, you will find it in the Capitaine J.E. Bernier – 1852-1934 exhibition at the Museum.

Diving Helmet

Hard to believe, but this diving helmet is the forerunner of the present-day scuba diving mask. The helmet made of bronze and brass weighed up to 40 pounds. Once secured to the heavy diving suit, the helmet allowed a diver to spend several hours under water. The diving helmet at the Museum was used at the beginning of the 20th century by divers of Chantiers Davie in Lauzon. With this safe, watertight equipment, they could perform tasks underwater such as refloat ships and carry out work. Come and admire it at the Sea Roots exhibition when you visit the Museum.

To find out more, please visit the Répertoire du patrimoine culturel de Québec.