The Ships - Toronto Brigantine Inc.

The Ships

Brigs currently operates the sail-training vessel the TS Playfair. Playfair was purpose designed and built as sail training vessels by Francis A. McLachlan in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. She launched in 1974, in the presence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The vessel carries a complement of 28 people, 18 new sailors, called trainees, 4 petty officers, 6 Wardroom officers and the Captain. The Trainees are divided into 3 watches and a Petty Officer assigned to each watch. The Wardroom consists of 3 officers commanding each watch, the Cook, and the Bosun who conducts maintenance and repairs while at sea. The Executive Officer co-ordinates the daily operation of the vessel and is the main liaison between the Wardroom officers and the Captain. Aside from Captain and the First Mate, the entire ship’s complement is between 13 and 18 years of age.

A brigantine is a two-masted square-rigged sailing vessel with fore-and-aft rigged sails on the mainmast and square sails on the foremast. This is distinct from a brig that has square sails on both masts. The name comes from the Italian word brigantino, related to the word "brigand", which became associated with the vessels favoured by Mediterranean pirates for their speed and agility.

TS Playfair

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Playfair Specifications

  Year Built

  1973

  Designer

  Francis A. MacLachlan

  Location Built

  Kingston, Ontario, Canada

  Builder

  Canada Dredge and Dock Co.

  Hull

  Welded steel, 1/4″ hull plating, 1/2″ keel plating,  frames every 2′

  Length Sparred

  22m (72′)

  Length Overall

  18.23m (59.8′)

  Length Waterline

  14m (45′)

  Beam

  4.5m (15′)

  Freeboard

  0.8m (2.6′)

  Draft

  2.5m (8′)

  Registered Tonnage

  32.98 tons

  Displacement

  47 tons

  Ballast

  10 tons

  Foremast Height

  16m (52′)

  Mainmast Height

  17.37m (57′)

  Sail Area

  Over 250m2 (2,600 sq. ft.)

  Sails

  (Sails in bold are standard press)

  JiptopJib, Foresail, ForecourseForetopsail,     Lower Studding Sails, Upper Studding Sails,         Fisherman Staysail, Main StaysailMainsail,       Main Gaff Topsail

  Hull Speed

  8.2 knots (15.3 km/hr or 9.4 mi/hr)

  Cruising Speed  (under sail)

  4-8 knots (7.5-14.9 km/hr or 4.6-9.2 mi/hr)

  Cruising Speed  (under power)

  7 knots (13.1 km/hr or 8.1 mi/hr)

  Water Tank

  862 litre (228 US Gallons)

  Waste Tank

  1090 litre (288US Gallons)

  Fuel Tank

  2380 Litres (629 US Gallons)

  Engine

  Volvo D5A-B TA

  Engine Power

  89 kW (119 hp) at 1,900 rpm

  Complement

  Total 28:

  1 Captain

  1 First Mate

  3 Watch Officers

  1 Bosun

  1 Cook

  3 Petty Officers

  18 Trainees

STV Pathfinder

The STV Pathfinder was Brigs’ original vessel and one of Canada's first specially designed sail training ships. She was beloved for over six decades of Brigs' alumni. Pathfinder and Playfair are sister ships, with very similar designs. 

Following the introduction of additional, costly regulations from Transport Canada and other financial pressures, Brigs was ultimately forced to sell Pathfinder to a private buyer in 2017. The community was thrilled when Pathfinder returned to the fleet under charter in 2022 and 2023. Unfortunately, she is not currently a part of the Brigs' fleet. 

STV Pathfinder

"The return of the original vessel, Pathfinder, to sail training is exciting for the Hamilton Community and we're incredibly honoured to lend support and be a partner to Brigs," says Blair McKeil, President and CEO of Breakwater Investments. "The teamwork and skills that youth gain through the sail training program not only fosters and rewards self-confidence, leadership and character building but most importantly, connects young people from all walks of life and nurtures lifelong friendships." says McKeil.

Pathfinder Specifications

  Year Built

  1963

  Designer

  Francis A. MacLachlan

  Location Built

  Kingston, Ontario, Canada

  Builder

  Canada Dredge and Dock Co.

  Hull

  Welded steel, 1/4″ hull plating, 1/2″ keel plating,  frames every 2′

  Length Sparred

  22m (72′)

  Length Overall

  18.23m (59.8′)

  Length Waterline

  14m (45′)

  Beam

  4.5m (15′)

  Freeboard

1.3 m (4.3')

  Draft

  2.5m (8′)

  Registered Tonnage

  31.36 tons

  Displacement

  50 tons

  Ballast

  12 tons

  Foremast Height

  16m (52′)

  Mainmast Height

  17.37m (57′)

  Sail Area

  Over 250m2 (2,600 sq. ft.)

  Sails

  (Sails in bold are standard press)

  JiptopJib, Foresail, ForecourseForetopsail,     Lower Studding Sails, Upper Studding Sails,         Fisherman Staysail, Main StaysailMainsail,       Main Gaff Topsail

  Hull Speed

  8.2 knots (15.3 km/hr or 9.4 mi/hr)

  Cruising Speed  (under sail)

  4-8 knots (7.5-14.9 km/hr or 4.6-9.2 mi/hr)

  Cruising Speed  (under power)

  7 knots (13.1 km/hr or 8.1 mi/hr)

  Water Tank

  1200 litre (300 US Gallons)

  Waste Tank

800 litre (200 US gal)

  Fuel Tank

  1800 litre (450 US gal)

  Engine

  Volvo D5A-B TA

  Engine Power

  89 kW (119 hp) at 1,900 rpm

  Complement

  Total 28:

  1 Captain

  1 First Mate

  3 Watch Officers

  1 Bosun

  1 Cook

  3 Petty Officers

  18 Trainees

 

 

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