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Calburga was built in 1890 at South Maitland, Nova Scotia by local shipbuilder, Adam MacDougall. Calburga was a spruce built vessel, iron and copper fastened, and equipped with 3 masts, fore-and-aft rigged mizzen mast. This middle-rigger was one of the last Bluenose crafts to remain in service, and was destined to outlive every other Bluenose square-rigger. Calburga boasted luxuries such as a windmill pump installed in 1913 to keep free of water, a wheel house completely enclosing the helmsman and wheel gear, round and elliptical stems, and an exterior ornamented by beautiful hand-carved scrolling. She was a beautiful ship indeed, glowing with strength and beauty.

Calburga was an important transporter in the timber trade to South America and also sailed to South Africa, Buenos Ares, and Great Britain. A midst her travels, Calburga also transferred ownership and command. She was owned by the likes of such seamen as 'Thomas Douglas, and W.K. Stair and commanded by such captains as Jonathan Douglas, Captain Mackenzie, and W.D.Nelson.

During the great war there was a large demand for tonnage of any kind. it was at this time, Calburga was pushed to its' seams. Calburga was loaded with deals and sailed its' way to Great Britain. She made passage and returned to Halifax, reloading and setting back to sea on what would be Calburgas' last day a'float. it was under Captain W.D. Nelsons' command that Calburga met its' match.

On November 13, 1915, three miles north-west of the coast of Strumble, Strumble Head Lighthouse sighted Calburga flying signals of distress. Captain W.D. Nelson and a crew of 14 had come across a gale of tremendous proportions. One of the most violent storms experienced in twenty years. A lifeboat was deployed and found Calburga on the rocks at Penbrush a total wreck, with the crew nowhere to be found and the coast strewn with timber. Fortunately, the crew struggled to land their own boat at Aberbach where they were fed a grand meal by Mr. D. Harries Bowen of Tresisillt, and welcomed by Mr. J.M. Ownen of the Shipwrecked Mariners' Society. Calburga's crew were generously sent by rail to Liverpool never to sail Calburga again.

Today shards of the Calburga share the sea floor of Penbrush with various other wrecks, which have become a popular but risky diving area. Considering the Calburga was one of the last square-rigged sailing vessels to be in the Halifax registry, the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, in Halifax, Nova Scotia showcases a 51 inch model which was built by David Coldwell and Glenn Buckmaster. This model is an excellent representation of the Calburga, and at a much lower risk, will be explored for decades to come.