Moncton, New Brunswick — The Atlantic Provinces (North America)
The Shipbuilding Era
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La construction navale
Riviére Petitcodiac River
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 28, 2019
1. The Shipbuilding Era / La construction navale Marker
Because of access to the Atlantic Ocean and an abundance of timber, communities along the Petitcodiac, like others in New Brunswick, flourished during the "Golden Age of Sail". It began as early as 1827, when Moncton was known as "The Bend", with the arrival of one of the first shipbuilders, Captain Benjamin Stanton. In the following decades, many types of ships were built here, including three-mast vessels, like the Lady Clarendon, which sailed the world's oceans.
During the peak of the industry in the 1850s, businessman and Moncton's first mayor, Joseph Salter, operated one of the largest shipyards in the area. The river served as an important highway for brigantines, barks, steamers, scows, as well as ocean-going schooners.
Cargo from foreign countries was unloaded while merchandise and passengers embarked for various destinations along the Fundy Coast, the Eastern Seaboard and beyond. While the shipping of goods continued into the 20th century, shipbuilding essentially ended in the 1890s. Relics of the historical wharves are still visible along the riverfront.
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La construction navale bat son plein à Moncton dans les années 1850 et au premier rang de ces activités se trouve le commerçant Joseph Salter, qui deviendra le premier maire de la ville. La rivière est alors une importante voie de circulation pour bricks, barques, vapeurs, chalands et goélettes.
Après avoir débarqué leurs cargaisons, les navires embarquaient des passagers et des effets de commerce à destination des côtes de la baie de Fundy, de la Nouvelle-Angleterre et d'ailleurs. L'expédition par mer persiste au 20e siècle mais l'essentiel de la construction navale prend fin dans les années 1890. Des vestiges des quais de l'époque sont encore visibles au bord de la rivière.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1827.
Location.
Courtesy Resurgo Place
2. Marker detail: Moncton 1907
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L'Élise et le Basile attendent la marée haute pour retourner en mer.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Moncton & Southeast. It is also in the Maritimes and in Atlantic Canada. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, and Acadia.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Aquatic Species / Les espèces aquatiques (within shouting distance of this marker); Downing Place (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Over the Years / Au fil des ans (about 120 meters away); From River to Firm Land / De la rivière à la terre ferme (about 150 meters away); An Economic Engine / Un moteur économique (about 210 meters away); The Art of Advertising / L’art de la publicité (about 210 meters away); Bilingual Banking / Une Banque Bilingue (about 210 meters away); Armenian Genocide Centennial Memorial (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Moncton.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Riviére Petitcodiac River
Also see . . . "The Bend". The portion of the Petitcodiac River known as “The Bend” is designated a Local Historic Place for its significance in the settlement of the City of Moncton. The Bend
Courtesy Resurgo Place
3. Marker detail: Joseph Salter
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Aventurier sillonnant les mers et constructeur de navires renommé, Salter devient le premier maire de Moncton en 1855. Il dirige la construction de 20 grands navires en bois entre 1847 et 1857, et fait travailler 400 hommes durant ce boom de la construction navale.
Courtesy New Brunswick Museum
4. Marker detail: Ship Construction / Construction de navires
Courtesy Molly Kool Centre, Alma, NB
5. Marker detail: Jean K., Saint John, NB., 1940
These flat-bottomed vessels were considered the workhorses of the river, transporting heavy loads like lumber, sandstones, gravel and plaster. Many scow captains and crew members were also fishermen, experienced in navigating the Petitcodiac's many currents and the extreme tides of the Bay of Fundy.
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Le Jean K. amarré au quai de Saint John, NB., 1940.
Ces bateaux à fond plat étaient considérés comme le cheval de trait de la rivière, lourdement chargés de bois d'œuvre, de grès, de gravier et de plâtre. Les capitaines de barges et les hommes de bord étaient souvent des pêcheurs également, ayant navigué longuement sur les nombreux courants de la Petitcodiac et les marées démesurées de la baie de Fundy.
Courtesy Molly Kool Centre, Alma, NB
6. Marker detail: Molly Kool
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En 1939, Myrtle « Molly » Kool devient la première femme en Amérique du Nord et la deuxième dans le monde à obtenir le diplôme de capitaine au long cours. Née à Alma au N.-B., elle commande le Jean K., une barge appartenant à son père, et navigue sur les eaux dangereuses de la baie de Fundy, le long de la côte est américaine jusqu'à Boston et vers Moncton en remontant la Petitcodiac.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 28, 2019
7. The Shipbuilding Era / La construction navale Marker
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(Rivière Petitcodiac à l’arrière-plan)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 6, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,322 times since then and 106 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on June 7, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
