Welland in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Beatty & Sons Shipyard
Buildings & Industries
Photographed by Kevin Westell, August 1, 2025
1. Beatty & Sons Shipyard - Marker
The largest shipyard to operate in Welland was that of Mathew Beatty and his sons. Originally located near the aqueduct, it was later moved to the site at King and Lincoln Streets'. Beatty was instrumental in the development of steam machinery for shipbuilding and marine construction. At the turn of the century Mathew Beatty and Sons were building dredges for use in the construction of the fourth canal. The first all steel dredge that was built in Canada was completed at Beatty's shipyard. The tug Miseford, built in 1915 and later operating Sault Ste. Marie was also a product of the Beatty yard. Beatty's shipyard was leased by the British American Shipbuilding Company from 1917 to 1920 and five steamers for the war effort were built. The War Raccoon, the War Weasel and the War Badger were built for the Imperial Munitions Board. The Canadian Otter and Canadian Squatter were built for the Canadian Merchant Marine. The two Canadian ships were too long to fit through the locks on the Welland Canal so they were launched in two sections and towed to Montreal where the sections were then joined. With no further contracts on hand, the yard entered into voluntary liquidation in 1920.
Le plus grand chantier naval à fonctionner à Welland fur celui de Mathew Beatty et fils. Situé originellement près de l'aqueduc, il déménage plus tard au coin des rues King et Lincoln. Beatty a joué un rôle déterminant en ce qui concerne le développement de machines à vapeur pour la construction navale et la construction maritime. Au tournant du siècle, Mathew Beatty et fils construisait des dragues destinées à être utilisées pour la construction du quatrième canal. La première drague tout en acier, construite au Canada, fut complétée au chantier Beatty. Le remorqueur Miseford, construit en 1915 et opérant plus tard à Sault Ste. Marie fut aussi un produit du chantier Beauty. Le chantier naval Beatty fut loué par une entreprise de construction navale britannique-américaine de 1917 à 1920 et cinq navires à vapeur furent construits pour soutenir l'effort de guerre. The War Raccoon, The War Weasel et The War Badger furent construits pour la Commission Impériale des Munitions. The Canadian Otter et Canadian Squatter furent construits pour la marine marchande du Canada. Les deux navires canadiens, trop longs pour passer par les écluses du canal Welland, ont été mis à l'eau en deux sections et remorqués à Montréal où les sections furent fusionnées. Aucun autre contrat n'a été conclu, le chantier s'est donc mis en liquidation volontaire en 1920.
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Location. 42° 59.477′ N, 79° 15.059′ W. Marker is in Welland, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It can be reached from King Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 35 King Street, Welland ON L3B 3H9, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe and in Niagara Canada. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in 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, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Rupert’s Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The County Buildings (here, next to this marker); The Aqueducts (here, next to this marker); Merritt Park (here, next to this marker); The Welland Club (here, next to
Photographed by Kevin Westell, July 21, 2025
2. Beatty & Sons Shipyard - Marker in context
This photo faces west from King St. The marker is on the other side, the side facing the canal. In the background is the west tower of old Bridge 13.
Regarding Beatty & Sons Shipyard. Mathew Beatty was born in Ireland in 1809, became a marine engineer in Buffalo NY, then moved to Welland.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. This page has been viewed 84 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 2, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
