Downtown in St. Catharines in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Ship Building On The Welland Canal
Photographed by Kevin Westell, August 7, 2025
1. Ship Building On The Welland Canal - Marker
Beginning in 1827, and running up until about the 1870s, five yards dominated the shipyard and drydock business of building and repairing ships. Most of the vessels produced in these yards were canallers or propellors made for shipping on the Welland Canal. They came in various sizes, shapes, names, and ship types with the main division between wind power (sailing vessels) and steam power (propellor vessels).
The five yards, some owner-operated, and other partnership firms were:
Robert Abbey (later taken over by sons J. and J.P. Abbey as the Abbey Brothers) (Port Robinson)
Donaldson and Andrews/D, A, & Ross/Andrews & Sons (Port Dalhousie)
Melancthon Simpson (St. Catharines)
Muir Brothers (Port Dalhousie)
Louis Shickluna (St. Catharines)
It's estimated that the Big Five built approximately 300 ships between 1830 and 1880, with Louis Shickluna building approximately 150. This number does not include repair work, which likely saw countless
this page online
Spend some time learning more about the Welland Canals at the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre. It is home to extraordinary historical collections and exhibits that feature local St. Catharines perspectives, artifacts and stories of the area and its canals.
Erected by City of St. Catharines.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the The Welland Canals series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1827.
Location. 43° 9.439′ N, 79° 14.695′ W. Marker is in St. Catharines, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It is in Downtown. It is on Saint Paul Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is in a concrete planter adjacent to the road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 132 St Paul Street, St Catharines ON L2R 3M2, 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 Ruperts Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The County Courthouse (about 210 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Oille Fountain (about 210 meters away); Entertainment In The Downtown (about 210 meters away); Rotary Reflecting Pool (about 240 meters away); Transportation
Photographed by Kevin Westell, August 7, 2025
2. Ship Building On The Welland Canal - Marker in context
Photo faces east across St. Paul St. (which is running north-east). The marker is a panel on a post (facing away from the road) in a planter box. The black metal arch leads the way to a raised walkway to the Meridian Centre (the city's big arena).
Another marker is no longer nearby. Shipbuilding in St. Catharines 1845 (was about 210 meters away but has been confirmed missing).
Credits. This page was last revised on August 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 9, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. This page has been viewed 58 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 9, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
