Cohoes in Albany County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Matton Shipyard
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, June 29, 2011
1. The Matton Shipyard Marker
The Matton Shipyard
John E. Matton built his shipyard here on Van Schaick Island in 1916, shortly after the new Barge Canal opened. Besides building barges and tugboats, the shipyard serviced and repaired the boats that travelled both the Erie and Champlain canals.
During World War II, the shipyard worked round-the-clock building submarine chasers for the Navy and tugboats for the Army. The fenced-in configuration of the shipyard today reflects those hectic years.
The Mattons continued in business until 1964, after which the Turecamo family carried on the ship building and boat repair tradition under the name of Matton Shipyard Company, Inc. The last of their line of sleek ocean-going tugboats was lanched in 1982, and the shipyard closed forever in 1983.
New York State purchased the Matton Shipyard in 1989. It will be developed in the future as part of the Peebles Island State Park complex.
Erected by New York State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1916.
Location. 42° 46.747′ N, 73° 40.867′ W. Marker is in Cohoes, New York, in Albany County. It is on
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York, in the Capital District, and in the Albany Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. 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 New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A Strategic Location (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); In All Seasons / Ebbs and Flows For Shipyard Workers (about 400 feet away); View of Van Schaick Island (approx. 0.3 miles away); Cluett, Peabody & Company (approx. 0.4 miles away); Herman Melville (approx. 0.4 miles away); Water Ford (approx. 0.4 miles away); An Urban Refuge (approx. 0.4 miles away); Native American & 17th-century History of Peebles Island (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cohoes.
Also see . . . Matton Shipyard - National Archives. National Register of Historic Places documentation (Submitted on November 14, 2023, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, October 12, 2011
2. The Matton Shipyard Marker - Flood Damaged
The Matton Shipyard marker was attached to one of the shipyard buildings. Flooding after Hurricane Irene in late September 2011 pushed this building off of its foundation and damaged the marker.
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, June 29, 2011
3. The Matton Shipyard Marker
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, October 12, 2011
4. The Matton Shipyard Building
The Matton Shipyard marker was attached to this colapsed building which was one of the shipyard buildings. Flooding after Hurricane Irene in late September 2011 pushed this building off of its foundation and damaged the marker.
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, November 7, 2011
5. The Matton Shipyard Marker
This is the building the marker was attached to. The edge of the marker can be seen as the white line in the lower left.
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, June 29, 2011
6. Matton Shipyard
Aerial view of Matton Shipyard, 1949, with oil transfer barge. This photo is posted on another nearby marker.
Photographed by Howard C. Ohlhous, October 13, 2016
7. Aerial View of The Matton Shipyard
Credits. This page was last revised on November 14, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 13, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. This page has been viewed 1,434 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 13, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 5. submitted on November 8, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 6. submitted on October 13, 2011, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 7. submitted on November 16, 2019, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
