Shipbuilding
Building a Connection to the World
The first vessel known to have been built in Yarmouth was launched by John Sollows at Fish Point in 1764. Over the years, many ships were built in nearby communities such as Argyle, Tusket, Plymouth, Salmon River, Meteghan, and Belliveau's Cove as well as in the six shipyards on Yarmouth Harbour.
A ready supply of timber and a skilled workforce of shipwrights, marine blacksmiths, riggers, and sailmakers all contributed to the success of the shipbuilding industry. In 1879, Yarmouth recorded the 2nd largest registered tonnage of vessels in Canada. At the time, Canada was the 4th ranking shipping nation in the world.
[Photo captions, from left to right, read]
• Ferry Dartmouth under construction at the Burrell-Johnson Shipyard, 1888. The Dartmouth provided ferry service between Halifax and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia from 1888 until 1935.
• The schooner Irene C is nearing completion on the right.
• Shipbuilders at work on the motor vessel W. D. Sweeney in 1942 at the W. Lawrence Sweeney Shipyard.
• Background [photo]
John D. Kirk and Walter D. Sweeney Shipyard on Water Street at the foot of Pearl Street, Yarmouth. Two large schooners are shown on the stocks during the First World War.
• The schooner Grace and Ruby the first
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• Shipyards known to have been in operation around Yarmouth Harbour.
• Stages of construction of the four masted schooner Letitia L. McKay at Meteghan in 1916.
• Oval [photo]
A Burell-Johnson Iron Company blueprint. It is not known if a vessel was built from these plans.
• The barquentine Baldwin was built at Meteghan, Nova Scotia in 1891 for the purpose of carrying locomotives manufactured by the Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia, USA to Argentina. She later went on to carry other cargoes including lumber, coal, and salt.
Learn more about Yarmouth's heritage at the Yarmouth County Museum and Archives, 22 Collins Street.
Erected 2003 by Yarmouth Waterfront Development Corporation and Others.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Man-Made Features • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1764.
Location. 43° 50.685′ N, 66° 7.121′ W. Marker is in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, in Yarmouth County. Marker is on Water Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is about about 50 meters NNW of Tim Hortons/Wendy's,
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Political Life (a few steps from this marker); Milton Clock (within shouting distance of this marker); Early Settlement (within shouting distance of this marker); The Fishery (within shouting distance of this marker); Rum Running (within shouting distance of this marker); Land Transportation (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Manufacturing (about 150 meters away); Coronation Park (approx. half a kilometer away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Yarmouth.
Also see . . .
1. Why There Was Shipbuilding in the Maritimes. (Submitted on July 27, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. A Brief Town of Yarmouth History. (Submitted on July 27, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 27, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 365 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 27, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
