SHIPBUILDING ON PRINCE

EDWARD ISLAND

NAPOLEONIC WAR Europe was blockaded during the Nap.

War, leaving Britain cut off from her traditional timer supplies forcing Britain to look to the North American colonies.

Why PEI?

WHY PEI? Plentiful timber supply – “floating forest” Many ports, access to Atlantic Ocean Labour – experienced European

shipbuilders Offered tenants a way to pay their rents

by cutting timber or working in the shipyards

THE CHIEF INDUSTRY By 1820 lumbering and shipbuilding

were the chief industry of Prince Edward Island, accounting for three quarters of all exports. Shipbuilding was a very important part of the economy during the early 19th century.

The export of foodstuffs increased significantly but not to benefit of the tenant farmers, many of whom pass their farm produce to their landlords in lieu of cash rent payments.

TRADES IN SHIPBUILDING The Sawyer

Saw timber along its length to make pairsWorked/hired in pairsPaid by day/job/amount of wood cut

Ship Carpenter – works in mould loft that has a clear floor space that is half the length of largest ship to be built there

The PlankerCover wooden frames/beams both inside

and out

The Sailmaker – Expensive product; well paidSeven year apprentice, pass from father to

sonWorked in large, clear loftsUsed canvas4 stiches per inch; 20 yards per hour

Blockmaker /MastmakerPulleysContained moving partsTo lift heavy frames onto the keel, beach

ships for repairs

CONT. The Caulker

All important to keep the ship water tightBottom of every ship caulked once every

five yearsWalked to work with folding stool on back

and bag of tools hanging form the caulking mallet which is slung over their shoulder

Ship JoinerMoulding and trim; the interior appearanceA finishing touch on the ship

CONT. Ship Carver – figureheads Ship Smith – gradually more important

as switch from wood to steel The Painter/Gilder/Glazier – paints hull,

spars, decks and tween docks; three coats of paints and varnish

CONT. The Pumpmaker

Ships are not always water tight; need a way to pump excess water

The RopemakerMade from hemp and manila “hemp”; grew

in most temperate regions notably Russia

CONT. The Ship Rigger

took the masts and spars from the mastmaker, the iron work from the shipsmith, the rope from the ropemaker, pulleys form the blockmaker, the sails from the sailmaker and erected the whole apparatus.

WHAT CAN WE LEARN ABOUT ALL THE DIFFERENT TRADES UTILIZED

IN THE SHIPPING INDUSTRY?

SO WHAT.... THE SHIPBUILDING INDUSTRY CREATED JOBS ? It was a specialized industry, the first of

its kind on Prince Edward Island. Specialized? The industry created

employment for skilled labourers. The industry sold a finish product rather

than raw products ( timber, produce, fish).

When you process materials, or make finish products more profit can be made, therefore making the industry very important to the Island.

THAT ETHEL IS A LARGE ONE Largest ship built in Charlottetown,

Ethel, launched in Ch’town harbour 1858, weighing 1795 tons ! James Duncan or call him J.D

What’s tonnage?Old way- cargo spaceNew way - volume

WHO WAS THE MOST FAMOUS ISLAND SHIPBUILDER..?

JAMES YEO

JAMES YEO Came from England in 1819 Began his business life dealing with lumber and

operating the general store in Port Hill Very poor, but created “smart business” as a land

agent- “stealing” rents Launched his first boat 1833 Eventually owned 5 shipyards and largest

shipbuilder on PEI – sail lofts provisions for riggers and accommodations for workmen

Extended Yeo family credited with building 300 vessels

Conservative, Port Hill representative in Assembly 1839 – 1867 ( 6 years)

Use of blackmail; loans for votes

WHICH ONE IS NOT LIKE THE OTHER? Master Builder - supervised the day to

day construction of the vessel Master Owner – the person who owned

the shipyard and employed the master builder.

But yes, sometimes one was the other. James Yeo

WHAT IS HIS HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE?

DIMENSIONS OF HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE Significance depends upon one’s

perspective.Social, Cultural, Economic, Oral,

Significance depends on context. For example: Industry/economic or development

of rural west prince. Change over time

Historians will never run out of material to research. Always new information/evidence; new interpretations of the same event.

SOCIAL IMPACT OF SHIPBUILDING Summerside replaced Princetown as the

capital of Prince County Gave Islanders a sense of pride Launchings attracted a large crowd and

schools were closed. Gave capital to skill labourers, attracts

settlers; spreads wealth to farmers and the lumber industry

Keeping young skilled labour. Hindered outmigration

NUMBER OF SHIPS BUILT

1824

1832

1840

1848

1856

1864

1872

0

20

4060

80

100120

140

Number of ships built

1796-1810 71 ships launched 1830s 5041860s 9131870s 5451880s 129