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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.
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
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
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 timeHistorians 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