Appendix 4 - A Brief History of the Shipyard of G. & J. Salter

Summary

[This description is derived from Joseph's scribbled notes on their assets at the time of the bankruptcy in 1859]:

The shipyard occupied about 9 acres of land with 3 or 4 more on land in Moncton adjoining the Yard. There were 3 launching wharves and blocks on which ships’ keels were laid, plus a regular landing wharf. There were the usual cranes, crabs, and winches associated with building and launching large vessels. The whole property containing 10 to 12 acres in all, was in the village, with a waterfront equal to one-half the Bend. On this property were two stores, a 40 ÷ 80 foot 2 1/2 storey building, two houses, and a mill — approximately 105 ÷ 55 feet, on the shore of the Petticodiac. There were several other smaller buildings, one of which must have been a smithy, as two anvils and a large vice-grip are listed. Salter also lists steam apparatus, etc. which may have been used in bending frames (ribs) for ships under construction. There is extant a bill from a William Torrey (1854) for building “Boilers in Mill,” and a “Steam Box Boiler.“

At the time of bankruptcy the stock in the shipyard included many valuable supplies, e.g. moulded timbers, shaped pieces, masts, tops, spars, tressel-trees, timber, copper (over 4 tons), sawed plank, and other fittings sufficient to build several vessels. There were also four horses, sleds and carts. Probably one of the smaller buildings was a stable.

The hulls, frames and main structures of the Salter ships were built of hackmatack (tamarack), highly resistant to decay; and were finished with red pine. Hence, some vessels were afloat 30 and 40 years after launching and still in service.