Shipbuilding and sea captains

For several decades prior to the 1920s, Harbourville, Kings County, a seafaring village on the Bay of Fundy; was also a shipbuilding community.

These were not simply small fishing vessels, but real ships that made their way over the seven seas doing business in many parts of the world.

It would be difficult to obtain a complete list of vessels built in Harbourville using wood from the nearby forest and floated down the brook and into the harbour.

The first vessel to be built on the west side of the wharf, right on the spot where the entrance to the Seasside Park Hotel would later be located, was a barque. It was followed by the brigantine “F.H. Parker,” built and owned by D.B. Parker. The “Gold Finder” and the “Eva Parker,” also built and owned by Mr. Parker, were constructed on the east side of the harbour. The “Sabia” and the “John Givan” were built in the shipyard near the bridge.

Some vessels and their captains were: “C.A. Jones,” Captain Jim Morris; “Gold Finder,” Capt. Sam McBride; “Eva Parker,” Capt. J.B. Slocumb; “Sabia,” Capt. John Charlton; “John Givan,” Capt. Nate Fisher and “F.H. Parker,” Capt. W.J. McNealey.

In addition to the above deep sea ships built in Harbourville, there were a lot of coastal schooners built. Harbourville also had a number of other deep sea captains commanding ships not built in the village.

The “Ruby L,” a steamer from Margaretsville captained by Clare Baker, made regular stops in this port. The sloop “Nina C” also used the shipping facilities in Harbourville.

By the 1920s, shipbuilding had all but ended in Harbourville, but there were several sea captains doing very well in the tourist industry. Excursions and hand-line fishing were very popular during this period.