Bartlett & Co. – Kingston, Ontario Shipbuilders

Overview

Bartlett & Co. was a shipbuilding firm based in Kingston, Ontario, active during the mid-to-late 19th century. The company was known for constructing wooden sailing ships, steamers, and lake vessels used for trade, passenger transport, and industrial shipping on the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River.

Shipbuilding in Kingston, Ontario

Kingston was a major Canadian shipbuilding center in the 19th century, producing a wide range of vessels, including:

• • Sailing ships (schooners, brigs, and barks) for trade and cargo transport.
• • Steam-powered vessels, including ferries and freight steamers.
• • Government and military vessels, due to Kingston’s proximity to the Royal Navy Dockyard and Fort Henry.

While Bartlett & Co. was not as well-documented as other Kingston shipbuilders, such as Calvin & Son, the firm contributed to Canada’s maritime economy, building vessels that served Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence River, and beyond.

Notable Vessels Built by Bartlett & Co.

Unfortunately, historical records on specific ships built by Bartlett & Co. are limited. Many smaller shipbuilding firms did not leave extensive archives, and records may be found in regional archives or historical ship registries.

Decline of Wooden Shipbuilding

By the late 19th century, the shipbuilding industry in Kingston began to decline as iron and steel-hulled vessels replaced wooden ships. Many smaller shipyards, including firms like Bartlett & Co., either closed or transitioned to ship repair and industrial manufacturing.

Legacy & Impact

Bartlett & Co. contributed to Kingston’s shipbuilding boom, helping supply vessels for commerce, transportation, and industrial trade. The firm played a role in the Great Lakes shipping industry, especially in the transition from sailing vessels to steam-powered ships. Though Kingston’s wooden shipbuilding industry declined, its legacy continues through historical preservation efforts and shipwreck discoveries.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Kingston Historical Society
• Great Lakes Ships Database

Conclusion

Though Bartlett & Co. is not as well-known as some Kingston shipbuilders, it was part of the larger maritime industrythat made Kingston a key hub for ship construction in the 19th century. Their work helped power the Great Lakes economy, though much of their history remains undocumented.

Would you like me to check specific archives or shipbuilding registries for more details on their vessels?

Keywords & Categories

Keywords: Kingston shipbuilding, Canadian shipbuilders, Great Lakes maritime history, wooden steamers, schooners

Categories: Canadian shipbuilders, 19th-century shipbuilding, Great Lakes shipbuilding

Glossary Terms: Shipyard, Wooden Steamship, Great Lakes Trade, Kingston Maritime Industry