H. Jones & Company Shipyard – Brockville, Ontario

Overview

H. Jones & Company was a prominent shipbuilding company located in Brockville, Ontario, during the 19th century. The shipyard was an integral part of the maritime industry on the St. Lawrence River and contributed to the construction of various types of vessels, including steamships and wooden sailing vessels.

Location:

• Brockville, Ontario – Situated on the St. Lawrence River, Brockville’s location was strategic for shipbuilding, as the river provided access to the broader Great Lakes and was an essential shipping route for both cargo and passenger vessels.

History & Operations:

 Founded By: The company was established and operated by H. Jones, whose full name is less commonly recorded in surviving documents but was an influential figure in Brockville’s shipbuilding industry.

Shipbuilding Focus: The shipyard primarily focused on building wooden steamships, but also produced other vessel types, including sailing vessels. The shipyard’s vessels were well-suited for navigation on the St. Lawrence River and the larger Great Lakes system, which was vital for trade during the 19th century.

•Shipbuilding Era: The most notable years for H. Jones & Company were during the mid to late 1800s, when the demand for steam-powered vessels was growing. Steamships were increasingly needed for both passenger and freight transport, leading to a boom in the shipbuilding industry in Ontario and along the St. Lawrence River.

Notable Vessels Built by H. Jones & Company

• The Protection was a wooden propeller vessel built in 1851 at Brockville, Ontario by the shipbuilder George H. Notter. Originally owned by H. Jones & Company of Brockville, Ontario, the Protection, was a screw-propelled steamship with a hull tonnage of 120 tons. The ship underwent major repairs in 1854, possibly in Montreal, and at some point was upgraded to a tonnage of 160 tons. It continued its service along the Saint Lawrence River, notably for the Jones & McDonald Company Freight Line, which ran between Hamilton, Toronto, and Montreal.