J. Tait Shipbuilding – Wellington, Ontario

J. Tait was a notable shipbuilding company located in Wellington, Ontario, during the 19th century. The company was responsible for constructing several ships, including the H.N. Todman, which was built in 1867. Shipbuilders in Wellington, like J. Tait, played an essential role in the maritime history of the Great Lakes region, contributing to both commercial and passenger vessels in the late 1800s.

Although detailed records specifically about J. Tait’s shipbuilding activities are limited, it is clear that shipyards in Wellington were active in the mid-1800s, constructing vessels for local shipping needs, primarily on Lake Ontario and Lake Huron.

History of Shipbuilding in Wellington, Ontario

Wellington, situated on the northern shore of Lake Ontario, was home to a thriving shipbuilding industry in the 19th century. The town’s location, with access to the waters of the Great Lakes and nearby timber resources, made it an ideal site for shipbuilding.

The shipyard run by J. Tait contributed to the region’s economic growth, providing vessels for a variety of purposes, including trade and transportation. The shipyard’s output would have included both smaller, local schooners like the H.N. Todman and other vessels for more extensive trade routes across the lakes.

Despite the importance of shipbuilding in Wellington, records of individual shipbuilders and their vessels are sometimes sparse, especially for smaller shipyards like J. Tait’s. However, their contributions remain significant in the context of the Great Lakes’ maritime history.

Vessels owned operated or built for

• Aberdeen was a wooden-hulled propeller-driven bulk freighter built for versatility and utility on the Great Lakes. Known as a “rabbit,” its small size and agile design allowed it to navigate shallower waters and tight spaces. With a gross tonnage of 142 tons, the vessel primarily transported bulk goods such as coal, grain, and lumber, making it a vital component of Great Lakes commerce during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• H.N. Todman was a two-masted Schooner built in 1867 by shipbuilder J. Tait in Wellington, Ontario. Known for its sturdy wooden Hull, it measured 92 feet in length, 20 feet in beam, and 10 feet in depth. It had a Gross Tonnage of 110 and a Net Tonnage of 110, both marking its moderate size as a vessel of the period.

Notable Shipbuilders in the Region

While J. Tait’s shipyard may not have been as well-documented as some other larger operations, it was part of a broader shipbuilding community in the area. Some notable shipbuilders from Ontario’s Great Lakes region during this time included:

• Shipyard of Henry J. L. Watson in Port Hope, Ontario, known for building larger schooners and steamships.
• The McCall family shipyard in Kingston, Ontario, responsible for several important commercial vessels.

The shipbuilding activities in Cobourg, which were well-known throughout the region for their sturdy, reliable vessels, particularly in the early 1800s.

While J. Tait’s shipbuilding company specifically may not have left behind extensive records, it still played a role in supporting the thriving trade and transportation industry across the Great Lakes during the late 1800s.

Sources for Further Reading:

• Great Lakes Shipwrecks & Survivals
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

Conclusion

J. Tait’s shipyard in Wellington, Ontario, represents a small but significant part of the shipbuilding industry on the Great Lakes. While much of the historical record is limited, J. Tait contributed to the construction of vessels like the H.N. Todman, which became part of the maritime legacy of the region. Wellington’s shipyards, like many others around the Great Lakes, played a critical role in connecting the lakes’ communities and supporting the local economy.