The Golden Age of B.C. Shipbuilding

Everyone has seen the story in the news: B.C. Ferries has contracted to spend billions—billions—of dollars, building new ferries in China. 

The only real surprise is China; we’ve been ordering ferries from European countries for years.

There was a time, and not really all that long ago, when shipbuilding in B.C. was a mega industry, one absolutely vital to the nation’s defence and to its economy. We still have shipbuilding, of course, but the fabled shipyards of old, in Vancouver and Victoria, are history.

And since history is what the Chronicles are all about, I’ll take you back in time when this vital marine industry, like charity, began at home. 

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PHOTO: Shift change at Burrard Shipyards, 1944. —BC Archives