14

Ocean Transport in for Repair
1950
Port Greville, N.S.


Credits:
Age of Sail Heritage Center

15

Wagstaff & Hatfield Fishing Vessel
1960
Port Greville, N.S.


Credits:
Age of Sail Heritage Center

16

The firm turned out power scows, a freight boat , 3 pleasure craft , over 150 long liners, seiners and draggers as well as the 12 minesweepers. George Wagstaff was builder of over 200 wooden hulled vessels, over 60 houses, 3 mills and asssorted other structures. The fishing vessels were sold and used mainly in Grand Manan, N.B., Digby, N.S. and the Grand Banks of New Foundland and some are still in existance today.

17

Fishing
1970
Port Greville, N.S.


Credits:
Age of Sail Heritage Center

18

The make and brake gas and diesel engines used in the fishing vessels built at the Wagstaff and Hatfield yard came from Acadian Engines in Bridgewater N.S.

19

Acadia Engines
1960
Bridgewater, N.S.


Credits:
Age of Sail Heritage Center

20

Wagstaff and Hatfield Shipyard
Circa 1970
Port Greville, N.S.


Credits:
Age of Sail Heritage Center Museum

21

Inflation was only a minimal concern prior to 1972 but in that year it hit with a vengence. The firm contracted for 4 vessels and was locked in at pre-inflation prices. The sever finacial losses was the end for this once prosperous shipyard. Despite the decline in popularity for wooden hulled vessels and a full 71 years of boat building, George Wagstaff always wanted to reopen the shipyard after its closure in 1972. However the end of the dream occured on February 2, 1976 when the Groundhog Day gale swept through Port Greville. The storm reduced the large boat shed to a pile of ruble. Many smaller buildings were severly damaged or swept out to sea by the storm surge. This date is known as the day that shipbuilding on the Parrsborough Shore ended for good. The death of George Wagstaff followed in 1978, the loss of a historic master builder.

22

After the storm
12 February 1976
Port Greville, N.S.