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Shipbuilding was one of the first known industries in Norris Arm many years ago. History tells us that there were two shipbuilding companies - The Norris Arm Shipbuilding Co. and a company based at Rattling Brook. The Norris Arm Shipbuilding Co. built many schooners from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. The sawmill provided the lumber to make these ships and in return these ships were used to transport lumber to other areas of the Island.2
Mr. Baxter Langdon, a longtime resident of Norris Arm, remembers when his father, John Langdon, a shipbuilder, allowed him to board the Pauline Martin when it was being launched around 1917 on the mouth of the Exploits River in Norris Arm. One important businessman, Michael E. Martin, for whom the Pauline Martin was built, played an integral part in the Norris Arm Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. located, Mr. Langdon recalls, at "The dock", where the Military Hangar was later erected.3
Agreement between Norris Arm Shipbuilding Co. Ltd and Saunders, Howell and Co. Ltd.19 January 1919
Carbonear, Newfoundland, Canada
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Dated January 18, 1919, this is an agreement between Mr. Martin representing the Norris Arm Shipbuilding Co. and Major Baird representing Saunders, Howell & Co. Ltd regarding the sale of lumber.5
Construction of Schooner1920
unknown
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The shipyard in Norris Arm was a busy place for many years, constructing schooners similar to the one shown in this picture.Another Norris Arm resident, Mr. Irvin Manuel remembers his father telling him that his grandfather, Samuel Manuel, was a shipbuilder and carpenter. Mr. Manuel worked at building schooners in Norris Arm and also helped with constructing the houses at the "Company Range".
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Schooner1920
unknown
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Depending on what the schooner was used for, the Norris Arm Shipbuilding Co. constructed various sized ships to accommodate the buyers' needs. This picture depicts a typical schooner built in Norris Arm. A schooner of this size may have been used for fishing, merchant trade or shipping lumber.9
Schooners that were built by either the Norris Arm Shipbuilding Co. or other shipbuilding companies had to be registered with the government. The following is a list of vessel registries accredited to Ships and Seafarers of Atlantic Canada - Memorial University of Newfoundland.10
Schooner, Ellie D1877
Norris Arm, Newfoundland, Canada
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Ellie D (43 GT, 40 NT, 57' long, 17' beam, 7' depth) built in 1877 and registered in 1878. She was built for and owned by St. John's merchant Philip Hutchins. Her registry was closed in 1899 at Sloop Cove, Labrador.12
Schooner, Sunburst1878
Norris Arm, Newfoundland, Canada
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Sunburst (45 GT, 41 NT, 57' long, 18' beam, 7' depth), built in 1878 and registered in 1879. She was built for Philip Hutchins, a St. John's merchant. Her registry was closed in 1885 at Caplin Cove, BB.14
Schooner, Circassian1891
Norris Arm, Newfoundland, Canada
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