Built along the Lachine Canal, Cantin's dockyards, known as the Canada Marine Works, rapidly became famous because of his innovative approach. Cantin was the first person to carry out in one place all stages of steamship production. His workshops made everything, from the hull to the steam engine and all the essential machinery and tackle. From 1846 the dockyards were extremely busy - building, repairing and overhauling the ships that plied the St. Lawrence upstream and downstream from Montreal. The engraving shows the various workshops, the dry dock and the ramps used to bring smaller ships out of the water. Around 1851, the firm had a work force of 175 which made it one of the largest employers in the city. It should be remembered that at the time very few businesses employed more than fitty people; the census of 1851-1852 listed only six such businesses in the whole of Montreal.
Courtesy: Charles P. deVolpi and P.S. Winkworth, Montreal, a Pictorial Record: Historical Prints and Illustrations of the City of Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada, 1535-1885
