Shipbuilding first began at Quebec City in the late seventeenth century in order to satisfy the requirements of fishermen and colonial merchants involved in trade along the St. Lawrence River and the coast for vessels of low tonnage. Between 1730 and 1740, a hundred or so such small ships were launched from private shipyards. This activity encouraged the establishment of large, royal shipyards. After 1738, there was a concentrated effort at building vessels of 500 or more tons for official use. A work force of almost 200 men constructed ten large ships for the government. There were difficulties, however, as the workers were not experienced in this type of construction and Canadian woods proved to be unsuitable. This engraving shows the various stages involved in the construction of a flute, the type of vessel built at Quebec City. In the centre are various components of the structure. The curved parts posed the greatest problem, as it was necessary to find trees with the appropriate curvature.
Courtesy: Salle Gagnon, BibliothΦque municipale de MontrΘal
