Industry Shipbuilding Founded 1882 Fate Liquidation | Headquarters Collingwood Defunct 1986 (aged 104) | |
Successor Canadian Shipbuilding and Engineering Limited Founder J.D Silcox and S.D Andrews Products Lake freighters, Naval vessels | ||
Collingwood Shipbuilding was a major Canadian shipbuilder of the late 19th and 20th centuries. The facility was located in the Great Lakes and saw its business peak during the Second World War.
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History
Formed in 1882 as Collingwood Dry Dock, Shipbuilding and Foundry Company in Collingwood, Ontario by J.D Silcox and S.D Andrews and renamed with the shortened name in 1892, Collingwood Shipbuilding's core business was building Lake freighters, ships built to fit the narrow locks of the St. Lawrence Seaway.
Over the company's lifetime it built over 200 ships. During the Second World War (1940–1944), the company was contracted to build 23 warships for the Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Navy, mostly corvettes and minesweepers.
The shipyard was acquired by Canada Steamship Lines (CSL) in 1945. Business slowed in the 1970s and by the 1980s orders were in severe decline. The shipyard closed following the merger of CSL's shipbuilding interest with Upper Lakes Shipping to form Canadian Shipbuilding and Engineering Limited in 1986. The company folded in 1986 with the last ship completed, CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier for the Canadian Coast Guard.
The Shipyard waterfront community
CSL retained ownership of the land and slowly the buildings and structures of the old shipyard were demolished. Left vacant for almost two decades and then sold to developers Fram + Slokker. Beginning in 2004 the former shipyard has been rezoned from industrial to commercial use. The property has been undergoing re-development as part of Collingwood Harbour's revitalization plan. The area will be home to a residential community consisting of low-rise condos, townhomes and detached homes. The former berths will be surrounded by a boardwalk and feature docking facilities for pleasure craft. Landscaping will provide a setting to attract residents and visitors to enjoy the views of the harbour.