Trades Shipbuilding In the days of the sailing ship, vessels were built in every harbour, river, creek or bay. The shipbuilding industry provided the thrust needed to expand the village of . Building the Victory Chimes . Great Britain needed lumber and vessels to carry on its coastal trade. Agricultural produce would often be loaded on the ships and taken to New Brunswick where it would be sold. Lumber was then taken on and the ship would sail for Britain. The primary agricultural exports to Great Britain were oats and potatoes. During the 1830 - 1860's, the timber trade with Great Britain was most pronounced. When that showed signs of decline, the local trade began to grow. The seal and cod fisheries of Newfoundland were major users of ships and the export of potatoes and oats to Newfoundland was important as well. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth century the trade routes became more popular. 13