The first shipyard in Cardigan was located on the south side of the river about half a mile from the original bridge at the head of the river. About half a mile further down was another yard. These first shipyards died when the second bridge was built a mile down the river in 1862. It cut off access to the mouth of the river, leaving no way for the ships to reach the sea. The most active yard was located on the south bank about a half mile below the second bridge. Lemuel Cambridge Owen was the master builder at this yard, which was responsible for more than half the ships built in Cardigan . The first ship built in Cardigan was the 259-ton Alfred . The last ships were the 18-ton Neil, and the 183-ton Anna MacDonald . Shipbuilding was very important to Cardigan 's economy. Usually a gang of men went into the forest during the winter to bring out the timber to build a fine ship during spring and summer. The ships in this area were made mainly from spruce and it took about 40 men to build one. The erection of frames or "ribs" of the ships, the "planking up" and other jobs provided- work for many people. Some farmers abandoned their fields to work in the shipyards, enticed by the ready credit the storekeepers offered to shipyard workers. Excerpts from the Patriot describe shipbuilding and the shipping trade in Cardigan , in 1897: —Shipping is quite brisk here at present; —The schooner Mary E . is being loaded for St. Pierre by her owners, Messrs. McCormack and Morson; —The schooner Morell , from Newfoundland is being loaded with turnips and potatoes by D.C. Morson and Co.; — Mr. James E. MacDonald 's new brigantine will be launched on Wednesday, 27th of October. She is a beautiful model, and the work¬ manship reflects great credit on Mr. D.S. McLaren the foreman, and his crew; —The schooner Carmena arrived here from St. Pierre yesterday. She had a very rough passage. She will again load for her owners, Messrs. MacDonald and Nicholson; —The spars are being put in the new brigantine Stella, owned by James E. MacDonald . The Stella will load here for St. John's, New¬ foundland. She will take a general cargo and sail in time to reach St. John's during Christmas week. From St. John's she will take a cargo to Brazil When shipbuilding began in Cardigan , the first shipwrights came from Britain. These pioneering shipwrights were replaced by Islanders who took their apprenticeship from them. At least seven years of hard work went into learning the shipwright's trade. An accomplished shipbuilder had to be skilled in all areas, from model¬ ling to rigging. There was very little specialization in those days. The master builder supervised all stages. Many of those first ships were built without blueprints. When the shape and size of the ship had been decided, the master builder made a half-model of the future ship. This half-model was made from pieces of wood usually half an inch thick. When placed one on top of another, wooden pegs were driven through to fasten them securely. The outline of the ship was then traced on the wooden block and the shape of the half-ship cut and chiselled from it. The pieces were separated and