20 Trade and Commerce

sheathed and had an iron keel. Unfortunately she broke through the launchings and the newspaper notes: “there will be trouble relaunching her.” It is possible she may have been one of the first iron keeled ships of that time launched in the Souris area.

John Knight’s largest and most important shipyard was at the mouth of Souris River on the west side, just south of the site of the present bridge. T.J. Kickham owned the other big shipyard just opposite on the east side of the River.

Many of these yards were rented out to other builders from time to time and, over the years, changed hands so there may be some overlapping in the list given here. For example, the Wesleyan of June 1, 1878, notes the brig Anna Bell of 378 tons built at Souris West by James Keefe at Keefe’s yard. The location of this yard is not clear. But James Keefe did use the Kickham shipyard to build the two-masted, 99 ton vessel, the Nutwood for Matthew, McLean & Co. in 1888.

The name Chaisson is prominent in the history of shipbuilding in East- ern Kings. In 1784, the Seaflower, 23 tons, was built by Peter and Germaine Chaisson at Fortune. Between 1798 and 1834, ten ships are listed under this name, spelled variously as Shushong (Lady 39 tons, 1798), Chassony (Suc- cess, 58 tons, 1818), and Chassong (Smuggler, 43 tons, 1834). The P.E.I. Register lists Jean Chaisson and Maturin Chaisson both of Colville Bay, mariners, owners and builders of 44 ton shallop, Peggy, built at Colville Bay in 1816. This would be one of the earliest registered for the Souris River area.

The Kickham family made an outstanding contribution to the develop- ment of Souris West in the early days. Edward Kickham and his son, Thomas, known as Tee Kay, probably to distinguish him from his cousin of the same name, were very active in the shipbuilding and shipping trade. Edward, born in County Tipperary, Ireland in 1805, came to the Island in 1830 and to Souris West in 1851 after teaching school for two years. His wife, Mary Breathett, whom he married in Ireland, died in 1845 at age 33. His second wife was Margaret Scully. Edward was a farmer, storekeeper, ship-

Coumy Pictures of the Put by lands. T.K. Kickham Store

The tall man on the steps - bookkeeper, Jimmy “Paddy” McInnis, T.K. Kickham is the man with the hat and grey beard. Four of the ladies are identified as Maggie Kick- ham, Maggie Mullally, Gertie Hayes and Dolly Lord - all employees ofT.K. Kickham.