in 1831; the schooner COMMERCE, 19 tons, 1833; and the brigantine PYRRHA, 113 tons, in 1834. All but the schooner were transferred to Plymouth, UK. Similarly, John Cambridge’s sons, Artemus of Bristol, England, and Lemuel of Charlottetown financed the construction of a number of vessels, commencing with the schooner EAGLE in 1817, and concluding

in 1826 with the brig ROBERT PEEL, 299 tons.

Prior to 1839 shipbuilders in New London contributed regularly to the output of the Island’s shipbuilding industry. Between 1839 and 1875, however, the area became the centre of activity, and 172 vessels, an average of 4.7 vessels per annum, were constructed. Shipbuilding activity mirrored the overall pro- duction levels on the Island throughout this period. The dramatically increased output of 1839 was followed by a 20 year period of consistent pro- duction, which culminated in the major and unprecedented expansion of the mid 1860’s. This was particularly pronounced at New London as 37 vessels were launched in the three years between 1864 and 1866. Output then declined rapidly, no vessel was built around the bay between 1876 and 1878, and in the period 1879—1906 only six additional vessels were launched in New London Bay.”3

“Unlike other areas where shipbuilding activity was determined by demand in the British shipmarket, non—resident investors played a small role around New London Bay. Indeed non—residents owned only 48 of the [72 vessels built between 1839 and 1875. Nevertheless, as in other areas, most of the vessels they financed were sold to the British market. Overall, non—residents failed to establish any long term ship building connections in the New London Bay area. The Douse family of Charlottetown, including John, James, Frederick Arthur and James Phillips were the most active non-resident investors. Between 1864 and 1869 they built 7 vessels including 7 brigantines, all of which were sold to the United Kingdom. James Peake contracted for five vessels at New London, the first of which was the barque FREE TRADER, 286 tons, built in 1847. Edward Langley Lydiard of Charlottetown had four vessels constructed for him here in the 1850’s. James Colledge Pope of near— by Surnmerside, Hugh Monaghan a Charlottetown merchant and William Welsh each financed three vessels at New London. Those who invested on one or two occasions included Francis Longworth, Daniel Davies, W.W. and Artemus Lord, Henry Hazard, Peter W. Hyndman, W.H. Hobkirk, Archibald Kennedy, all of Charlottetown, and Ephriam Read of Bedeque.”

“Otherwise construction was spread among a large number of local residents. The more prominent included the Morris family, the Bells, MacKays, and Simpsons. The Morris family of Joseph, George, John Jr., Robert, Joseph Cottle and William Cyrus built 14 vessels between 1848 and 1874. Their pro- duction of five brigantines, four schooners, and two brigs was intended for the transfer trade, and all but one were dispatched to the United Kingdom. One of these, the brigantine HEDLY, 142 tons, built in 1865 recorded an extremely quick passage across the North Atlantic.”

The Brigantine “Hedly”, William Russel, Master, owned by and built by Mr. Joseph Morris, has made the quickest passage on record from this Island to

3 DeJong, Nicholas & Moore, Marven E, hi il i n Prin E W'r l'l'n (City: History Division, Mercury Series, Year) 46

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