Island to a point of land in East Bideford, Prior to that, crossing was by ferry, rowboat, motorboat, or walking across on the ice. This was often treacherous, especially in spring when the ice was breaking up or in early winter before the ice was thick enough. Lives were lost either by drown- ing, or in case Of illness, not being able to get medical attention quickly.

When Napoleon declared a blockade of Britain’s ports in 1806—7, tim- ber, which was desperately needed for building warships and merchant ships, became very scarce in England. It was known that a wealth of for- est existed in North America, however, the cost of bringing timber across the Atlantic would be much higher than having it shipped from the Baltic ports. Before bankers and merchants would invest in developing a North American timber trade, they required guarantees that the trade would continue after the wartime crisis ended. High duties were therefore imposed on Baltic timber imported into Britain, and were not totally abolished until 1860. These conditions made possible the development of the Canadian lumber industry and were of great importance in the Open- ing up and settlement of Canada. New Brunswick became one Of the chief sources Of lumber, much Of it being shipped through Miramichi Bay. A substantial amount also came from Nova Scotia, and later, Prince Edward Island joined in the timber trade with Britain.

William Ellis Of North Devon, England was a competent master ship- wright. He studied engineering and served apprenticeship in the ship— yards, drafting and superintending the making Of molds for ships.

Richard Chapman had become the most important shipbuilder in North Devon and had a shipyard at Upper Cleave Houses located near Bideford, England.

He entered into partnership with William Ellis and under the business name Of Chapman & Ellis they established a shipyard Where many ships were built of varying tonnage, chiefly warships for the British Government. They also built ships for Thomas Burnard, a wealthy timber merchant. Due to the blockade, in 1809 Chapman and Ellis were able to build only one ship, a 50 foot vessel with one mast, rigged as a sloop and named the PETER & SARAH. Thomas Burnard purchased it in 1816.

In the HISTORY OF THE ELLIS FAMILY by Preston Ellis, it is told that in August, 1809 a ship owned by Chapman & Ellis, sailed from Bideford,

6 ROOTS & BRANCHES