1

The Wagstaff and Hatfield Shipbuilding and repairs began around 1933 and lasted until 1976. This firm was the major employer on the parrsborough shore for over 40 years.

2

Port Greville Cove
1890's
Port Greville, N.S.


Credits:
Age of Sail Heritage Center

3

George Wagstaff was born in 1887 and began his career in shipbuilding at the age of 13 in 1901 working full-time with his father on the construction of the schooner Doris Pickup. George headed west in the summer of 1902 with his father and built vessels in B.C. and houses in Alberta. They returned to Annapolis and built more sailing vessels in 1909 & 1910. He then returned to B.C. and started his own shipyard in 1913. A few years later, around 1916, George moved to Port Greville and built several sailing vessels for the Elderkins then built his own mill and shipbuilding firm. In 1920 he formed the Wagstaff and Wetmore lumbering firm which dissolved when the "little depressionof the early 20"s" hit. he moved to Granville Ferry then to Melrose Mass where he built over 50 homes until the depression of 1929. Financially Beret he returned to Port Greville N.S. and built wharves, scows and a freight boat.

4

Barbara W
1919-1922
Port Greville, N.S.


Credits:
Age of Sail Heritage Center

5

Otto Hatfield was born and raised in Port Greville and worked in the family retail business at a young age. The store had both an Ice Cream Parlor as well as a Millenary(hat maker). In 1933 Otto Hatfield joined George as a partner, responsible for financial operations and the firm became known as Wagstaff and Hatfield Shipbuilding and Repairs. Although not a ship builder, Otto was an integral part of the firm serving as Secretary, Treasurer, Office Manager and Purchasing Manager.

6

George Wagstaff and Otto Hatfield
1950-1960
Port Greville, N.S.


Credits:
Age of Sail Heritage Center

7

Many tools were used in the shipyard but perhaps one of the most intimidating items to come to the yard was the bandsaw. This bandsaw was purchased in 1942 for the building of the minesweepers. For over 30 years it was operated by George Hatfield and is now housed in a out building at the Age of Sail Museum.

8

Bandsaw
1942
Port Greville, N.S.


Credits:
Age of Sail Heritage Center

9

Mine Sweeper hull 99
1942
Port Greville, N.S.


Credits:
Age of Sail Heritage Center

10

During WWII three yards were kept busy wiith the building of transfer scows and mine sweepers, at times the number of employees exceeded one hundred. The company built 12 wooden hulled mine sweepers for the British Admiralty which were outfitted in Shelburne before heading to the UK. This was all in addition to the many fishing and pleasure craft built by this yard.

11

Protector II
1989
Faulkland Island


Credits:
Age of Sail Heritage Center

12

Power Scow "Blunder"
Circa 1960
Port Greville, N.S.


Credits:
John Wagstaff Collection

13

In 1957 the yard became incorporated as Wagstaff and Hatfield limited, as Otto Hatfield left the firm and Charlie Murphy took over the roll of financer. The yard continued building and repairing various vessels until 1972.

14

Ocean Transport in for Repair
1950
Port Greville, N.S.


Credits:
Age of Sail Heritage Center

15

Wagstaff & Hatfield Fishing Vessel
1960
Port Greville, N.S.


Credits:
Age of Sail Heritage Center

16

The firm turned out power scows, a freight boat , 3 pleasure craft , over 150 long liners, seiners and draggers as well as the 12 minesweepers. George Wagstaff was builder of over 200 wooden hulled vessels, over 60 houses, 3 mills and asssorted other structures. The fishing vessels were sold and used mainly in Grand Manan, N.B., Digby, N.S. and the Grand Banks of New Foundland and some are still in existance today.

17

Fishing
1970
Port Greville, N.S.


Credits:
Age of Sail Heritage Center

18

The make and brake gas and diesel engines used in the fishing vessels built at the Wagstaff and Hatfield yard came from Acadian Engines in Bridgewater N.S.

19

Acadia Engines
1960
Bridgewater, N.S.


Credits:
Age of Sail Heritage Center

20

Wagstaff and Hatfield Shipyard
Circa 1970
Port Greville, N.S.


Credits:
Age of Sail Heritage Center Museum

21

Inflation was only a minimal concern prior to 1972 but in that year it hit with a vengence. The firm contracted for 4 vessels and was locked in at pre-inflation prices. The sever finacial losses was the end for this once prosperous shipyard. Despite the decline in popularity for wooden hulled vessels and a full 71 years of boat building, George Wagstaff always wanted to reopen the shipyard after its closure in 1972. However the end of the dream occured on February 2, 1976 when the Groundhog Day gale swept through Port Greville. The storm reduced the large boat shed to a pile of ruble. Many smaller buildings were severly damaged or swept out to sea by the storm surge. This date is known as the day that shipbuilding on the Parrsborough Shore ended for good. The death of George Wagstaff followed in 1978, the loss of a historic master builder.

22

After the storm
12 February 1976
Port Greville, N.S.