Description of Historic Place

The J & C Short Shipbuilding Site consists of an open field and the remains of a wooden wharf located in the vicinity of the River Street Complex on Denny Street in St. Stephen.

Heritage Value

The J & C Short Shipbuilding Site is designated a Local Historic Place for its association with the shipyard industry and for its association with the Short family.

Charles Short started his career in the village of Digdeguash, Charlotte County, New Brunswick. In 1861, this master builder moved to St. Stephen to join his brother John to form the J & C Short Shipbuilding firm in St. Stephen. They opened shipyards at this location with marine railways directly across the St. Croix River in Calais, Maine, making it a good example of the international businesses that took advantage of the town’s proximity to the United States. During their years in St. Stephen, they built 7 ships from 955 tons to 1606 tons, 12 barques and 1 brig. The last ship built in St. Stephen was “The Rocklands”, for Zachariah Chipman. It was launched on October 1st, 1878 and christened by Miss Jessie Tilley, daughter of Sir Leonard Tilley and granddaughter of Zachariah Chipman. Charles retired after the building of “The Rocklands” and John moved to Kenora, Ontario. The firm continued to operate in Calais, Maine. Charles died in 1895 at the age of 69 and is buried in the Catholic Cemetery, St. Stephen, New Brunswick. The current site reflects the J & C Shipbuilding operation. The open field and the remains of a wooden wharf represent the scope of the former operation.

Source: St. Stephen Town Hall - Historic Places File “J & C Short Shipbuilding Site”.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements that describe the J & C Short Shipbuilding Site include:
- open field;
- remains of a wooden wharf on the shorefront;
- location of the site across the St. Croix River from Calais, Maine.