Burrard Dry Dock: Where Ships Were Born and Built

Burrard Dry Dock was a legendary shipbuilding facility that played a significant role in the maritime history of Vancouver. It was located on the Burrard Inlet, a picturesque and strategic waterway.

The dock was established in 1904 by the Burrard Dry Dock Company, which was founded by a group of investors who saw the potential for a large-scale shipbuilding operation in the area. The facility quickly became one of the largest and most respected shipyards on the West Coast.

Burrard Dry Dock was known for its innovative and efficient design, which allowed it to build a wide range of vessels, from small fishing boats to large cargo ships. The dock's state-of-the-art equipment and skilled workforce made it a leader in the industry.

During its peak in the 1920s and 1930s, Burrard Dry Dock employed thousands of workers and produced hundreds of ships, cementing its reputation as a major player in the global shipbuilding industry.

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Burrard Dry Dock's shipyards were a major hub for shipbuilding and repair during World War II.

The shipyards employed over 6,000 workers at their peak, making it one of the largest industrial sites in the city.

The shipyards produced numerous ships, including patrol boats and landing craft, which played a crucial role in the war effort.

The dry dock itself was a massive structure, measuring 1,000 feet long and 120 feet wide, and was capable of handling vessels up to 1,000 tons in weight.

This impressive facility allowed Burrard Dry Dock to take on a wide range of ship repair and construction projects.

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The South Yard was built on the south side of Burrard Inlet and operated from 1941 to 1946.

It was specifically designed for building hulls, which were then sent to the north yard to be fitted out and finished.

Four berths were available at the South Yard, and it employed 4,500 workers during World War II.

The steel supply was a major concern for Canadian shipbuilders, and the South Yard had to rely on domestic production to meet the demand.

By March 1942, Wartime Merchant Shipping needed 15,000 to 20,000 tons of steel plate per month, which was a significant challenge for Canadian manufacturers.

Canadian manufacturers increased their output to avoid reliance on U.S. sources, and the South Yard was able to contribute to this effort.

The South Yard claimed a national wartime shipbuilding record by completing the SS Fort Wedderburne hull in 64 days.

Under the leadership of Hugh M. Lewis and John Dalrymple, the South Yard constructed 61 wartime ships.

The South Yard was closed down after the war, as there were insufficient contracts for Burrard Dry Dock to keep it operating.

You can visit the site of the South Yard, which is now a public area, during the summer months, from Wednesday to Sunday, from 10am to 5pm.

The shipyards have been busy building all sorts of vessels over the years.

The St. Laurent-class destroyer, Restigouche-class destroyer, and Mackenzie-class destroyer were all built by the shipyards.

The shipyards also converted a ship called HMS Penlee Point into a missile trials ship called HMS Girdle Ness after the war.

Here's a list of some of the ships that were built by the shipyards:

Some of the ferries built by the shipyards include the MV Queen of Tsawwassen, MV Queen of Vancouver, MV Queen of the Islands, MV Queen of Coquitlam, and MV Queen of Surrey.

The Burrard Dry Dock is a significant part of Vancouver's history, and understanding its scope and content can give us a glimpse into its past.

The photograph of the Burrard Dry Dock Co. Ltd. on the North Shore in Vancouver shows the dock's operations in action, with a freighter in dock #2.

The photograph is part of the David Davies Railway Collection, which suggests that the dock played a role in the development of the railway.

The dock's location on the North Shore implies that it was strategically situated to serve the needs of the railway and other industries in the area.

The presence of a freighter in dock #2 indicates that the dock was used for shipping and cargo handling.

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