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In the 1820s, Scottish captain Allison Davie joined forces with George Taylor, a shipbuilder from northern England. They opened a first shipyard on Île d'Orléans in 1825, then a second in Lévis in 1829 near the Québec City ferry landing. This company was the beginning of the world-renowned Davie Shipyard.
1820 - 1831

Never far from the water

In 19th-century Québec City, the water was never far away. Whether the St. Lawrence or the St. Charles rivers, waterways surround the areas were the city’s main activities took place. Shipbuilding and shipping continued to be central to the local economy. Much of the population made its living off the close connection between city and water. Here are a few works by the era’s artists that bear witness to this relationship. Help us document these images with your knowledge!

Québec City as seen from Davie Shipyard in 1830

James Pattison Cockburn In the 1820s, Scottish captain Allison Davie joined forces with George Taylor, a shipbuilder from northern England. They opened a first shipyard on Île d'Orléans in 1825, then a second in Lévis in 1829 near the Québec City ferry landing. This company was the beginning of the world-renowned Davie Shipyard.
Chronoscope Which categories does this image belong to? (unilingual French for a limited time) Source: Library and Archives Canada Document in the public domain (free of copyright) - Acc. No. 1989-258-1 - Date: 1830