Smith and Rhuland (1900-1967)

Smith and Rhuland Shipyards 

 

 Smith and Rhuland Shipyards was a company that started in the early 1900's, and came to an end in the 1960's. The company originated in Luneburg, Nova Scotia. Two men (George Rhuland and Richard Smith) started the buisness from nothing, and came to be famous shipbuilders. They made the bluenose, The HMS Bounty replica from the late 1700's and the bluenose II. 



George Rhuland                  Richard Smith






 In 1899, Richard Smith took over the shipyard of his father, David Smith. The next year richard smith entered into partnership with George Rhuland to form the shipbuilding company of Smith and Rhuland. During 1900, they built the companys first vessel the "Palatia"
In 1905 Smith and Rhuland purchase and move into the yard begun by Peter Young, and later owned by the firm of Young and Morash. This is the shipyard they used until closing in the 60's. (1967)
By 1917 the Rhuland sons, Fred and John became members of the company. They worked and studied the ways of improving the quality of the workmanship for years. Many of these methods could be used for a variety of years, were to a great extent responsible for the excellent work shown in the replicas which came for the Smith & Rhuland yard.

Around 1919, there was a bait issue. This caused Lunenburg to have a loss of fish import to Halifax. They had built the fishing schooners, but half the season was spent looking for bait. 
In 1921, the famous fishing schooner the Bluenose was build. In 1960, they made the HMS Bounty replica, from the famous ship in the late 1700's. The bounty was used for many movies. Three years after the creation of the Bounty replica, they made the Bluenose II.

In 1942 the sons took over the buisness as Richard was the only Smith to be a part of the company. The two Rhuland brothers were soon the owners of the company. Then, at the death of John Rhuland, (George A. Rhulands son) Fred Rhuland became the sole owner of the yard.  By 1967, Smith and Rhuland had made over 270 vessels and three replicas.

"Why, these despised Dutchmen have done more to foster the art of shipbuilding in Nova Scotia than any other class of people within our borders...The vessels these people have made are marvels of neatness. We verily believe that they lavish a greater amount of money in ornamenting their craft - in carving and gilding - than they would be willing to disburse in decorating their frows and daughters." is a quote from The Morning Journal and Commercial Advertisers of Halifax.

" An important factor in the success of Lunenburg's fisheries was their self-contained nature. The vessels engaged in both fishing and trading were locally owned, manned and outfitted. As their cargo's were also owned by the local people, almost every dollar of the gross as well as the net earnings was an increment to the prosperity of the local economy. Lunenburgers believed that the shipping tonnage owned in their county acted as a source of greater income to the county than serveral times the tonnage of large vessels which owned in Windsor, Yarmouth, sail on long foreign voyages, manned largely by foreign sailors and returning only the often scanty net earnings of chartered freights."

                                           
David Smith: David Smith was the father of Richard Smith, who was one of the two founders of the famous shipbuilding company. He passed over his shipyard to his son in 1899. David Smith was also one of the first members of the Lunenburgs first town council!

Richard Smith:Richard Smith, son of David Smith  was the man who went into partnership with George A. Rhuland to create the company of Smith & Rhuland. 
  
George A. Rhuland:George Rhuland  was the partner of Richard Smith who made the company Smith & Rhuland.

Peter Young: 
 Born on Steven's island, between Lunenburg and Indian Point, employed as a shipbuilder for thirty years, Sold the shipyard to George and Richard in 1900, to start their business.
Steven Morash:
Steven Morash had employed George Rhuland and George served his shipbuilding apprenticeship alongside him.

 

                                                                                
Some of Smith & Rhulands famous creations:

The Bluenose:
In 1921, the bluenose was created. This famous fishing vessel was the fastest of its kind,  and sank on a reef in 1948. The bluenose had awards for being the fastest, and also for bringing in the biggest catch of that time. Captain Walters tried to keep the Bluenose in Nova Scotia, but was sold to the West Indies. The Bluenose became so famous it had songs written about it, and is even on the Canadian Dime.

The HMS Bounty:
Created in 1960, the replica of the British vessel was another one of Smith & Rhulands famous works. On October 30th, 2012 the replica sank in the rough waters of Hurricane Sandy. The Bounty was used in many movies, including Pirates of the Caribbean. It had sailed all over the world before the vessel sank due to the hurricane. This specific build by Smith & Rhuland was the most costly boat the ever built. The ship was armed with 14 guns. Six light swivel guns, and the rest were recoil resistant cannons.

                                     

The Closing of Smith & Rhuland
In 1967, Smith & Rhuland closed their doors after sixty three seven of famous shipbuilding. The yard today is operated by Scotia Trawler Ltd.