Former shipyard workers and their families gathered at the Collingwood Museum today for the third annual Shipyard Social.
The Collingwood Shipyards were an important part of the Town’s history, and the event celebrates the men and women who played a role in this legacy.
The community gathering featured a barbecue, mystery artifact table, and a sale on select items in the museum gift shop. Past workers laughed as they met up with old friends and shared stories about the long days they spent on the ‘yard.
Museum staff estimated about 85 shipbuilders gathered on the lawn for the annual group photo, surrounded by family members and others from the community.
Bill Murdoch glows as he reminisces about the 20 years he worked maintenance at the shipyards. He says it’s “impossible to pinpoint” his favourite day.
“We were such a close-knit gang; everybody liked everybody. We looked forward to going to work everyday,” says Murdoch.
Doug McNichol and Doug McNeill worked alongside Murdoch for many years.
“I have so many stories of this guy,” says McNichol, gesturing at Murdoch with a smirk. “I don’t think I’m allowed to share them though.”
“We had the odd drink together. A few even ones too,” McNichol laughs.
“Quite a few,” Murdoch adds.
McNeill worked in the drawing office for 25 years before the shipyards shut down, and McNichol worked in the mold loft. The men joked that McNeill would draw the drawings, McNichol would make them, and they’d call Murdoch in when they broke.
The museum staff are using the event to help piece together gaps in the harbour’s history in preparation for a new exhibit. They asked for assistance in identifying artifacts related to the iconic Collingwood sidelaunch.
Betty Wilson is also hoping to put names to faces in a group photo she predicts was taken sometime in the late 1950s.
Wilson worked in the accounting office at the shipyards from 1960 to 1963 before the birth of her daughter. Her husband, Ray Wilson, was a foreman for 35 years, and his father was a foreman before him.
Ray passed away five years ago, but Betty is happy to see so many familiar faces at today’s event.
“I’m surprised there is this many shipyard folk still around,” she says. “It was a different time then”
The Collingwood Shipyards celebrated 103 years of shipbuilding before it closed its doors in 1986.
