Britannia Shipyard - Shipyard and Cannery Complex

General Information

Type of Resource: Building
Common Name:
Address: 12451 Trites Road
Neighbourhood (Planning Area Name): Steveston
Construction Date: 1889
Current Owner: Municipal Government
Designated: Yes

Statement of Significance

Description of Site

The Shipyard and Cannery complex is a massive, wooden, L-shaped structure on wooden pilings extending into Steveston Channel, and one of the most prominent structures on the Britannia Shipyard site. Associated wharves, docks, and wooden floats form a walkway from the Shipyard to the Seine Loft and Japanese Duplex buildings. The Shipyard is at the east end of a boardwalk which runs along the original dyke. The location is associated with an early roadway that connected it and other buildings to the Phoenix cannery and to Steveston.

Statement of Values

The Shipyard and Cannery Complex is a landmark, the oldest surviving structure on the Steveston waterfront, and possibly the oldest cannery building in the province. It has historical significance in that its first salmon pack was the first direct shipment of salmon from Steveston that was not first exported to Victoria or San Francisco. This shipment marked the beginning of the Fraser River as a major commercial centre. The Britannia Shipyard is a good example of an early industrial, functional structure, which helps to establish the historic character of this area. It has an important association with Steveston’s history and development as it relates to the fishery resource, and is one of the few cannery complexes still relatively intact.

Character Defining Elements

Key elements that define the heritage character of the site include: · The symbolic nature of the building as it relates to the history of salmon canning in Steveston · Its prominent location and status as a landmark on the Steveston waterfront extending into the river, and as part of the Britannia Shipyard complex · The structure of the building, including its L-shaped form in plan which indicates its original use as a cannery, its wooden pile foundation, and prominent massing · The wharves, docks and floating walkways associated with the building · The winch, cables and ways which were installed when the building was converted to a shipyard.

History

The shipyard and cannery complex is the oldest surviving structure on the Steveston waterfront, and possibly the oldest cannery building in the province. It was established in 1890 by W.A. Duncan, J. Batchelor and Eli Harrison, who sold it to the Anglo-British Columbia Packing Company that same year. Its first salmon pack, shipped to England in the clipper ship Titania, was the first direct shipment of salmon from Steveston that was not first exported to Victoria or San Francisco. This shipment marked the beginning of the Fraser River and its industries as a major commercial centre. Documentation from 1919 suggests that there were more than 80 buildings on the Britannia site at the height of its operation. In 1913, a landslide at Hell’s gate on the Fraser River blocked the passage of salmon upstream. The cannery closed in 1917 and the building was converted to a shipyard in 1918-1919 which involved the installation of a winch system and cables to accommodate the ways, and the opening up of the south end wall to accommodate boats. It is believed that the winch and engine to run it were acquired from a steam donkey logging operation. The shipyard remained in use until 1979. The site was dedicated to Richmond for heritage park purposes in 1990. The intent of the acquisition was to develop Britannia as a living history heritage site, with a focus on the preservation of wooden boats. The proposed use of this building as part of the park is as an active maritime centre for the construction and interpretation of small wooden boats.

Architectural Significance

Architectural Style

Working Industrial

Building Type

Cannery/Boat Construction

Design Features

This was the principal structure for both the Britannia Cannery and the Britannia Shipyard. The building is L-shaped in plan with a wooden pile foundation and prominent massing. The roof is generally of a gable design, but has a hipped section at the north end, and an interesting gable dormer. The roof cover is sheet metal covering shingles and the cladding is vertical board and batten. The windows are multi-paned wooden sash; at one time mostly removed, they are in the process of being rebuilt and reinstalled. A portion of the wing of the structure which extends into the water was removed by an unfortunate lighting strike in the 1940’s.

Construction Method

Heavy timber construction

Landscape Significance

Landscape Element

Cultural Landscape/Natural Environment

Design Attributes

The Britannia site was originally part of the Fraser River marsh estuary, and has gone through extensive cultural modifications over the life of the Britannia Cannery and Shipyard. The site is an example of an evolved cultural landscape shaped through use by activity or occupancy, in this case, the fishing and boatbuilding industries. Natural landscape components include marshes, fish habitat areas, and areas with natural shrubs and mature trees. The buildings and the boardwalk were originally constructed on piles above the marsh. The boardwalk served as the ‘main street’ for the Steveston riverfront. Much of the site today sits on land reclaimed through dredging operations in the 1950’s and ‘60’s, and there is evidence that a slough once cut through the site. The relationship of the Cannery and Shipyard building to the river is considered an important aspect of the landscape.

Integrity

Alterations:There have been several changes in the building over its lifetime. The original cannery building was modified to accommodate the shipyard by the installation of a winch system and cables to accommodate the ways, and the opening up of the south end wall to accommodate boats. there has been an addition to the north side of the building, possibly to accommodate the winch and a donkey engine, during the conversion from cannery to shipyard. There are also wooden floats constructed to connect the Shipyard to the Seine Loft building and which continue on as a walkway to the west side of the Japanese Duplex. The structure has undergone stabilization, reroofing and installation of a sprinkler system and is now being rehabilitated as part of the Britannia Shipyard Park development.
Original Location: Yes
Lost: No

Condition

The building is in good condition, giving consideration to the work that has been completed so far and the work that is in progress.

Documentation

Evaluated By: Denise Cook BLA, PBD (Public History)
Evaluation Date: Friday, November 3, 2000

Inventory Sheets by Foundation Group Designs, January 1990 “Heritage Inventory Phase II” by Foundation Group Designs May 1989 “Britannia Heritage Shipyard Park Concept Plan” Christopher Phillips and Associates 1992 Marilyn Clayton, personal communication, November 2000 Britannia Heritage Shipyard documents (various dates)