Matton Shipyard, amerikanische Werft
The Matton Shipyard is a former boat-building facility on Van Schaick Island near Cohoes, New York, located at the confluence of the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers. The site spans about seven acres with preserved buildings from the 1910s onward, including an office building, planing mill, and work sheds that demonstrate how vessels were traditionally constructed and repaired.
The Matton Shipyard was established in 1916 after the Matton family relocated their earlier operation from Waterford to build larger vessels. During World War II, the yard employed over 300 workers and produced submarine chasers and oil barges for the Navy, continuing operations until the final vessel was launched in 1982.
The Matton Shipyard was a place where traditional craftsmanship in boat building was valued, and the local community took pride in the vessels built there. The yard served as a community hub where workers and their families were closely connected, especially on Friday mornings when ship launches were celebrated with gatherings and meals.
The site is located on low-lying ground subject to occasional flooding, but the buildings remain accessible and walkable due to restoration efforts. Visitors can navigate walking paths with interpretive signs, and should wear sturdy shoes and weather-appropriate clothing since the area is exposed to the elements.
The yard was known for using traditional manual launching methods where workers drove wedges under ship hulls to launch them, creating a spectacular sight. The final vessel, the Mary Turecamo launched in 1982, marked the end of an era when handcrafted techniques dominated industrial production.
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