A.C. Davie Shipyard, National historic shipyard in Desjardins, Canada
The A.C. Davie shipyard stretches along the St. Lawrence River with five preserved buildings that document North American shipbuilding methods and techniques. The site shows how ships were built and repaired, with workshops and warehouses that visitors can still explore today.
The shipyard was founded in 1829 and actively built commercial and military vessels until operations ended in 1989. Its long history shows how the facility employed generations of shipbuilders and contributed to the region's growth.
The shipyard displays maritime artifacts and historical photographs that reflect Quebec's industrial growth and the region's shipbuilding tradition across generations. These collections show the role that shipping played in people's lives and in the area's economic story.
The site features guided tours and exhibition spaces that offer good insights into shipbuilding operations. It is best to visit during daylight hours so you can see the details of the structures and the old tools clearly.
The site contains the first towpath built in Canada, an early example of engineering used to move ships along the water. This simple but clever method shows how people worked with the water before modern machines existed.
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