strongest vessels that has ever been sent to the Arctic Regions.” (2 1) The subsequent mission took the Isabel to the most northern coast of Baffin

Island and the entrance of Smith’s Sound. (22)

Hilary MacIsaac Courtesy of Ronnie Maclnnis

Some of the vessels constructed in the local ports remained in the community as they were built specifically for farmers to transport surplus agricultural goods and livestock in the coastal trade. These ships leaving the wharves of St. Peters were loaded with potatoes, oats, barely, wheat, cattle, and homespun cloth to be sold in the coastal trade. Many of these locally owned vessels returned home with limestone welcomed by Island soil.

As the Newfoundland market receded and the fluctuating British

market became the dominant player in the shipbuilding industry, larger companies gained increasing control of local building decisions. Many of

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