Bennett Smith (1808-1886) was a prominent shipbuilder and shipowner in Windsor, Nova Scotia, playing a significant role in the town’s “Golden Age of Sail.” His story is deeply intertwined with the region’s rich maritime history.
Early Life and Family Legacy
Born in Windsor, Nova Scotia, on November 29, 1808, Bennett Smith was the son of John Smith and Ann Grant. He learned the craft of shipbuilding from his father. In 1832, upon his father’s death, Bennett and his brothers, John and William, inherited the family shipyard located on Smith’s Island at the intersection of the Avon and St. Croix Rivers.
Starting a Shipbuilding Career
Early Ventures and Return to Shipbuilding: In 1833, the three brothers launched their first vessel, the brigantine Agenoria. Bennett built his first independent vessel, the brig Matchless, in 1839. He then built the brig Eclipse in 1840. He briefly engaged in farming and the timber trade in the early 1840s, a period of economic depression, but by 1846-1847, he had fully returned to shipbuilding.
A Prolific Builder and Owner: From 1846 onwards, Bennett Smith built 25 more vessels, primarily large barques and ships ranging from 700 to 1,300 tons. He was unique in that he not only built these ships but also owned and operated almost all of them, holding principal shares alongside his brothers and other local merchants. His ships were involved in foreign trade, carrying various cargoes to ports worldwide. Some notable vessels include the Siam (1852), Humber, Princess Royal, British Queen, and British Lion (between 1853 and 1863), and the Nile (1864). At his peak in 1867, Smith’s fleet comprised 12 vessels. He built a total of 27 vessels and had nine more built for him, also holding shares in eight others.
Smith the Businessman
Business Acumen and Community Involvement: Beyond shipbuilding, Smith was a director of the Avon Marine and Shipowners Insurance Company, a Windsor-based firm. He was also one of the founders of the Commercial Bank of Windsor in 1865, established to offer marine insurance. While he showed little interest in politics or societies, he was a benefactor and trustee of the Methodist church in Windsor. He briefly served as a Liberal member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly for Hants County in 1858 and 1859.
The End of the Tall Ships
The Black Watch and the End of an Era: Smith’s final Windsor-built ship was the magnificent full-rigged, 1318-ton Black Watch, launched in May 1877. This vessel cost $50,000 to construct. Reportedly, he closed his shipyard after its completion due to a wage dispute with his employees, though he continued to order ships from builders in places like Saint John, New Brunswick.
Family
Legacy Bennett Smith passed away in Windsor on January 11, 1886, at the age of 87. At the time of his death, he was considered one of the largest shipowners and wealthiest men in the Maritime provinces. His sons, Thomas and Charles, took over his business. While he found continued success with wooden sailing ships longer than most, the era of wooden shipbuilding in Windsor was waning after his death, as steam-powered vessels gained prominence. Nevertheless, Bennett Smith remains a significant figure in the history of Windsor and Nova Scotia’s shipbuilding heritage.
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