Wagstaff and Hatfield Shipyard

Although many fine shipbuilders built on our shore there was probably none as prolific or long lasting as the Wagstaff and Hatfield yard, The Wagstaff and Hatfield Shipyard was one of the longest operating shipyards in the area.

Starting in 1916 until 1976 George Wagstaff built 206 vessels from Schooners to minesweepers to fishing boats, not to mention houses, wharfs and other structures. Starting at the age of 13 in 1901 George perfected his craft working in Annapolis Royal to British Columbia and 60 years in Port Greville. Otto Hatfield was partner in the yard for many years before his retirement but George continued on until the groundhog day gale Feb 2 1976 destroyed his proud shipyard.

The Groundhog day storm occurred February 2 1976. This gale came in with winds clocked at 160km an hour and effected Nova Scotia from Yarmouth right up the Bay of Fundy impacting parts of New England and New Brunswick as well. The heavy winds coincided with extreme high tides (lunar and spring) making waves of over 12 meters off shore. Homes were ravaged, boats smashed, power poles snapped, wharves and breakwaters destroyed. It was a storm of the century and ended shipbuilding along the Parrsborough shore.