Ogdensburg Republican-Journal, 11 Jan 1927

The James Playfair interests of Montreal have taken over the shipyard here. It was stated yesterday that there was possibility that the equipment at the yard would be improved and the former working forces eventually greatly increased.

The want of some convenience to take vessels and steamers out of the St. Lawrence river for repairs has long been felt, but no definite action had been taken until September 19, 1852, when a party of Ogdensburg capitals meant and organized a company named “The Ogdensburg Maine Railway,” with a capital of $15,000.

The following officer were then chosen: Henry Van Rensselaer, E.N. Fairchild, E.S. Allen, Edwin Clark and Allen Cheney, trustees; H. Van Rensselaer, president; W.B. Allen, secretary.

The plan for the machinery was made and the materials required gathered during the winter and work was begun early the following spring. The plant is situated on the bank of the St. Lawrence about a half mile west of the mouth of the Oswegatchie river at the southwest corner of the city limits. The bank is low and gradually slopes into the water which is sufficiently deep a short distance from the shore to float the largest vessel on the lakes. The plant was finished in the fall of 1853 and was of sufficient capacity to take out the largest vessel then made or likely to be made.

Connected with the railway is an extensive shipyard with all the necessary shops and appurtenances for building and repairing all classes of craft. The company operated the plant successfully until 1860 when it as leased to E.B. Allen & Son who continued building boats and propellers for two years.

The property was then sold to H. C. Pearson who operated it until 1870 when it was again sold to the Northern Transportation Company. This company built a number of their large propellers there and repaired vessels of all kinds, doing a good business until they went into bankruptcy about the year 1879. The works were run on repairs only until they were burned in the fall of 1883.

In 1884 a stock company was formed under the name of the St. Lawrence Marine Railway Company with a capital stock of $25,000. The property of the old company was purchased, the plant rebuilt, and it has since continued to do ship repairing of all kinds.

The St. Lawrence Marine Railway Company later became a subsidiary of the George Hall Coal Company. A few years ago a large steel crane was added to the modernized equipment of the yard. The crane was left unlocked one night and a terrific wind storm blew it over and wrecked it. A new crane was later erected. A modern machine shop was established at the yard some years ago.

The shipyard today is regarded one of the best on the river or lakes. Thousands of ships have been repaired there. Under the Playfair interests it is expected that the yard will enter a new and greater era of industrial activity. An inventory is now being taken at the plant.