James Rose Master ship Builder

Ship Builders Monument, New Glasgow, NS (Picture taken, October 1997)

Information on James Rose, Master Ship Builder

Hector Centre # 97-344, MG 13-21

Information shown in-between ( ) from James M. Cameron book "The Ships, Shipbuilders and Seamen of Pictou County". Information shown in-between; [ ] from data base of "Northern Shipwreck Database" Bedford, Nova Scotia, Canada, B4A 3Z2. Email .

James Rose, foreman of the shipyard when the Lochiel was built, recorded her offsets in a notebook which is preserved in the Maritime Museum of Canada the only such Canadian record of vessel construction known to exist.

The offsets represent dimensions scaled from a lift type half model that enabled the lines of the model to be reproduced at full size on the mould loft floor. Moulds were made from the lofted lines from which in turn the timber were shaped. It is not known whether James Rose made the model.

Alphabetical List of Ships James Rose Built.

(Includes notes from his personal Notebook)

Alex ...October 28th 1839. James Rose and William Fraser Built the Schooner Alex of 77 tuns by the job for James Carmichael for 4 pounds per ton. I was 6 months at her.
Argus..... Commenced the Argues May 9th and 1853 From Oct. 07 to June 22th 1853 full working time 210 Days. From June 24th 1853 to Nov. 23th 1854 my full working time 133 3/4 Days. Wages L 9 and found in Bed and Board for Captain Thomas Graham. (Baroque 236 tons)
Annie (Anne)..Commenced at the Annie Oct. 7th 1852. Launched May 6th for Captain Thomas Graham. (Baroque)
Ann Marett (Anne Herritt).. Commenced Nov. 10th at the Brig Ann Market of 217 tuns she was 87 feet Keel 23 feet Beam 12 feet hold From Nov. to August 23th 1852 is 247 Days. Same time Built Fanny Bloomer of 149 tuns. Lost time 13 1/4 Full working time 233 3/4 Days for Captain Thomas Graham. [1870 owned by James Primrose, registered in Pictou, NS; length 97 ft., draft 13.0 ft., grosston 211.0, wrecked, record #4823]
Atlanta...May 1th 1840. James Rose went Foreman for B. L. (Bernard Law) Kirkpatrick to Merigomish. I was 15 months, 9 pound per month for 9 months 10 hours. For 6 months and found in Board. Launched a Brigiatine of 142 tuns in June. (Ship Marineer) And the Atlanta of 196 tuns Launched Nov. 2th 1840 And a Brig of 227 tuns (Ship Geobia) Launched July 30th 1841.
Bloomen Lafs..Commenced at the Bloomen Lafs June 11th 1851 To Nov. 7th is 129 Days Lost time 2 3/4 Full working time is 126 1/4 Days, for Captain Thomas Graham.
Bride..Commenced as foreman for Captain Thomas Graham Nov. 14th 1850 at a Barque Bride of 410 tuns from Nov. 14th to May 29th is 169 Days Lost time 8 1/4 Days Full working time is 160 3/4 Days.
Christian...James Rose to Capt. T. Graham. Foreman for Angus McArthur andCo. Commenced at the Brig Christian 200 tuns. In March 1856. Launched August 7th.
Cathrien Jane (Catherine Jane)...For Hugh McKennon 1862 Nov. 18th. James Rose Comenced the Bark Cathrien Jane Nov. 18th. She was 127 feet keel Beam moulded 29 feet hould 12 feet 10 inc. She was 380 tuns. Launched May 14th 1863.
Costus...J.ames Rose to Captain Graham Foreman 1853 Commenced the Costus Aug. Launched May 1853. (Barque)
Druid...James Rose Foreman for John F. MacDonald at a Brig. Dec. 1856. Called the Druid of 160 tuns. Launched May 1857. She was 82 feet Keel.
Eleanor I. Davis (Eleanor J. Davis)..James Rose to Capt. T. Graham. Foreman for Angus McArthur and Co. Commenced May 17th 1855 Eleanor I. Davis. Launched Oct. 5th 1855. Last years tunage about 200 New 176. (Sold in Newfoundland)
Elizabeth... James Rose to Capt. T. Graham. Foreman for Angus McArthur and Co. Commenced Elizabeth Dec. 1th 1854 tunage 176. Launched April 16th 1855. (Barque) (John English Master)
Egerton...May 26th 1843. James Rose with James Carmichael, Foreman For 3 months and 5 Days at the Barque Egerton of 318 tons. I had 5 pound 10 shillings Per month found in board. Launched Aug. 26. This vessel was built in the short time of three months.
Fanny Bloomer...Commenced Nov. 10th at the Brig Ann Marrett of 217 she was 87 feet Keel 23 feet Beam 12 feet hold From Nov 10th to August 23th 1852 is 247 Days. Sametime Built Fanny Bloomer of 149 tuns. Lost time 13 1/4 Full working time 233 3/4 Days for Captain Thomas Graham.
Fattkiller (Fat Killer)...James Rose to Captain Graham Foreman 1853. Commenced Fattkiller August. Launched Oct. 23th 1854. <1855, owner James Graham, registered in Pictou, NS; Gross ton 208.0, lenght 105.0 ft., width 22.0 ft., draft 13.0 ft., lost at sea, record #15741.>
Fauna...Only mentioned in newspaper article of 1909.
Florance...James Rose Comenced for Donald Matheson Esq. In L'Ardoise Cape Breton the Schooner Florance 109 tuns. On Jan. 18th 1864. Wages per month and Found 9 Pound or $36. left
Geobia......May 1th 1840. James Rose went Foreman for B. L.(Bernard Law) Kirkpatrick to Merigomish. I was 15 months, 9 pound per month for 9 months 10 hours. For 6 months and found in Board Launched a Brigiatine of 142 tuns in June. (Ship Marineer) And the Atlanta of 196 tuns Launched Nov. 2th 1840 And a Brig of 227 tuns (Ship Geobia) Launched July 30th 1841.
George...November 28th 1843. James Rose Foreman with Alex and Charles Cantley at the George of 60 tuns Launched April 18th 1843. I had 5 pound Per month and found. I was 5 months and 3 Days. (Schooner). [1870, owned by Angus McDoanld, registerd in Halifax, length 50.o ft., width 15.0 ft., draft 8.0 ft., gross ton 44.0, record # 17503]
George McKenzie...James Rose to Captain Graham Foreman 1853 Commenced Steamboat March 1854. Called George McKenzie. Launched June 1854. James Cameron made the model from which the steamboat George McKenzie was built in 1854. James Rose was yard foreman at the building of this vessel (see Plate 8). She ran on the East River (for a decade) as a ferry between New Glasgow and Pictou, excepting when this passage wasblocked by ice Although of lesser dimensions (99.3 x 16.8 x 6.3), the George McKenzie would have been generally similar in appearance to the model. She was broken up in 1871.
Hyndford...December 10th 1844. James Rose with James Carmichael, Foremanto Build a Barque called the Hyndford of 114 feet and 28 feet 9 inc. Beam and 20 feet hold. Wages from Dec. 10th to May first 20/ shillings per month. And from May 1th to July 26, 160/ shillings per month. And found in Boarding 480 tuns musearment
John McKenzie...James Rose Foreman Commenced with Captain George McKenzie on the Ship John McKenzie in May 1846 Launched Nov 1846 She was 900 tuns.
Lass...He was foreman for Captain Thomas Graham for the Lass. Let Her Be (Let Her B)..Oct 18th 1865. James Rose Comenced with Capt. James Hyland Jan. 2th 1865. On A Brigtuine 80-6 inc. Keel 25 feet. Beam moulded 11 feet. Hould Tuns 169. Launched May 23th. wages $30 per month and found. Built for Thomas Graham and Capt. McLeod. This was the last vessel he built. [1867, owner James Hylander, registered in Pictou NS, Grosston 169.0, net ton 143.0, length 85.0 ft., width 26.0 ft., Draft 11.0 ft., wrecked, record #25044]
Lifu...For Joseph C. Graham & Malcolm McGregor James Rose Foremam Commencrd the Bark Lifu Oct 12th 1860. She was 111 feet Keel. Beam 27 Depth of hould 12 feet 10 inc. She was Clast. She was 299 tuns. Launched May 15th 1861. Wages L7 Per month
Lochiel (Locheil)...For Joseph C. Graham James Rose Comenced at the Bark Lochiel May 19th 1863. She was 125 feet Keel. Beam moulded 28 feet. Deapth hould 12 feet 11 inc. Launched August 1th 1863. Lines of the barque Lochiel, 1333.3 x 28.8 x 12.9 tons. (348 tons. Page 62; In later life Captain Joe (Thomas) built or shared in the building of the sailing ships Tana, Cabot, Lochiel and Minnie Gordon. Page 126; 1865. The barque Lochiel, Finlay Cameron owner, built at New Glasgow in 1863, was wrecked on Cape Sable.)[1867, owner Finlay Cameron, registred Pictou, NS; Captain Graham Gross ton 349.0, Net ton 316.0, length 133.0 ft,. Width 29.0 ft., draft 13.0 ft., wrecked on voyage from Boston, MA to New Glasgow, record #257197.]
James Rose, foreman of the shipyard when the Lochiel was built, recorded her offsets in a notebook which is preserved in the Maritime Museum of Canada - the only such Canadian record of vessel construction known to exist. The offsets represent dimensions scaled from a lift type half model that enabled the lines of the model to be reproduced at full size on the mould loft floor. Moulds were made from the lofted lines from which in turn the timber were shaped. It is not known whether Rose made the model. The lines show a moderately sharp hull, typical of North American practice at the time.
Margaret...November 4th 1841. James Rose Foreman for James Chisholm for 7 pounds Per month and found in board at the Schooner Margaret of 87 tuns. I was 4 months 13 Day Launched April 13th 1842. (144 tons)
Margaret (Margaret Grant)...James Rose to Capt. T. Graham. Foreman for Angus McArthur and Co. (Margaret Grant) Commenced the Brigtine Margaret August 23th 1857. Launched Nov. 7th 176 tuns.
Mariner....May 1th 1840. James Rose went Foreman for B. L (Bernard Law) Kirkpatrick to Merigomish. I was 15 months, 9 pound per month for 9 months 10 hours. For 6 months and found in Board Launched a Brigiatine of 142 tuns in June. (Ship Marineer) And the Atlanta of 196 tuns Launched Nov. 2th 1840 And a Brig of 227 tuns (Ship Geobia) Launched July 30th 1841.
Pilot........ James Rose to Captain Graham Foreman 1853 Commenced Pilot Nov. 1853. Nov. 1853. Launched May 1854. (Barque, 302 tons)
Roger Stewart...James Rose to Capt. T. Graham. Foreman for Angus McArthur and Co. Commenced Nov. 5th 1855 at the old Rogers Stewart. And launched April 24 1856 New tunage 412. This was an old English vessel Captain Graham bought; had her hauled up here, and lengthened her. This was in 1855. The Roger Stewart was afterwards lost on the coast of Northern Scotland. (Brig) [1856, Owner Thomqas Graham, registered in Pictou, NS; Gross tons 413.0, Net ton 370.0, length 117.0 ft., width 30.0 ft., draft 17.0 ft., wrecked, record #35600]
Sarah....James Rose Commenced in 1845 with James Chisholm ,as Foreman the Brig called the Sarah Launched May (92 tons)
Stanton (Stentor?)...James Rose to Captain Graham Foreman 1853. Commenced the Stanton May 1854. Launched August 23th. (Barque, 380 tons) Tana......Foreman for Malcom McGregor & Joseph C. Graham on the Brig Tana 158 tuns. Commenced January 21 1860. Launched May 5th . Called Tana. wages L6 Per month & found. The Colonial Standard - 29 May 1860 - page 2. LAUNCHED - At New Glasgow on the 14th inst. the brigantine "Tana" owned by Malcolm McGregor and Joseph Cunard Graham, built by James Rose, after the model of the "Eleanor Davis". The vessel is designed for the Newfoundland trade, for which she is has been pronounced well fitted by prominent judges. (Page 62; In later life Captain Joe (Thomas) built or shared in the building of the sailing ships Tana, Cabot, Lochiel and Minnie Gordon.)
T G T......January 16th 1839. James Rose was Foreman for Alexander, George and Charles Cantley. At the Schooner T G T of 75 tuns, 6 months and 13 days. Wages for month 7 Pounds. and found in board.
The Ripper (Ripper)... James Rose Foreman Commenced July 29th 1850 With Captain Thomas Graham at a Brig Called The Ripper. From July 29th to Oct. 29th 80 Days. She was 129 tuns. Lost time 1 1/4 days. Full working time is 78 3/4 Days
William Penn... James Rose Foreman Commenced with Kitchen on May 1847 of 830 tuns Launched Nov 1847.

Mg2, 1245, Page 22 (Public Archives, Halifax, NS)

THE ENTERPRISE - New Glasgow, NS,
September 04, 1909 and May 18, 1918

"Our pioneer mechanics"
James Rose
He was born at Cromarty, Scotland, Oct. 21st, 1810. He was the third son of John Rose, mason, who lived where Dr. Townsend lives now. The family came to Pictou in 1818. They lived some time at McLellan's Brook. It was while living there that his father built the McLellan stone house. He went to school in New Glasgow taught by the late John McKay. He served his time at ship work under Caption George McKenize. He was foreman for the Captain of a ship called the John McKenzie, of 900 tons; and a steamboat called the George McKenzie, which ran on the East River.
In 1838 he was foreman for the Cantley Brothers - Alexander, George and Charles. After that he and William Fraser built a vessel for the late Senator James Carmichael. In 1840 he was foreman for Mr. Patrick at Merigonish, and built two vessels for him, one of which was called the Atlanta. He was then foreman for James Chisolm of a vessel called the Margaret. In 1843 he was foreman of a vessel called the George, for Alexander and Charles Cantley; the last named being the father of Thomas Cantley. In the same year he was foreman for James Carmichael of a vessel called the Egerton. This vessel was built in the short time of three months; and this was followed by a barque of 480 tons called the Hyndford. He was then foreman of a vessel called the Sarah, for James Chisolm; he was foreman of a ship called the William Penn, built by Mr. Kitchen, of River John. He was foreman for Captain Thomas Graham of a number of vessels. Some of them were the Ripper, Bride, Blooming, Lass, Ann Marett, Fanny Bloomer, Annie, Argus, Costus, Pilot, Elizabeth, Eleanor, etc. He was foreman of an old vessel for Captain Thomas Graham, called the Roger Stewart. This was an old English vessel Captain Graham bought; had her hauled up here, and lengthened her. This was in 1855. The Roger Stewart was afterwards lost on the coast of Northern Scotland. He built three other vessels after this; the Margaret, the Fauna and the Lifue. He was foreman for John F. McDonald at a vessel called the Druid launched May, 1857. In the winter of 1864, he was foreman for Donald Matheson, (at) L'Ardoise, C.B. of a vessel called the Florence. In 1865 he was foreman of a vessel called Let Her Be, built for Thomas Graham and Capt. McLeod. This was the last vessel he built.
During the last years of his life he suffered from rheumatism. He died November, 1882. Mr. Rose was a man that was highly esteemed, and was of a most kindly disposition. During the greater part of his life he was connected with the Knox Church; and for the last eight years with United Church. Of him it can be said, he was a good man and left a good name behind him. He was married in 1834, his wife being Isabella Fraser. The surviving members of his family are, Roderick, in Cheverie, Hants Co. N.S. William in New Glasgow, and David, Fraser's Mountain.

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