Early Atlantic Trade Routes

Activities References Home

The Role of Shipping in Colonial New England

Boston Shipbuilding

As the colonies developed, they began to pursue their roots: just as they were initially settled by ships, they would build their own. The process of building ships substantially boosted the economy of the colonies and most of the town of Boston was involved in the process in some way.1 Although the British Empire just experimented with shipbuilding in the late 1620s, it began to develop more in the 1640s. Eventually, the effect on the motherland was no longer negligible; the colonies began to compete with English shipbuilders. 2 In 1730, one sixth of English ships were built in America, and by the time of the revolution, that portion had increased to one third.3 The colonies had an obvious presence in the English shipping market, and Boston was particularly important. Philadelphia was the only colonial port that competed with Boston by the middle of the century, but it was still not as productive as its rival.4,5 More than any other factors, the skill of Boston merchants led to this dominance. 6 This rise of shipbuilding demonstrates that colonies often develop and compete with their mother countries – some more than others. It also illustrates the fact that the most important factors that influence towns are the people who live in them.

  1. See Maritime Participation
  2. Y. Eyüp Özveren, "Shipbuilding, 1590-1790," Review (Fernand Braudel Center) 23, no. 1 (2000): 29, 34, accessed April 15, 2022, https://www.jstor.org/stable/40241478.
  3. Y. Eyüp Özveren, "Shipbuilding, 1590-1790," Review (Fernand Braudel Center) 45, 47, no. 1 (2000): 15-86, accessed April 15, 2022, https://www.jstor.org/stable/40241478.
  4. Steven J. J. Pitt, "Building and Outfitting Ships in Colonial Boston," Early American Studies 13, no. 4 (Fall 2015): 882, accessed March 5, 2022, https://www.jstor.org/stable/44630808.
  5. Y. Eyüp Özveren, "Shipbuilding, 1590-1790," Review (Fernand Braudel Center) 23, no. 1 (2000): 42, accessed April 15, 2022, https://www.jstor.org/stable/40241478.
  6. James A. Henretta, "Economic Development and Social Structure in Colonial Boston," William and Mary Quarterly 22, no. 1 (January 1965): 81, accessed March 5, 2022, https://www.jstor.org/stable/1920768.