**Connecting Toronto to the World

The Crucial Role of the Merchant Marine in the City's Growth and Shipbuilding Industry

Nikolas Klemencic

Toronto - 2023

The merchant marine is a vital component of any nation's economic and cultural development, serving as a means of connecting cities and communities to the rest of the world through the transportation of goods and people. The merchant marine in Canada refers to the civilian-owned ships and sailors who are responsible for transporting goods, equipment, and personnel to and from Canada during times of peace and conflict. In Canada, the merchant marine community, also known as the Canadian merchant Navy, played a crucial role in the growth and development of the country.¹ Despite facing various challenges, such as industrialization and economic recessions, the merchant marine persevered and adapted, contributing significantly to Canada's growth and development.² This essay will focus on the role and significance of the merchant marine in Canada, specifically in Toronto, during the nineteenth century. As a major port city, Toronto relied heavily on the merchant marine community to connect with the rest of the world, providing essential transportation of goods and people.³ Additionally, the community played a crucial role in the development of the city's infrastructure and economy, creating employment opportunities and contributing to the exchange of ideas and cultures.⁴ Despite facing numerous challenges, the merchant marine persevered and adapted, ensuring its continued contribution to Canada's growth and development. The merchant marine's legacy in Canada, particularly in Toronto, remains significant and is a testament to their dedication and resilience.

More ships were built in Toronto and other ports in the Great Lakes as the demand for goods and transportation increased, so did the need for new and larger ships. A merchant marine refers to the commercial shipping industry, including the vessels, people, and organizations involved in the transportation of goods and passengers by sea.⁵ The term also refers to the personnel who work on these vessels, including sailors, officers, and other crew members.⁶ The merchant marine is essential for global trade and commerce, connecting countries and facilitating the exchange of goods and services. In times of war, the merchant marine can also serve as a reserve for military ships and personnel.⁷ The military aspect of a merchant marine refers to the role it could play in supporting a country's armed forces during times of war or national emergency.⁸ In many countries, the merchant marine is considered a reserve component of the military and can be called upon to support military operations by transporting troops, supplies, and equipment. During times of conflict, the merchant marine is often required to operate in hazardous conditions, including entering war zones, and may be subject to attack by enemy forces (see figure 1).⁹ The ships and personnel of the merchant marine play an important role in supporting military operations by providing the means to move troops and supplies quickly and efficiently, helping to ensure the success of military campaigns.¹⁰ Furthermore, a very important part of the merchant marine is ships. Without ships, the merchant marine would not be able to function. Given this, it can be claimed that during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Toronto's shipbuilding sector benefited greatly from the merchant marine.¹¹ The merchant marine provided a steady supply of cargo and trade opportunities, which in turn fueled the demand for shipbuilding. In Toronto, shipbuilding was a major industry, and the merchant marine was crucial to its success.¹² The city's natural harbour and location on Lake Ontario made it an ideal place for shipbuilding, and the merchant marine provided a steady stream of work and orders for new ships.¹³ In addition to providing a source of work and orders for shipbuilders, the merchant marine also influenced the design of ships. The need for efficient and reliable vessels to transport goods meant that shipbuilders had to constantly innovate and improve their designs.¹⁴ The merchant marine played a role in this process by providing feedback and requirements for ships, which in turn led to the development of better and more advanced vessels. In summary, the Merchant Marine played a crucial role in Canada's shipbuilding sector, particularly in Toronto during the nineteenth and early twentieth century. The industry's demand for new ships and its influence on ship design helped to expand the shipbuilding industry, contributing significantly to the development of Canada's transportation and commercial infrastructure.

A merchant sailor's life in Canada is one that is both challenging and rewarding. As a seafarer, a merchant sailor spends a significant amount of time away from home, traveling across the world's oceans and seas.¹⁵ Their work involves operating and maintaining cargo vessels, transporting goods, and ensuring the safe and efficient delivery of cargo to their destination ports.¹⁶ Merchant sailors worked long hours and faced many risks, including storms, piracy, and accidents at sea (see figure 2).¹⁷ Despite the challenges, the life of a merchant sailor can be fulfilling, as it provides an opportunity to see the world and experience different cultures. Moreover, it offers a chance to build close relationships with fellow seafarers and develop valuable skills that can be applied in other areas of life.

During times of political unrest, for example, the merchant marine could be employed to display a country's economic power and apply pressure on other nations. A strong merchant navy is crucial for a country's economic and strategic interests. In times of war, a country's merchant navy can be transformed into a military force, providing additional military capabilities and support to the country's armed forces.¹⁸ A strong merchant navy can also serve as a symbol of a country's power and influence, demonstrating its ability to operate and compete on a global scale.¹⁹ The merchant marine was also a key component of Canada's defense infrastructure, with ships serving as floating fortresses that could be used to protect the Great Lakes region from potential threats.²⁰ In "Toronto Harbour and the Defence of the Great Lakes Region, 1783-1870," Carl explores the significance of the Toronto merchant marine and its role in the protection of the Great Lakes region. The merchant marine was a crucial component of the economic growth and prosperity of Toronto and the Great Lakes region during the 19th century, as it facilitated trade and commerce.²¹ The British and Canadian forces stationed in Toronto and along the Great Lakes were responsible for maintaining the security of the region and defending it against potential attacks, including the American invasion during the War of 1812.²² The government and military officials took measures to improve the fortifications and defenses of the Toronto harbour, including the construction of new fortifications, the upgrade of existing ones, and the deployment of additional troops.²³ Benn highlights the importance of the merchant marine in shaping the economic and political landscape of Toronto and the Great Lakes region. The merchant marine transported goods, such as grain, lumber, and manufactured goods, between Toronto and other ports on the Great Lakes, and played a critical role in the development of the region's economy.²⁴ In addition to facilitating trade, the merchant marine also played a role in the defense of the Great Lakes region. The ships and boats of the merchant marine were used to transport troops and supplies, as well as to patrol the waters and provide reconnaissance.²⁵ The merchant marine also served as a source of intelligence for the military, providing information about the movements of enemy ships and other potential threats. The merchant marine was a critical component of the protection and prosperity of the Great Lakes region, including Toronto, during the nineteenth century. The region's overall economic and political growth was aided by it as it promoted trade and commerce, participated in regional defence, and aided in regional economic and political development.²⁶ Additionally, the city's reliance on maritime commerce and shipping rendered it subject to political and economic pressures, and the merchant marine was frequently utilized as an instrument of diplomacy and negotiation.²⁷ Ultimately, the merchant marine had a significant role in determining the history of Toronto and the Great Lakes area, and its effects may still be seen today.

Despite its significant contributions to Canada and Toronto, the merchant marine sector encountered various obstacles that hindered its growth and expansion. These obstacles included competition from other ports, limited harbour capacity, seasonal fluctuations in demand, high costs, and technological constraints.²⁸ Toronto's merchant marine industry faced intense competition from other ports in the Great Lakes region and along the Atlantic seaboard. Ship owners and merchants in Toronto had to compete with ports in Montreal, New York, and other cities for trade and shipping business, and had to work hard to attract ships and trade to the city.²⁹ The harbour in Toronto was limited in size and capacity, which made it difficult for the merchant marine industry to accommodate the growing demand for shipping and trade.³⁰ The harbour was often congested, which slowed down shipping and trade, and made it difficult for merchants and ship owners to operate effectively. The Toronto merchant marine business was vulnerable to seasonal swings in demand, making it difficult for merchants and ship owners to adequately plan and manage their operations.³¹ For example, during the winter months, when the Great Lakes were frozen, demand for transportation and commerce was often lower, making it harder for merchants and ship owners to sustain consistent business.³² Operating a ship or vessel was costly, and the price of doing business in the Toronto commercial marine sector was frequently high due to the need to pay for fuel, supplies, crew, and other expenditures.³³ These high expenses made it challenging for merchants and ship owners to compete with other ports, making it difficult for the merchant marine sector in Toronto to expand and prosper. The Toronto commercial marine sector was subject to technological restrictions, such as restricted access to sophisticated navigation systems, engines, and other technologies, which made it tough for merchants and ship owners to function successfully and efficiently.³⁴ Despite these obstacles, Toronto's merchant marine sector grew and thrived throughout the nineteenth and early twentieth century, owing in great part to the efforts of the Toronto Harbour Commission and other organizations that fought to promote and assist the business. The merchant marine sector was an essential element of Toronto's economy and history, contributing to the city's status as a major hub for maritime commerce and trade.

The Toronto Harbour Commission’s (THC) efforts and successes were critical to the development and expansion of Toronto's merchant marine sector in the nineteenth and early twentieth century and helped to establish Toronto as a prominent maritime metropolis (see figure 3).³⁵ In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the THC was critical in administering and maintaining the operations of Toronto's commercial maritime sector.³⁶ In 1911, the Toronto Harbour Commission was formed to govern the city's waterfront and foster the expansion of the merchant marine.³⁷ The creation and enhancement of port infrastructure was a fundamental method in which the THC administered effective operations for merchant seafarers. The THC undertook several projects that helped the commercial marine, such as the construction of additional docks and wharves, the enhancement of navigational aids and illumination, and the dredging of the port to accommodate larger boats.³⁸ These enhancements made the harbour safer, more efficient, and more accessible to commercial mariners, and also contributed to Toronto's increased commerce and trade.³⁹ Another way that the THC supported the merchant marine was through the provision of services and facilities that were essential to the effective operation of ships and vessels. The THC operated a number of facilities, including a shipyard, a repair yard, a coal yard, and a grain elevator, that were essential to the maintenance and upkeep of ships.⁴⁰ Additionally, the THC provided services such as firefighting, icebreaking, and towing, which helped to ensure the safety and reliability of ships and vessels in the harbour. The THC also played an important role in fostering the expansion of the merchant marine industry in Toronto by lobbying for ship owners and merchants' interests. The THC collaborated closely with the Toronto Board of Trade and other groups to promote trade and commerce in the city, as well as to attract shipping and investment.⁴¹ The THC also assisted in the development and implementation of legislation that aided the expansion of the merchant marine sector, as well as providing support and assistance to ship owners and merchants when needed.⁴² To recapitulate, the Toronto Harbour Commission was a key factor in overseeing and supporting the operations of Toronto's commercial marine sector in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. The THC aided in the establishment of Toronto as a significant hub for maritime commerce and trade by developing port infrastructure, providing vital services and facilities, and promoting the merchant marine sector.

The establishment of the merchant navy in Toronto was closely linked with the Toronto Board of Trade, an influential body that championed economic and commercial development in the city.⁴³ With the Board of Trade's assistance, a maritime registry was set up, international trade was promoted, and the interests of Toronto's merchants and ship owners were advocated for.⁴⁴ In 1850, the passing of the “An Act for Improving the Condition of Masters, Mates, and Seamen and Maintaining Discipline in the Merchant Services” bill marked a significant milestone for the maritime sector.⁴⁵ The legislation mandated the maintenance of records, set crew disciplinary requirements, and established the Marine Department of the Board of Trade as the primary institution responsible for addressing merchant marine issues.⁴⁶ The Merchant Shipping Act of 1854, which extended to all British colonies, including Canada, further revolutionized the merchant marine business in Toronto.⁴⁷ By setting industry norms for vessel construction, equipment, and operations, the act helped to standardize industry practices and regulations, improving the safety and dependability of the sector. This greater safety and dependability made Toronto a more appealing destination for maritime business, which aided in the establishment of the city's merchant marine sector. Consequently, Toronto's merchant marine sector grew and thrived, thanks to the Commercial Shipping Act of 1854, which played a crucial role in the development and expansion of the sector in the nineteenth century.

In conclusion, the merchant marine community in nineteenth-century Toronto was a critical driver of the city's growth and development, providing employment opportunities and facilitating global commerce. The efforts of institutions such as the Board of Trade, the Merchant Shipping Act of 1854, and the Toronto Harbour Commission were essential in managing and regulating the merchant marine industry, ensuring its effective operations and growth. Despite the industry's challenges, it overcame them and made a significant impact on the city's political and economic landscape. Today, the merchant marine community's legacy may be observed in Toronto's infrastructure and dynamic economy, reflecting its substantial contribution to the city's success. Thus, the merchant marine community is a crucial part of Toronto's history and legacy, having played a fundamental role in the city's expansion and prosperity during the nineteenth century.