Old Photographs of Boats & Ships from the Halifax Archives (1912-1981)

Welcome to a journey through time as we explore the rich maritime history of Halifax through a unique collection of photographs. Spanning from 1912 to 1981, these images capture the essence of our coastal heritage, showcasing not just boats and ships but also the stories that define our community. Each month, I will present a different subject for the gallery, allowing us to delve deeper into the diverse narratives that shape Halifax’s past.

1912 - D.G.S. Earl Grey in the Northwest Arm, Memorial Tower Dedication- Ships and Boats photos from Halifax Municipal Archives (HMA), John and Beatrice Alley-CR16-89a
1912 – D.G.S. Earl Grey in the Northwest Arm, Memorial Tower Dedication-Halifax Municipal Archives (HMA), John and Beatrice Alley-CR16-89a

The Halifax Archives serve as an invaluable resource for anyone interested in uncovering the layers of history embedded in our city. These archives house a wealth of information and artifacts that illuminate various aspects of life in Halifax over the decades. From shipbuilding techniques to maritime trade routes, each photograph is a window into an era gone by.

Join me as we celebrate these remarkable glimpses into our nautical past and honour the legacy of those who navigated these waters before us. Whether you are a history enthusiast or simply curious about our local heritage, I invite you to discover how these boats and ships have played an integral role in shaping Halifax’s identity.

If you are interested in seeing more images lie these, check out our Halifax history section.

1916-Oct - RMS Olympic at Pier 2 carrying troops- Ships and Boats photos from - Halifax Municipal Archives (HMA), John and Beatrice Alley -CR16-16b
1916-Oct – RMS Olympic at Pier 2 carrying troops-Halifax Municipal Archives (HMA), John and Beatrice Alley -CR16-16b
1920ca - Halifax Shipyards watching the launch of large steel ship, [Canadian Mariner].-Halifax Municipal Archives (HMA), John and Beatrice Alley-CR16-13b
1920ca – Halifax Shipyards watching the launch of large steel ship, [Canadian Mariner].-Halifax Municipal Archives (HMA), John and Beatrice Alley-CR16-13b
1920ca - Sailboats and steamer in Halifax Harbour-Halifax Municipal Archives (HMA), John and Beatrice Alley-CR16-51b
1920ca – Sailboats and steamer in Halifax Harbour-Halifax Municipal Archives (HMA), John and Beatrice Alley-CR16-51b
1930 - N.B. McLean steel-hull ready to be launched-Halifax Municipal Archives (HMA), John and Beatrice Alley-CR16-102b
1930 – N.B. McLean steel-hull ready to be launched-Halifax Municipal Archives (HMA), John and Beatrice Alley-CR16-102b
1930ca - A.M. Smith building and wharf, located on Lower Water St between Sackville and Prince streets-Halifax Municipal Archives, Halifax Tourism-102-104-E-7-5-77
1930ca – A.M. Smith building and wharf, located on Lower Water St between Sackville and Prince streets-Halifax Municipal Archives, Halifax Tourism-102-104-E-7-5-77

1944 - Dartmouth Ferry, Cornwallis [fire]-HRM Archives, Halifax Fire Department-102-111-4-5.68
1944 – Dartmouth Ferry, Cornwallis [fire]- Ships and Boats photos from – HRM Archives, Halifax Fire Department-102-111-4-5.68
1945 - Papa Goose [RCAF Motor Vessel M580]-Halifax Municipal Archives, Benjamin Oakeshott-CR6-078.9
1945 – Papa Goose [RCAF Motor Vessel M580]-Halifax Municipal Archives, Benjamin Oakeshott-CR6-078.9

1946 - S.S. Letitia- Ships and Boats photos from - Halifax Municipal Archives-CR19-3-2.1
1946 – S.S. Letitia-Halifax Municipal Archives-CR19-3-2.1
1946 - The boat Hanger [sic Hangar]-Halifax Municipal Archives, Benjamin Oakeshott-CR6-078.8
1946 – The boat Hanger [sic Hangar]-Halifax Municipal Archives, Benjamin Oakeshott-CR6-078.8
1950 - Banook Juniors Winners-Halifax Municipal Archives-101-94-4-06
1950 – Banook Juniors Winners-Halifax Municipal Archives-101-94-4-06
1950-Aug 8 - Dartmouth Bicentenary Venetia Night on Lake Banook-Halifax Municipal Archives-101-94-2-03
1950-Aug 8 – Dartmouth Bicentenary Venetia Night on Lake Banook-Halifax Municipal Archives-101-94-2-03
1950ca - Dartmouth ferries, the S.S. Scotian docking at the Dartmouth terminal
1950ca – Dartmouth ferries, the S.S. Scotian docking at the Dartmouth terminal
1960ca - Corporal Jack Friis and Constable Chris Hook at the front of a speedboat- HRM Archives, Halifax Police Department -102-16N-0045
1960ca – Corporal Jack Friis and Constable Chris Hook at the front of a speedboat- HRM Archives, Halifax Police Department -102-16N-0045
1960ca - Refinery, Woodside
1960ca – Refinery, Woodside
1969 - Dartmouth and the MacDonald Bridge-Halifax Municipal Archives-101-80C-1-6.28
1969 – Dartmouth and the MacDonald Bridge-Halifax Municipal Archives-101-80C-1-6.28
1970ca - Aerial photograph of Halifax Waterfront Pier 20-22-Halifax Municipal Archives-CR6-074
1970ca – Aerial photograph of Halifax Waterfront Pier 20-22-Halifax Municipal Archives-CR6-074
1970ca - Cheema canoe paddling team-Halifax Municipal Archives-101-80C-8-2.5
1970ca – Cheema canoe paddling team-Halifax Municipal Archives-101-80C-8-2.5
1970ca - ship fire at the Halifax waterfront. Captain Tom Abraham is pictured in uniform-HRM Archives, Halifax Fire Department-102-111-4-5.2
1970ca – ship fire at the Halifax waterfront. Captain Tom Abraham is pictured in uniform-HRM Archives, Halifax Fire Department-102-111-4-5.2
1972-1974ca - Dartmouth Cove-Atlantic Air Survey and the HRM Archives; City of Dartmouth, Planning and Development101-80C-1-4-H-4
1972-1974ca – Dartmouth Cove-Atlantic Air Survey and the HRM Archives; City of Dartmouth, Planning and Development101-80C-1-4-H-4
1973 - Banook Canoe Club-Halifax Municipal Archives-CR67-3-989.102.01
1973 – Banook Canoe Club-Halifax Municipal Archives-CR67-3-989.102.01
1980ca - CSS Acadia at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic-Halifax Municipal Archives-CR40-23-3
1980ca – CSS Acadia at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic-Halifax Municipal Archives-CR40-23-3