**Note: Visitor’s will have to explore the Midland Town docks to find the 4 plaques at this location.
Midland opened the shipyards in the early 1900’s by a group that formed the Midland Drydock Co. They began with above-water repairs before moving on to build freighters. The yards closed down in 1928 only to be reopened in 1940 to help fill the demand for warships. The shipyards built Corvettes, mine sweepers and submarine trawlers for the British and Canadian Navy’s. After the war, the shipyards continued to build freighters, tugs, and barges for the commercial shipping industry. The Midland shipyards, largest shipyards on the Great Lakes, were closed for good in 1957.

Souvenir covered dish of the Shipyards and Drydock in Midland Ontario. Part of the Huronia Museum Collection.

The Warfiend. Built by the Midland Shipbuilding Co. for the Imperial Munitions board, finished in 1919, as a cargo ship.

Underwater repairs were conducted by the Midland Shipyards. The diver is V. Carson. The Huronia Museum has a similar dive helmet used by workers as part of its collection.

During the Second World War, The Midland shipbuilding Co. was re-opened to support the need for warships for both the Canadian and British Navy’s. With the men away from home, women were recruited to work in factories and the shipyards. These women were welders at the Midland Shipyards.