Title and statement of responsibility area
Title proper
Star Shipyard (Mercers) Ltd. fonds
General material designation
- textual record
- architectural drawing
- graphic material
- sound recording
- multiple media
Parallel title
Other title information
Title statements of responsibility
Title notes
- Source of title proper: Title based on the contents of the fonds
Level of description
Fonds
Reference code
Edition area
Edition statement
Edition statement of responsibility
Class of material specific details area
Statement of scale (cartographic)
Statement of projection (cartographic)
Statement of coordinates (cartographic)
Statement of scale (architectural)
Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)
Dates of creation area
Date(s)
-
1910-1970; predominant 1940-1965 (Creation)
- Creator
- Star Shipyard (Mercers) Ltd.
Physical description area
Physical description
ca. 10 m of textual records and other material
Publisher's series area
Title proper of publisher's series
Parallel titles of publisher's series
Other title information of publisher's series
Statement of responsibility relating to publisher's series
Numbering within publisher's series
Note on publisher's series
Archival description area
Name of creator
Administrative history
Star Shipyard (Mercers) Ltd. was founded in 1908 by two Newfoundlanders, Edward Mercer and William Mercer, who had relocated to New Westminster. Incorporated in BC (#10387), the operation was located at 61 Duncan Street, New Westminster (Queensborough), at the east end of Lulu Island. The business continued as a partnership between the two brothers until 1927 when it was reorganized on a limited liability basis after Edward Mercer's sons, W. E. Arthur Mercer and Gordon Archibald Mercer, purchased their uncle's share.
Star Shipyard constructed wooden and steel vessels up to approximately 170 feet (52 meters) in length. They specialized in fishing boats, sternwheelers, tugs and scows for the coastal trade. During the Second World War, warships and other naval craft were constructed for the British, Russian and Canadian navies. The shipyard continued as a family business until 1970 when it was sold to Grant Asplin of Fort Brie, Ontario. As of Oct. 20, 1970 it became Plimsoll Holdings Ltd. The company was dissolved on February 6, 1976.
Edward Mercer died in New Westminster on March 4, 1954. W. E. Arthur Mercer died in White Rock, B.C. on September 7, 1978. Gordon A. Mercer died in New Westminster on May 17, 1985.
Custodial history
Scope and content
The fonds consists of the records of Star Shipyard (Mercers) Ltd. and includes textual records, photographs, architectural plans and drawings, and audio recordings. The records date from just after the founding of the company in 1908 until it was sold in 1970, however most of the records date from after the late 1930s.
Textual records include general correspondence, financial and employment records, and records concerning contracts for the construction, repair and refit of ships. These include bound office record books (journals and ledger books), which record information such as employee time worked on projects, specific construction projects or “jobs,” salary and payroll records, cheques paid out, ledgers organized by account holders, bank books, monthly time books, and annual statistics reports.
Photographs, almost all black and white, include images of ship exteriors and interiors, ship construction and repair, views of the shipyard, workers, owners, launching/christening ceremonies, dignitaries, and the New Westminster and Vancouver waterfronts. A large number of photos were produced by the Stride Studios of New Westminster.
The fonds consists of many records relating to ship launchings, including photographs, audio tapes, a radio script, invitations and event programs.
Notes area
Physical condition
Immediate source of acquisition
The records were acquired in numerous accessions through donations from Gordon Mercer and W.E. Arthur Mercer
Arrangement
Language of material
Script of material
Location of originals
Availability of other formats
Restrictions on access
No access restrictions apply
Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication
Consult B.C. Archives for use, reproduction, and publication rights
Finding aids
Files lists for some of the series are available
Associated materials
Associated materials are held at the New Westminster Museum and Archives (Star Shipyard (Mercer's) Ltd. fonds).
Related materials: PR-0997 - W.E. Arthur Mercer fonds.
Accruals
No further accruals are expected
General note
Accession number(s): 197912-038; 198105-006; 198105-006; 74A-311; 74A-322; 76-007; 82-098; 82-222; 82-223; M13846; M13954; MS-0448; T4042
Conservation
Sound recording originals may be in cool or cold storage. Contact staff for specific details.
Physical description
Includes: ca. 1350 photographs, 130 architectural drawings and plans, and two sound recordings (audio reels).
Alternative identifier(s)
Standard number area
Standard number
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Star Shipyard (Mercers) Ltd. (Subject)
- Mercer, Gordon Archibald (Subject)
- Mercer, Edward (Subject)
- Mercer, W. E. Arthur (Subject)