The image shows the hull of North Vancouver Ferry No. 3 at the Matsumoto Shipyards in 1974. The Matsumoto Shipyards was founded by Isamu “Sam” Matsumoto (1918-2000), a pioneer and leader in aluminum boat construction.
Sam Matsumoto and his family built boats in Prince Rupert before the Second World War, but they were interned along with all Japanese Canadians on the West Coast during the war years.
After the war, he established Matsumoto Shipyards ca. 1950 on Dollarton Highway in North Vancouver. Matsumoto constructed the first aluminum welded boats in North America among the 455 boats the Matsumoto Shipyard is estimated to have built. The shipyards closed in 1989 but it continued as part of Allied Shipyards.
Visit the MONOVA website for more information about the history of the North Shore and to plan your visit to MONOVA: Museum of North Vancouver now open at 115 West Esplanade in The Shipyards.
Currently, MONOVA: Archives of North Vancouver at 3203 Institute Road in Lynn Valley is open by appointment only. Contact: [email protected]
Navigate culture on the North Shore by using the North Shore Culture Compass.
