history
The Legacy of Shipbuilding on the Miramichi river
what is a chi shanty?
The term Chi Shanty is a creative term that reflects the festival's roots and spirit. "Chi" is derived from Miramichi, the name of our city, a common nickname given by locals, while "shanty" refers to the traditional work songs sung by sailors to coordinate their efforts aboard ships. Sea shanties are characterized by their rhythmic call-and-response format, designed to synchronize tasks like hoisting sails or rowing. By adopting this name, the festival celebrates Miramichi's maritime heritage and the communal joy of music that brings people together, much like the sailors of old.
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As vessels took shape along the Miramichi’s shores, so too did a unique cultural identity, one deeply tied to the rhythms of work, water, and song. The shipyards weren't just places of labor; they were alive with music, camaraderie, and the sounds of sailors singing sea shanties to pace their tasks. These songs became part of the region's oral heritage, echoing across generations and helping to anchor Miramichi's place in Atlantic Canada’s maritime folklore. ​​
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Then was born the 'Chi Shanty Music Festival, by the FRIENDS OF BEAUBEARS ISLAND INC.!
beaubears island
In the 19th century, Beaubears Island, Miramichi, became a hub of shipbuilding activity that helped define Miramichi’s place in Canada’s maritime history. With its natural deep-water channels and abundant timber, the island was ideally suited for constructing the large wooden sailing ships needed for transatlantic trade. Under the leadership of shipbuilders like James Fraser and Joseph Russell, the island hosted one of the most productive shipyards in New Brunswick, launching over 50 ships that carried Miramichi’s name and lumber across the world.
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At the height of its operations, the Beaubears Island shipyard was a bustling industrial site employing skilled craftsmen, including carpenters, blacksmiths, and sailmakers. The largest vessels built here could exceed 1,000 tons, rivaling any constructed in the Maritimes. The booming shipbuilding industry didn’t just fuel the local economy, it shaped the growth of the surrounding communities and established the Miramichi River as a key artery in global trade networks during the age of sail.
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As the age of wooden ships came to a close in the late 1800s, Beaubears Island’s shipyards fell silent, and nature slowly reclaimed the site. Today, the island stands as a National Historic Site, preserved for its unique blend of cultural and industrial heritage. Visitors can still see the outlines of shipyard slipways and learn about the incredible craftsmanship that once echoed through the forested banks. During the ‘Chi Shanty Music Festival, the island comes alive again, not with hammer and saw, but with song, storytelling, and celebration of the river’s rich maritime past.
middle island
Just downriver from Beaubears, Middle Island tells another chapter of Miramichi’s maritime story, one of resilience, tragedy, and care. While not a shipbuilding site, Middle Island was a critical waystation for immigrant ships arriving in the 19th century, particularly during the Irish Potato Famine. In 1847, the island served as a quarantine station for ships carrying Irish immigrants, many of whom arrived sick or dying from typhus. Though a somber place in local memory, Middle Island today stands as a place of reflection and remembrance, a reminder of the human stakes behind the commerce and movement that drove the region’s growth. Together, the histories of Beaubears and Middle Island illustrate how the river has carried both opportunity and hardship.
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Miramichi itself grew in tandem with the river’s industry. Logging, shipping, fishing, and boatbuilding formed the economic backbone of the region throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. Towns like Chatham and Newcastle developed as commercial centres, while outlying communities supplied timber and labour. Wealth from the lumber and shipbuilding trades helped build the area’s churches, schools, and civic buildings, many of which still stand today as a testament to the prosperity and craftsmanship of the time. As steamships and steel hulls began to replace wooden sailing vessels, the region's industries adapted, but the cultural memory of the age of sail remained strong.
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Today, Miramichi continues to embrace its river heritage in a modern way through tourism, festivals, and a renewed appreciation of its natural and historic assets. The ‘Chi Shanty Music Festival is part of this living culture, echoing the working songs of the past while inviting new voices to the riverbank. Whether through ferry rides to Beaubears Island, strolls through historic Middle Island Park, or an evening of sea songs downtown, the festival is a celebration of everything the Miramichi was and still is: resilient, welcoming, and shaped by the water that runs through it.
miramichi river tourism
The Miramichi River remains the heart of the region, economically, culturally, and recreationally. While the age of tall ships has passed, the river continues to define life in the Miramichi through fishing, boating, and community gatherings along its banks. Locals and visitors alike take to the water in canoes, kayaks, and pontoons, especially during the warm summer months when the river becomes a hub of activity. Fly-fishing for Atlantic salmon is still a cherished tradition, drawing anglers from across the globe to test their skill on these storied waters.
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Tourism in the Miramichi has flourished in recent years, blending natural beauty with cultural heritage experiences. Sites like Beaubears Island and Middle Island offer interpretive programs that highlight Indigenous history, Acadian resilience, and the area’s shipbuilding legacy. The city itself boasts historic walking tours, vibrant waterfront parks, and events that celebrate local music, storytelling, and cuisine. Whether it’s paddling a section of the river trail, visiting a museum, or attending a ceilidh at a local pub, visitors quickly discover that the Miramichi’s charm lies in its blend of history, hospitality, and scenic tranquility.
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Events like the ‘Chi Shanty Music Festival play a key role in showcasing modern river culture while honoring the past. With songs that once guided sailors and log drivers now filling the air from a riverbank stage, the festival connects generations through music, memory, and place. Combined with local food, artisan markets, and ferry rides to a historic island, festivals like this one are not only a celebration, they’re an invitation to be part of the story. In the Miramichi, the river is more than a backdrop. It’s a living thread that continues to shape the region’s identity, inviting all who come to experience its rhythm.