Shickluna Shipyards, today is now notable for the enigmatic pink building located along 12 Mile Creek below the Burgoyne Bridge, used by the fire department in training drills. Shickluna Shipyards were a major employer and arguably the best shipbuilder operating on the Great Lakes in the mid 1800's. Founded by Louis Shickluna in 1836 from an offer he took from William Hamilton Merrit, to help repair and build ships. In 1850, Shickluna opened a dry dock beside Lock 3 of the second Welland Canal, which is now St. Paul Crescent. Shickluna Shipyards were involved in the many developments of the niagara peninsula. Shickluna built a dry-dock large enough to handle the so-called "canallers" of the day. The dock was divided into two sections which could be flooded or drained separately and hence two vessels could be accommodated at once. Few and far between were the times when either dry-dock was empty and when there were not ships building in the yard ashore and lined up outside awaiting repairs(Bascom, 2005). By 1856, it is estimated Shickluna had built 24 vessels at the St. Catharines shipyard, in addition to doing countless repairs. In his lifetime, he is reported to have built as many as 150 ships, and perhaps more. In fact, Shickluna had overwhelming confidence in his trade, as he boasted the repair of a ship including the addition of a new mast and fittings completed in one evening. He wagered $1,000 to anyone in the world who could do the same job faster than he had. There were no takers (Floyd, 2016). Louis Shickluna passed away April 24, 1880, leaving not only a shipyard and a fleet of masterworks, but a lasting legacy that also helped put St. Catharines on the map. After his death his son took over and during its operation the shipyard maintained several administrative buildings, a mill, a blacksmith, as well as, the two dry docks at the site. Shickluna Shipyard, established itself as a premier shipbuilder and St. Catharines as a major center for repairs and builds (Brock University, 2012).

Municipality: St. Catharines

Local area name: Downtown St. Catharines

Latitude and longitude:

Latitude - 43.151841

Longitude - 79.248697

Physical Dimensions:

Length: 130m

Width: 65m

Surface Area: 400m

Elevation:

Highest/Lowest Points

84m = lowest point

83m = highest point

The Former Shickluna Shipyard is now a flat landscape located beside Twelve Mile Creek. Behind the property is the St. Catharines downtown core slightly elevated from its position. The Burgoyne Bridge can be seen above connecting the downtown core to the other side of the creek. Currently the site is used as a Fire Training Facility but, in the meantime is under zoning construction for the Burgoyne Bridge. The area is cleared of plants and wildlife and a lone building stands in the centre.

Map 1:Google Maps (2016) of former Shickluna Shipyard

Plants and plant communities:

• Plant species / assemblages / communities
• The forest condition indicators for Upper Twelve Mile Creek watershed produced an overall grade from the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA, 2012) of C. The Forest Cover % received a grade of B which can be attributed to large contiguous forested areas throughout the upper reaches of this system including Short Hills Provincial Park. The Forest Interior % grade of D was still below the provincial target. This grade is linked to issues with connectivity between the forests that are being addressed in part through a concentrated restoration effort in this watershed. The Riparian Zone Forested % received a grade of B as many of the large intact forests are within the valley lands along the watercourses. Since the Shipyard was close to the downtown core many plant habitats were developed into settlements.
  
• Animal species / assemblages / communities
• Since this area is predominantly for industrial use there is minimal wildlife due to the human impacts However in 12 Mile Creek From fall through spring, the creek receives good runs of steelhead and brown trout from Lake Ontario with some stray Chinook and Coho Salmon mixed in. Good trout and salmon runs are highly dependant on stream flow. Twelve Mile Creek is the only identified cold water stream in the Niagara Region and has the only self-sustaining Brook Trout population.
  
  
• Rare / threatened / endangered plant or animal species.
• Endangered Birds include Barn Owls and Yellow-breasted Chats. Endangered Fish such as the American Eel and Redside Dace. Endangered Mammals such as the Grey Fox. Endangered Plants including Butternut and Eastern Flowering Dogwood. And endangered Reptiles including the Eastern Milk-snake.

Geomorphology:

• Describe the major physical features of your landscape (topography, soils, geological features, etc.) in the present day.
• The Standards and Guidelines (MTC 2011) stipulates that primary water sources (lakes, rivers, streams, creeks, etc.), secondary water sources (intermittent streams and creeks, springs, marshes, swamps, etc.), ancient water sources (glacial lake shorelines indicated by the presence of raised sand or gravel beach ridges, relic river or stream channels indicated by clear dip or swale in the topography, shorelines of drained lakes or marshes, cobble beaches, etc.), as well as accessible or inaccessible shorelines (high bluffs, swamp or marsh fields by the edge of a lake, sandbars stretching into marsh, etc.) are characteristics that indicate archaeological potential.

Water has been identified as the major determinant of Shickluna Shipyard and the presence of potable water is the single most important resource necessary for any extended human occupation or settlement. Since water sources have remained relatively stable in Ontario after the Pleistocene era, proximity to water can be regarded as a useful index for the evaluation of archaeological site potential. (Merrit L. 2011)

Dominated by the Haldimand Clay Plain extending south of the Escarpment which runs through the study area. Southern portions of the watershed touch the Fonthill Kame Moraine. Sand plains exist along some southern parts of the watershed as well as northern areas along Lake Ontario.

• Natural erosion of the Twelve Mile creek has occurred but by the Shickluna Shipyard Human influences changed the shape of the Twelve Mile Creek
• The Land has bee excavated into the hill that is at the back of the property. In addition the land in the area is all flattened and a Fire Training building is standing in the middle.
• Historically, Lousi Shickluna had several Dry Dock Stations and a lock for his Shipyard.

Hydrological Processes (pp. 133-161):

Surface water quality monitoring of the Upper Twelve Mile Creek on 1st Louth Street was initiated in 1977 and was given an overall grade of C from the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA, 2012). Although the water quality regularly exceeded the provincial guidelines for phosphorus and E. coli, there are sections of Upper Twelve Mile Creek watershed (Effingham and St. Johns) that have the best water quality in the entire NPCA watershed. The benthic community found in this watershed consisted of pollutant sensitive animals and achieved the Benthic Indicator target. Watershed initiatives that reduce nutrient and bacteria contamination will improve the water quality of the Upper Twelve Mile Creek.

• Major Hydrogeological features
  The Niagara Peninsula Source Protection Tier 1 Water Budget identified Twelve Mile Creek watershed as at low stress levels with respect to groundwater supply relative to their overall demands. Urbanized areas are serviced by local waterwaste treatment plants, while rural areas may be serviced by private septic systems. The City of St. Catharines has two sewage treatment plants.(NPCA, 2012)
  
• Describe any significant natural changes in hydrogeology that have occurred to your landscape over time (e.g., lake level changes, evolution of rivers and streams, glacier melting, etc.)
• Human-induced changes in hydrogeology
• Twelve Mile Creek watersheds are primarily serviced by municipal water supplies with only about 3% of the population on private water supplies such as groundwater wells. Water wells need to be properly constructed and maintained to prevent contamination. The safety, testing and treatment of a private well is the responsibility of the well owner.
• Cannals and Locks Developed throughout the 1900's to early 2000's that intercept with the Twelve Mile Creek (Welland Canal 1934) (Niagara Navigator 1974)
• Twelve Mile Creek Prior to Human developments. (Niagara Navigator, 1934)
• 

Climate (pp.189-218)

Global mean annual temperatures increased as much as 0.6oC over the last century (Hansen et al, 1999; Jones et al, 1999). This warming followed a long term cooling trend (Mann et al, 1999). Climate modelling indicates rising concentrations of greenhouse gases, arising from human activities, are the primary agents forcing this change (Crowley, 2000). Indeed, data show that 1998 was the warmest year and 1989-1998 the warmest ten year interval since at least 1400 AD (Mann et al, 1998) and likely in the millennium (Mann et al, 1999). In addition, precipitation trends are increasing in northern hemisphere continental areas of the mid to high latitudes (IPCC, 1996).

The Canadian Biosphere Reserves Association (CBRA) has identified climate change as an area of interest and has initiated a project to develop community climate change strategies. Information on impacts, trends, and scenarios are needed as input to a strategy development process.

In southern Canada, estimates of increases in total precipitation are 13% over the period 1890-1990 (Groisman and Easterling, 1994) and 11% from 1900-95 (Zhang et al, in press). Trends are positive in south central and south eastern Canada (Groisman and Easterling, 1994) and in British Columbia (Zhang et al, in press). In eastern Canada, trends are most significant in the annual series and fall period (ibid), (Hamliton and Whitelaw, 2000)

Currently the Air Quality Index is low in St. Catharines

• Current Air Quality Health Index: 2
• Calculated at 6:00 pm EST Sunday, November 13, 2016
• Risk: Low

There were cooler conditions in the early decades of the century, warming into the early 1950s, cooling to the late 1970s, and subsequent warming. The overall increases in mean annual temperature are 0.6oC at St. Catharines and 0.7oC at Welland and Wiarton A (Table 4). Increases in mean temperature are generally highest in winter and spring and lower in summer and fall.

Trends in minimum and maximum temperatures at St. Catharines, Welland, and Wiarton A show most of the increase in mean temperature is due to rising minimum values (Tables 5 and 6). There are significant increases in annual minimum temperatures (1.1 to 1.4oC), while changes in annual maximum temperature vary between -0.1 to 0.2oC. Significant increases in minimum temperatures occur in each season with the highest increases in the summer (1.4 to 1.7oC) and lowest increases in the fall (0.4 to 1.2oC). Maximum temperatures show increases in the winter (0.4 to 0.9oC) and spring (0.1 to 0.4oC) while summer and fall values show cooling (0.0 to -0.8oC). Overall, the daily temperature range (DTR) has declined between 1.0oC (St. Catharines and Welland) and 1.5oC (Wiarton A) in the period of record, (Hamilton and Whitelaw, 2000).

Trends in temperature and precipitation from climate stations near the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve show recent increases in mean and minimum temperatures and in total precipitation and rainfall. The most significant changes are winter and spring warming and increased rainfall in the fall season. To place the identified trends in context, a paleoclimatic database of existing records is under development for the region, (Hamilton and Whitelaw, 2000).

• Archaeological influences:
• Shickluna Shipyards were arguably the best shipbuilder operating on the Great Lakes in the mid - late 1800's. Founded by Louis Shickluna in 1836 from a job he accepted from William Hamilton Merrit, to help repair and build ships. When he had absorbed enough information on the subject of shipbuilding, he moved to St Catharines and from 1838 leased a shipyard along the WELLAND CANAL which he then purchased in 1845 .
  
  
• Land use history: The land history of this landscape began with development of the St.Catharines village and Niagara Peninsula. William Merrit, purchased the land and invested in many canals and shipyards. Louis Shickluna leased the land and develop the Shickluna Shipyard. He modified the area by installing dry docks and locks along the Twelve Mile Creek. Since the Shipyard was located in the heart of St. Catharines, the establishment became very popular for transporting of goods and people throughout southern Ontario. (Merrit, L. 2011
• Describe the land use history of your landscape after the arrival of European settlers, including its commercial / industrial / agricultural / residential uses, and how these have influenced your landscape over time.
• The land history of this landscape began with development of the St.Catharines village and Niagara Peninsula. William Merrit, purchased the land and invested in many canals and shipyards. Louis Shickluna leased the land and develop the Shickluna Shipyard. He modified the area by installing dry docks and locks along the Twelve Mile Creek. Since the Shipyard was located in the heart of St. Catharines, the establishment became very popular for transporting of goods and people throughout southern Ontario.
• Photo courtesy of Alicia Floyd, St. Catharines Standard

[Education / Interpretation:

• 
• Photo Contributor Wayne Adam (2010)

Architectural Heritage:

Shickluna's business prospered and employed three hundred men out of St. Catherine's work force of two thousand. Although competing with two other neighbouring yards he obtained substantial orders. This kind hearted Senglean was a great benefactor and contributed enormously to the St. Catherine community he also gave work to run-away slaves from America. His products were in great demand and of superior quality making them to last longer (Warwick, 2015)

In 1850, Shickluna opened a dry dock beside Lock 3 of the second Welland Canal, which is now St. Paul Crescent. Shickluna Shipyards were involved in the many developments of the niagara peninsula and Shickluna built a dry-dock large enough to handle the so-called "canallers" of the day. The dock was divided into two sections which could be flooded or drained separately and hence two vessels could be accommodated at once.

Once the Shipyard was shut down the area was run with a few administration buildings and now presently the Fire Training Facility.

Louis Shickluna (Right) Map of Welland Canal and Developments (Left) Courtesy of F. Mangion (2015)

Recreational Uses:

No Recreationla uses currently because the land is owned by the city of St.Catharines and used for the Fire Department in training drills.

Ownership, jurisdiction, access, and management

• Zoning / Official Plan Designation:
• The NPCA has been monitoring five Provincial Groundwater Monitoring Network (PGMN) wells in the Twelve Mile Creek watershed since 2003. All five PGMN wells (W357, W361-2, W361-3, W362-2 & W362-3) are located in Pelham and monitor the chemistry and water levels of the Fonthill Kame-Delta Complex. Water quality results for PGMN well W361- 2 exceeded Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards (ODWQS) for nitrate. The nitrate exceedance was thoroughly investigated by Ministry of Environment, NPCA, Municipal and Public Health staff and found to be caused by contamination from the adjacent landuse. NPCA and Public Health staff sampled nearby private wells and determined that contamination was isolated to the PGMN well. PGMN wells W361-3 & W362-2 exceeded ODWQS for sodium. These exceedances were also investigated and found to be caused by natural groundwater conditions. Data for these PGMN wells show that groundwater levels generally decline from May to October, and increase from fall to spring with the largest increase in March. Some of these PGMN groundwater levels were lowest in 2007 during a significant drought year. (NPCA, 2012)
• Access
• The construction of the Burgoyne Bridge has occupied much of the are due to their use of storing equipment and inventory. The super structure work for the new west bridge is nearly complete.The structural steel beams that tie the east and west bridge decks together are being erected.Installation of the temporary steel towers that support the structural tri-chord arch during erection are being completed.The first arch segment is expected to arrive on-site Sept. 12 and will be installed in six pieces. It will be erected using two cranes positioned on the new west bridge deck. The segments will be temporarily supported on the temporary towers during the initial installation.It is expected that the erection of the arch will take approximately two weeks to complete. During this period the contractor will be utilizing full closures of the Burgoyne Bridge and Highway 406 during nighttime closures (10 p.m. - 6 a.m.). The contractor is aiming to have the bridge decks fully supported by the structural arch by the end of the year with traffic and pedestrians using both the west and east bridges.Removal of the temporary supports, final landscaping and surface works, including the widening of the Stage 1 sidewalk is expected to occur in the spring of 2017(Niagara Region, 2016)

Jurisdiction/Ownership:

• It is used today by the fire department of St. Catharines for training drills and therefore owned by the Municipality of St.Catharines.

Landscape Signatures

• There have been many commercial and industrial impacts at this location Construction of Highway 406 began in 1963. The first section opened between St. Davids Road and Geneva Street on December 7, 1965, followed by a southward extension to Beaverdams Road in late 1969. The route was later extended south as a super two to Merritt Road where it became Highway 58. In 1977, construction began to connect the freeway with the QEW; this was completed in late 1984. Construction on the route resumed in 1987, connecting the route with East Main Street in Welland, completed in 1995.[3]
  Then theres the Construction of the Burgoyne Bridge in 1915. Prior to construction of the Burgoyne Bridge, Twelve Mile Creek was crossed at a site just to the east of the study area, where the present steel truss bridge is located. This crossing accommodated one of the first roads in the area, considered to be an important early link to all points further west in the Niagara Peninsula and to the Head of the Lake, and was of vital importance for troop movements during the War of 1812. The first reference to a wooden bridge at this location was made in the first surviving Grantham Township minutes from 1818, but was probably built much earlier. The Maingy Map of St. Catharines (Plan 77), compiled in 1836, showed what was probably the second bridge at this same crossing point.3 The early (pre-1818) wooden bridge, which was undoubtedly an immobile structure, would have been replaced prior to 1829 by some sort of swing-bridge to allow for the passage of ships.
  Built By: the Dominion Steel and Coal Corporation and Sprague and Reppert of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  St. Paul Crescent is the name of the road that this bridge once carried. Essentially cut off by Highway 406, it is now closed to vehicular traffic, but remains in use by non-motorized traffic, since a trail system that parallel the 406 is linked to this bridge today.
• Highway 406 (Wiki, 2016)
• 
• Map of location in 2013 showing the Twelve Mile Creek the Burgoyne Bridge and the site where the old shipyard used to be.

[In this section, provide properly formatted citations of:

• Text and online sources:
• Adam, W. (2010) Louis Shickluna Historic Plaque. Ontario Plaques http://ontarioplaques.com/Plaques/Plaque_Niagara42.html
• Bascom, J. 2005. Louis Shickluna-Shipbuilder. The Scanner. Toronto Marine Historical Society. http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2014/12/07/reme... shipbuilder-louis-shickluna
• Brock University. 2012. Shickluna Shipyards. Historic and Heritage sites. Niagara Greenbelt. Brock University, Niagara Tourism. http://www.niagaragreenbelt.com/listings/53-histor... heritage-sites/784-shickluna-shipyards.html
• Floyd, A. 2016. Remembering the Master Shipbuilder Louis Shickluna. St. Catharines Standard. http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca/docum... ID=c005
• Hamilton, J., Whitelaw, G. (2000) CLIMATE CHANGE TRENDS ALONG THE NIAGARA ESCARPMENT BIOSPHERE RESERVE. Leading Edge '99. http://www.escarpment.org/_files/file.phpfileid=fileRiKfhRuycr&filename =file_hamilton.pdf
• Mangion, F (2015). Saluting Louis Shickluna – Senglean Master Shipbuilder in Canada. Times of Malta. http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20151129/life-features/Saluting-Louis- Shickluna-Senglea-s-master-shipbuilder-in-Canada.593980
• Merrit, L. (2011). Stage 1 Archaeological Assessment. Burgoyne Bridge (Structure #081220) Class Environmental Assessment and Preliminary Design, City of St. Catharines, Ontario. https://www.niagararegion.ca/living/roads/projects...
• NPCA. (2012). Twelve Mile Creek Watershed Report. Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority. https://npca.ca/sites/default/files/TwelveMileCreek_WatershedReportCard.pdf
• Warwick, P. (2015). Louis Shickluna. The Canadian Encyclopedia. http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/louis-shickluna/

This Local Landscape Report was prepared by James Maltby for the Brock University course TOUR 2P94: Human Dominated Ecosystems on November 18, 2016.

All copyrights for cited material rest with the original copyright owners.