Black Watch (full-rigged ship)
Black Watch was a large full-rigged ship built by Windsor shipbuilder Bennett Smith in Windsor, Nova Scotia. It was the last ship built by Smith in Windsor. Construction Bennett Smith was the foremost owner, designer and master shipbuilder in Windsor. He ran a shipyard inherited from his father on Smith's Island, at the intersection of the Avon and St. Croix Rivers. With his brothers he built 27 ships in Windsor, the final one being the full-rigged, 1318-ton Black Watch. The ship cost $50,000.00 to construct and was launched in May 1877 to great fanfare. Upon completion of Black Watch, Smith closed his shipyard, reportedly over a wage dispute with his employees. Smith continued to invest in shipbuilding, mainly in Saint John, New Brunswick, and was a principal in the Avon Marine and Shipowners Insurance Company. Career and loss Black Watch sailed from Windsor on 6 June 1877 bound for New York in ballast (heavy material placed in hold for stability). On board were a crew of 23 under the leadership of the veteran Captain Newcomb, who along with Smith held shares in the ownership of the vessel. Having taken on a cargo of oil, the ship sailed for Bremerhaven, Germany,