Forges du Saint-Maurice
Encyclopedia
Forges du Saint-Maurice , just outside of Trois-Rivières
, Quebec
, is a National Historic Site of Canada, and birthplace of the country's iron industry.
Forges du Saint-Maurice was created on 25 March 1730, the second company (after the failure of the first) granted a monopoly
to employ the iron ore deposits at Trois-Rivières.
The forge started working in 1738 and remained in virtually continuous operation until closing. It employed about 100 craftsmen (most originally from Burgundy) and 300-400 labourers in production of forged
and molded iron products, including pots, pans, and stoves. Director F. E. Cugnet went bankrupt in 1742, leading to a state takeover and handover to Britain after the Treaty of Paris
.
In 1747, the company experimented unsuccessfully with cannon making and steel production.
From 1738 into the mid-1830s, the Forges were "the most technologically advanced ironworks in America", but had become the oldest operating blast furnace
in North America
, and far out of date, by the time it shut down for good in March 1883.
In 1973, Forges du Saint-Maurice became a national historic park. Archaeological research there continues.
Trois-Rivières
Trois-Rivières means three rivers in French and may refer to:in Canada*Trois-Rivières, the largest city in the Mauricie region of Quebec, Canada*Circuit Trois-Rivières, a racetrack in Trois-Rivières, Quebec...
, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, is a National Historic Site of Canada, and birthplace of the country's iron industry.
Forges du Saint-Maurice was created on 25 March 1730, the second company (after the failure of the first) granted a monopoly
Monopoly
A monopoly exists when a specific person or enterprise is the only supplier of a particular commodity...
to employ the iron ore deposits at Trois-Rivières.
The forge started working in 1738 and remained in virtually continuous operation until closing. It employed about 100 craftsmen (most originally from Burgundy) and 300-400 labourers in production of forged
Forging
Forging is a manufacturing process involving the shaping of metal using localized compressive forces. Forging is often classified according to the temperature at which it is performed: '"cold," "warm," or "hot" forging. Forged parts can range in weight from less than a kilogram to 580 metric tons...
and molded iron products, including pots, pans, and stoves. Director F. E. Cugnet went bankrupt in 1742, leading to a state takeover and handover to Britain after the Treaty of Paris
Treaty of Paris (1763)
The Treaty of Paris, often called the Peace of Paris, or the Treaty of 1763, was signed on 10 February 1763, by the kingdoms of Great Britain, France and Spain, with Portugal in agreement. It ended the French and Indian War/Seven Years' War...
.
In 1747, the company experimented unsuccessfully with cannon making and steel production.
From 1738 into the mid-1830s, the Forges were "the most technologically advanced ironworks in America", but had become the oldest operating blast furnace
Blast furnace
A blast furnace is a type of metallurgical furnace used for smelting to produce industrial metals, generally iron.In a blast furnace, fuel and ore and flux are continuously supplied through the top of the furnace, while air is blown into the bottom of the chamber, so that the chemical reactions...
in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, and far out of date, by the time it shut down for good in March 1883.
In 1973, Forges du Saint-Maurice became a national historic park. Archaeological research there continues.