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James Yeo
James Yeo was born in England 1789, to a poor society where social status was low. He began a
carrier business and came in contact with Thomas Burnard. When he lost his horse due to heavy
drinking Burnard paid his debts and sent him to PEI as a progressor and go-getter in collecting
lumber in 1818. Eager to discard his poor heritage, the hard intelligent character of James Yeo
acted as a so-called debt collector for Thomas Burnard. These debts provided Yeo with sufficient
funds to start a store for liquor and other goods in Port Hill. Yeo's first ship was built with the funding of Mr. Haviland (The attorney of Chanter). He later was to own six shipbuilding operations between Summerside and Tignish. He was in a strong position in the colonies..
He was ruthless, collecting timber and hay from lands he didn't own, and using his aristocratic authority to do so. He signed the builders' certificates on William Ellis' ships and was recognized in England as the owner/builder of the Ellis' operation. Yeo would rise to be the most prominent shipbuilder in the Maritimes, and become very wealthy, with 350 ships from 200 - 1000 tons under his belt. He worked alongside his son William and had greatly climbed the social ladder in his home country of England, accomplishing his greatest desire before his death in 1863.
William Yeo - Ship
786 tons register 159' x 34.4 x 19.6'
Built at Pot Hill in 1862 by James Yeo Jr., the William Yeo was owned jointly by Mr. Yeo, James Yeo Sr., both of Port Hill and William Yeo of
Devon, United Kingdom.
On December 17, 1872 she was sold at Barrow-in-Furness, United Kingdom.
Alma - Barque
356 tons register 118.2' x 23.6' 16'
Built at Port Hill in 1854 by George Ellis, the Alma was owned by James Yeo of Port
Hill. In November 1871 she was lost in ice on the St. Lawrence River, Canada.