Left to right (back row): Dr. J.S. Muray, Albert Munro, (front row): Minnie Kitchin (wife of James), James Kitchin, Kitchin's daughter (name unknown).  

	Two of the best-known shipyards at River John were those of the James Kitchins (Senior and Junior) and Archibald MacKenzie. James Kitchin Sr. began in 1845 with the building of the "Express," a brigantine of 103 tons. By 1850 he was joined by his son James Jr. The designer and foremen of the yard was Duncan Johnson. His largest vessel, and the largest built in Pictou County, was the "Warrior," a ship of 1687 tons launched from the Kitchin yard on August 21, 1884. In the same year, Archibald McKenzie, Kitchin's rival since 1848, built the "Caldera," a ship of 1574 tons.(Taken from "Ships of the North Shore")
	James Kitchin Jr. was born at Pictou in the year 1839. The shipbuilding business (shown left) at River John was established in 1844 by his father, James Kitchin Sr., who was well known and highly respected in this county and elsewhere for many years. In the beginning the business was comparatively small, but as time rolled on trade increased, and the resources of the country were rapidly developed, and the shipyard of Mr. Kitchin began to assume extensive proportions. Much of the success which attended his first efforts was due to his business ability, industry, enterprise and perseverance. Without these qualifications the concern would have been short-lived, and would be known now only as a thing of the past. For nearly thirty years this important business was under the control and management of Mr. Kitchin, Sr. (Taken from the "Pictou County Atlas" 1972).
	In this yard some seventy ships were built, averaging one to three every year; and some of the most beautiful and substantial vessels that ever floated on British and American waters have been built here.