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This Week in Saint John History September 7–12, 2026

This Week in Saint John History

September 7–12, 2026

 

Saint John has always been a city shaped by its harbour, transportation, communications and connection to the wider world. This week in history includes a royal visit, Confederation discussions, the arrival of the telephone and Canada’s entry into the Second World War.

September 7, 1869 — Prince Arthur Arrives in New Brunswick

Prince Arthur, son of Queen Victoria, began his Royal Tour of New Brunswick on September 7, 1869.

He arrived at Shediac aboard HMS Dart and travelled by train toward Saint John, stopping at Petitcodiac and Sussex. Upon reaching Saint John, he attended a Paris Crew sculling match, an event that reflected the city’s strong sporting and maritime traditions.

 

September 8, 1869 — A Royal Torchlight Procession

The royal visit continued in Saint John on September 8.

A levee and Firemen’s Torchlight Procession was held at Old Government House in honour of Prince Arthur. The following day, the Prince departed by horse and carriage for Woodstock.

Saint John’s volunteer firefighters were already an important part of civic life, particularly in a city where fire had historically posed a serious threat.

 

September 10, 1864 — Confederation Takes Another Step

On September 10, 1864, representatives from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and the Province of Canada met at Province House in Halifax to discuss the details of union.

By September 12, the delegates had agreed to hold another conference in Quebec to consider a union of British North America.

These discussions eventually led to Confederation in 1867, with New Brunswick becoming one of Canada’s four original provinces.

 

 September 10, 1939 — Canada Declares War

On September 10, 1939, Canada declared war on Germany, formally entering the Second World War.

For Saint John, the war would have a particularly important connection because of the city’s port, shipbuilding, railways and maritime industries. The harbour became an important part of Canada’s wartime transportation network.

The City of Saint John notes that the harbour and shipbuilding industry have played a central role in the city’s development since the nineteenth century.

September 11, 1884 — Saint John Gets Connected

Here’s a fascinating piece of Saint John technological history.

On September 11, 1884, the telephone company in Saint John reported a total of 291 telephones in service.

Imagine Saint John in the 1880s: telephones were still a relatively new technology, yet hundreds were already connecting businesses and residents across the city.

 

 September 12, 1900 — A Major Maritime Storm

On September 12, 1900, the Galveston Hurricane, which had originated off the coast of Texas, reached New Brunswick.

The storm had devastating consequences for the region. Ten fishing schooners from Gloucester County were lost in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

The event is a reminder of the dangers faced by Atlantic Canada’s fishing and maritime communities more than a century ago.

 

⚓ Saint John: A City Shaped by the Sea

The events of this week show how many different aspects of Saint John’s history come back to the harbour and the city’s connections with the outside world.

Royal visitors arrived by ship.
Rowers competed on the harbour.
Telephones transformed communications.
Ships and railways became vital during wartime.
And maritime communities faced the power of Atlantic storms.

The City of Saint John describes the community as the “Port City” and notes that its harbour has continued to welcome people from around the world, helping shape the city’s culture and identity.

 Sources

— Historical Saint John newspapers, including the St. John Daily Telegraph and Morning Journal for 1869.

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