When François-Xavier Drolet bought the land to build his new factory, he choose the St-Charles riverbanks, in the vicinity of the Dorchester bridge in Quebec city. Thanks to its location he can then establish a small maritime shipyard in 1907. A sliding-block helps to hoist the boats in dry docks and proceed to different repairs to the hull. The very heavy machinery parts are brought inside the factory for maintenance or adjustments on rail trains.

This new addition to the factory is the continuity of a long tradition as shipyards successed one another at the same location since the 19th century. Quebec city was then a key location in the timber trade and the Saint-Charles River was such a predilection for the naval construction industry.

During World War II, the then useless docks for the F-X Drolet shipyard were filled up. With it's closure, it was the disappearance of the last maritime yard on Saint-Charles River.