Why was the period of timber exports and shipbuilding called the age of wood, wind, and water?

The era in New Brunswick known as the "age of wood, wind, and water" refers to a period of significant economic prosperity driven by the province's vast forest resources and its role in maritime trade.1

This era emerged after 1808, when Napoleon I’s blockade prevented Britain from accessing Baltic supplies of shipbuilding materials. In response, Britain granted preferential tariffs to timber from its North American colonies. New Brunswick, which possessed widespread forests but limited agricultural land, capitalized on this opportunity by exporting timber and developing a robust shipbuilding industry.1

The term reflects the fundamental components of this economy:
* Wood: The primary resource harvested from the province's extensive forests.1
* Wind: The power source used to propel the wooden sailing vessels constructed and operated during this time.1
* Water: The maritime environment and river systems that facilitated the transport of timber and the operation of the shipping industry.1

This period of growth was further stimulated by the 1854 Reciprocity Treaty with the United States and increased demand during the American Civil War.1