Those who live along the
Welland Canal, be it in St. Catharines, Welland, Port Colborne or
the many communities that dot its banks, likely feel they have a
good knowledge of its history. Most know the current canal is the
fourth to be built. Many likely know it has had two terminuses on
Lake Ontario. One being at Port Dalhousie, while the other is
still in use at Port Weller. Some may know where it once climbed
the escarpment near Glendale Ave in St. Catharines. How many know
the Welland Canal once used Chippawa as its Lake Erie terminus? I
suspect fewer still know that for some years Port Maitland was
used as its Lake Erie port! Little remains visible today of the
first three canals. Oh there is a bit of a lock here and maybe
some piece of an old spillway there, but mostly the old canals are
buried or removed.
Advertisment announceing opening of first Welland
Canal
During the building of the 1st Canal, a ditch known as
the Feeder Canal was dug from Welland to Dunnville where a new dam
was built on the Grand River. The dam lifted the water on the
Grand River, enough to allow water to flow into this ditch where
it was used to provide sufficient volume to the many locks
required as the canal climbed the escarpment. The Feeder was soon
deepened to handle ships equal to those using the main canal.
Ships could now travel to and fro from Dunnville even Paris, as in
the main canal. In 1842 an extension was added to the Feeder at
Stromness, and the Port Maitland lock was built at Port Maitland,
allowing ships to enter Lake Erie.
Map showing how 1842 lock changed traffic
By the late 1920's ships had outgrown the old Feeder and
Lock 27 abandoned. Fortunately it escaped a close call with
progress when there was talk of filling it in. Today it remains
the only visible lock from the Feeder system and is in remarkable
condition.
Since 2003, groups of the Port Maitland lock
volunteers, have removed considerable debris and have brought life
back to the old lock. An information table and sign were added
this spring and even more work was done during the summer to
beautify the area. Recently, thanks to cooperation between Peter's
Engines & Rental Centre in Dunnville and Stihl Ltd., Canada, a
brushcutter was donated to the cause which will allow volunteers
to cut the brush on the steep banks at either end of the lock.
I
asked Ed Zynomirski the Director of Marketing for Stihl to express
some thoughts regarding Stihl's involvement in the lock project.
"As a corporate mandate, not only do we invest a lot of
money into the research and development of new products that are
designed to work in nature, but we are also committed to
protecting the environment. The work that has been done to
clean-up the Port Maitland lock in Port Maitland is an excellent
example of preserving the environment and is something that we are
proud to be associated with. This restoration project is not only
a tribute to the environment, but also to that of our ancestors.
After all, taking care of nature is the basis for lip. "
George Barnes and Sons We could not have done it
without them.
Wm. A. Warnick collection
Mayor
Marie Trainer May 1, 2004
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Bill Haartman, a
constant volunteer at the lock
Wm, A. Warnick
collection
Mayor
Marie Trainer never missed a date at the lock.
Wm. A.
Warnick collection
Councilor Buck Sloat
often volunteered at lock.
Wm. A. Warnick collection
Rob
Chambers, Dug right in there
Russ Snively
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