Canso Canal NS
Dawnbreaker
Lars Alfredson
Thu 22 Jun 2023 11:33
Northbound to the St Lawrence gulf through the Canso Canal Lock (2ft of level variance) build in 1955.
About:
Canso Canal Operations
The Canso Canal, operated by CCG Maritimes Region, links Chedabucto Bay to Northumberland Strait. The Canal operates from April 14 to December 23, on a 24/7 basis. In 2007, there were 3,025 vessel transits through the Canal, and this number is steadily increasing.
History of the Canso Canal
The Strait of Canso separates Cape Breton Island from the mainland of Nova Scotia. The Mi'kmaq were the original settlers in the area until the 1780s, when other settlements were established on both shores. Historically, fishermen used the Strait of Canso as a passageway between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of St. Lawrence, establishing the Strait as a water route.
In addition to being a navigational shortcut for fishermen, the deep waters of the Strait of Canso were eventually used by coastal freighters and later by oil tankers. Sailing through the Strait saved time and fuel costs by trimming 70 nautical miles off the voyage to Montreal and 171 nautical miles off a trip to Charlottetown versus sailing around the the tip of Cape Breton.
Besides travel through the Strait of Canso, there was ferry traffic between the two shores, which transported trains and vehicle traffic. As traffic congestion on both sides of the Strait of Canso increased, demand for a permanent crossing grew. Although a suspension bridge between the two shores was considered, Canadian National Railway officials insisted on a causeway to facilitate the safe movement of trains.
