Other Reasons to Be in Niagara BROCK’S MONUMENT: Canada and the United States today share the longest peaceful border in the world. Almost two hundred years ago, however, control of the Niagara River section of this international border was a constant dispute. Many decisive battles of the War of 1812 occurred along both sides of the river. Brock’s Monument is built in honour of Major General Sir Isaac Brock’s fatal attempt to retake Queenston Heights. General Sir Roger Hale Sheaffe completed this mission, which was the turning point of the war. WINERIES OF NIAGARA: The Niagara area is very rich in grapes. For information on 22 local wineries, visit www.NiagaraOnTheLake.com. Plan a day to enjoy tasting, and bring home your favourites! WELLAND CANAL: The St. Lawrence River and the five Great Lakes together constitute the greatest inland waterway in the world. From the Atlantic Ocean, it extends 3,700 kilometres (2,300 miles) into the very heart of North America, forming a vital commercial shipping route. The only problem: a major obstacle called Niagara Falls prevents ships from sailing between Lakes Erie and Ontario! The solution: the WELLAND CANAL, bypassing the Falls and lifting vessels over the Niagara Escarpment. The first Welland Canal opened in 1829, with 39 locks, and entered the Niagara River above the Falls at Chippewa. In 1833, it was lengthened to Port Colborne, with 40 locks. The first canal was constructed of wood and has completely disappeared, disintegrated, been dismantled or buried. The present canal is the fourth and was completed in 1932. The total length of the canal system is 43.13 kilometres (26.8 miles) with little traffic, and the average transit time is 8 to 12 hours. The captain must be in command of the bridge for the complete transit; he may grab a meal or rest in the wheelhouse while the ship is being raised or lowered. Most locks are 261.8 metres (859 feet) long, 24.4 metres (80 feet) wide and 24.8 metres (81.5 feet) deep. A ship is raised or lowered 14.2 metres (46.5 feet). When the ships are “climbing the escarpment” in the Flight Locks (locks 4, 5, and 6) they’re being raised 42.5 metres (139.5 feet). In all, from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie, the ships are being raised 99.5 metres (326.5 feet). Ships up to a maximum of 225.5 metres (740 feet) long and 23.7 metres (78 feet) wide can now transit the Welland Canal. The cost for commercial vehicles to pass through the locks is from $19,000 to $38,000. Pleasure crafts cannot be less than 6 metres (20 feet) in length or under one ton of weight. The cost is $80.00 Canadian. It takes approximately 33 minutes for a freighter to enter a lock, be raised or lowered, then depart. The actual raising or lowering takes 10 to 12 minutes. The remainder of that time is used in positioning the ship and tying her* up. This is called SPOTTING A SHIP. It takes 94.5 million litres (21 million gallons) of water to fill a lock. NO PUMPS OF ANY KIND ARE USED TO FILL OR EMPTY THE LOCKS. All the water filling and emptying is done by gravity-flow from Lake Erie down (north) to Lake Ontario. The canal operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from late March to Christmas week. By then, the ice is often fairly thick, and sometimes the last ship through has to be escorted by tugs. From January to March, the Canal may be drained anywhere for repairs or reconstruction. *A ship is called “SHE” because it is the belief of sailors that a ship is very close to being a living entity, endowed with a spirit and a distinct personality, demanding respect and, given proper consideration, most dependable. With sailors being away for months on end, this near-human being took on the beauty and mystique of a woman.
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