Welland Canal

once if ever completed, she will be an expensive build....
thanks for sharing....

Fincantieri Bay Shipyard? (not the sister Marinette Yard which is only warships I think)

Not the welland canal but I thought this would be a good place for unique boats. My apologies if this is not the place.

Oh Ole El Presidente?
Renamed back to Innisfail.
Was stationed Ortega River (Lamb's dock) recently.
Check this out;
https://www.yachtforums.com/feature/trumpy-el-presidente.2408/#post-253722

Some other hits on YF if you search.

Where was she at this time, looks like mid states coastal marshes, south bound.

Long way off of the canals but a fine sight. Maybe a mod can help you open a better or new thread.

I'm also thinking Burger is the destination.

The picture was taken just south of Wrightsville Beach, NC

Fair enough. I had thought 55 meters a bit big for Burger but they offer a Greg Marshall 65meter 'project' on their website so I guess not. Good news if so.

History Of The Welland Canal: Is It The Most Important Canal In North America?
February 14, 2023

While not as as famous as Central America’s Panama Canal, the Welland Canal is older and is a vital waterway in the Great Lakes region of North America. It is a man-made canal that connects Lake Ontario to Lake Erie, allowing ships to bypass Niagara Falls. The canal is an important part of the St. Lawrence Seaway, which is a system of locks, canals, and channels that connect the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean.

The Welland Canal has a long and storied history. It was first proposed in 1824 by William Hamilton Merritt, a Canadian politician and entrepreneur. Merritt wanted to create a canal that would allow ships to bypass the dangerous rapids of the Niagara River. Construction of the canal began in 1824 and was completed in 1829. The canal was an immediate success, and it quickly became an important part of the Great Lakes shipping industry.

Welland Canal Expansion
The Welland Canal has been expanded and improved several times over the years. In 1932, the canal was widened and deepened to accommodate larger ships. In 1959, the canal was further widened and deepened to accommodate even larger ships. In 1973, the canal was widened and deepened yet again to accommodate the largest ships in the Great Lakes.

Today the canal features eight consecutive navigation locks, which enable vessels to ascend or descend 326.5 feet from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie, circumventing Niagara Falls. Each lock chamber measures 766 feet in length, 80 feet in width, and 30 feet in depth.

The Welland Canal is an invaluable asset to the Great Lakes shipping industry, providing a safe and efficient shortcut for ships to bypass the treacherous rapids of the Niagara River and the Niagara Falls. This shortcut saves time and money for shipping companies, allowing them to transport goods more quickly and cost-effectively. Additionally, the Welland Canal helps to imporve shipping in the Great Lakes region by giving ships to access to valuable cargo the midwest. This cargo includes iron ore, coal, grain, limestone, cement, salt, sand, steel, petroleum products, and other commodities.

St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation
The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) is a Canadian Crown corporation responsible for the management and operation of the Welland Canal. The Seaway is a system of locks, canals, and channels that connect the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. The SLSMC is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the Seaway, as well as the maintenance and improvement of its infrastructure.

The SLSMC was established in 1959 as a joint venture between the governments of Canada and the United States. The SLSMC is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Seaway, as well as the development of new technologies and services to improve the efficiency and safety of the system. The SLSMC also works with other government agencies and private sector partners to promote the economic development of the region. SLSMC also works to promote the development of new technologies and services to improve the efficiency and safety of the system.

The Great Lakes-Seaway shipping system is a vital part of the North American economy. It is the most efficient and cost-effective way to move bulk commodities and manufactured goods between the United States, Canada, and overseas markets. The system supports thousands of jobs and generates billions of dollars in economic activity thanks, in part, to the Welland Canal and St. Lawrence Seaway.

Rodger, do you find that the canal is being kept open later into the winter over the past several years? Does the closing date change based on the weather, or do they pick a set date? I tried to find historical data online but was unsuccessful. I was surprised when I crossed the Garden City Skyway in early January and it was still open.

The current canal is the 4th canal. The first opened in 1832 was an immediate success. There was no way to deepen or widen it while in use so a second was built and when it became too narrow and shallow, a third. The two canals operated together until the 4th and current canal was opened in 1932. The 2nd and 3rd canals were declared redundant in 1935 and I believe filled in. I do not know if there are any traces or remains. But briefly in 1932-34 there were three Welland Canals (although the 2nd merely existed and wasn't used). Now just the one.