The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-08-02
800" CANAL
IS NOW 90
YEARS OLD

Sault ste Marie. Mich, Aug 2.-The
sault ste Marie ship Canal, the hftieth
anniversary OF the opening OF which was
celebrated today was completed by the
state OF Michigan i'm 1855 This ship canal
the connecting link between Lake Slperi-
or and the lower lakes was transferred 10
the United States government in 1870.
Since the government took charge Of
the waterway vast Improvements have
been undertaken. >the canal having been
widened and deepened several times. II
is now considered the busiest OF the
worlds artificial arteries. In 1883 the lock
erected by the state was destroyed by
excavation for the present Poe lock which
is the largest In the world IL Is 500 feet
long and 100 feet wide with a water depth
OF % feet on the stills.
The Weitzel lock which was made nee
essary by the increased traffic and is still
I'm operation Is SIS feet long The traffic
by way OF the 500 canals, American and
Canadian. during 1904 was thirty-two
million net tons twenty-seven million net
tons twenty-seven million OF which was
through the American canal.
The traffic Of the Suez canal in 1904 was
twelve million net tons This represented
large part OF the commerce of Europe
with Asia and some OF that between the
United States and Asia.
The 500 canal has developed the vast
mineral wealth OF the Lake Superior re-
gion and has furnished cheap and con-
venient outlet for the transportation of
grain. -four and other products 10 the east
and TO Europe. II has helped 70 build Up
great industrial centres at Detroit, Cleve-
land and Buffalo has aided In making
Pittsburg the greatest iron and steel CEN
tire IN the world and has contributed ma
terially towards giving the United States
L., hn nf
steel and copper
Another lock must be built In the near
future and the ship canal above the locks
must be widened because OF the great de-
velopment I'm the traffic Of the northwest
with the city crowded with visitors and
with bunting flying from all the buildings
on both sides. the American and tho
Canadian sides OF the ST. Mary's river.
n salute at sunrise from the government
ships in the harbor opened the two days
celebration of the semi-centennial OF the
opening OF the canal.
Vice President Charles w Fairbanks.
Gov Fred NJ. Warner OF Michigan and
his STAFF. United states Senator j. G. Bur
rows OF Michigan and many American
and Canadian officials are participating
I'm the celebration. The first day was de-
voted to naval and military parades, an
Indian exhibition and n reception by Gov
Warner 10 the other distinguished guests
followed by an exhibition or fireworks
Vice President Fairbanks and Gov
Warner reviewed the naval parade from
the deck ~ the naval reserve ship Nanuc
The military parade was participated IN
bv tho battalion ~ the First United
states infantry. stationed at Fort Brady
n number % companies of the Michigar
National guard and the battalion 81
Michigan naval reserves After the mill
tarv parade came a program ~ 1ndiar
sports Tomorrow the commemorative
exercises will ho held and addresses Vtl
he made ~ President Peter White ~ IN
seu,i-centennisl celebration committee
( Gov Warner Vice President Fairhank'
and n number ~ tire other prominent
/ guests