As mentioned at the beginning of this article, four locks were required on the old military canal to accomplish what is now done by two.
The canal was opened in May, 1882, and has been a great success, the only drawback--although slight--being that in high water the current for about three-quarters of a mile above the upper pier, and at what was formerly the Chute a Biondeau, is rather strong. These difficulties can be easily overcome--the former by building an embankment from the pier to Brophy's Island, the latter by removing some of the natural dam of rock which once formed the "Chute."
The following are, in round numbers, the quantities of the principal materials used:
Earth and puddle in embankment ...cub. yds. 148,500
Rock excavation, " 38,000
Riprap, " 6,600
Lock masonry " 14,200
Rubble masonry, " 16,600
Timber in cribs, lock bottoms and gates " 368,000
Wrought and cast iron, lb ................. 173,000
Stone filling cu yds ...................... 45,300
Concrete " 830
The total cost to date has been about $570,000, not including surveys, engineering, etc.
The contractors for the canal, locks, etc., were Messrs. R. P. Cooke & Co., of Brockville, Ont., who have built some large works in the States, and who are now engaged building other extensive works for the Canadian Government. The work here reflects great credit on their skill.
On the enlarged Grenville Canal, now approaching completion, there are five locks, taking the place of the seven small ones built by the Imperial Government. It will be open for navigation all through in the spring of 1884, when steamers somewhat larger than the largest now navigating the St. Lawrence between Montreal and Hamilton can pass up to Ottawa City.--Engineering News.