Welland Canal
Projected as a result of the War of 1812. A commission
was appointed in 1816 to report on a canal between Lakes Erie and
Ontario. The matter dragged along for several years, until at last,
through the energy and enthusiasm of William Hamilton Merritt, a company
was incorporated, and work actually commenced, in 1824. Five years
later, the first vessels passed through from Ontario to Erie. In 1841
work was commenced on t
e enlargement of the canal, and completed in
1850. Between 1873 and 1883, the canal was deepened to 12 feet; and in
1887 to 14 feet. In the meantime, the work had been taken over by the
government, and become part of the system of Dominion canals. =Index=:
(William Lyon Mackenzie era) Mackenzie's committee to inquire into, 264; Mackenzie a director
of, 265; Francis Hincks on, 265; transactions of officials, 266, 267;
report of committee, 268. (Baldwin / La Fontaine / Hincks era) Bought by government from private
company, 1841, 98; completion of improvements, 337. See also Canals.