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.