Sault Ste. Marie Canal Company

The Sault Ste. Marie Canal Company was a private enterprise established in the mid-19th century to construct and operate a canal and locks system at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Its purpose was to facilitate navigation between Lake Superior and Lake Huron by bypassing the St. Marys River rapids. The canal played a critical role in the development of commerce and transportation in the Great Lakes region, enabling the movement of bulk goods such as iron ore, coal, and grain from the western Great Lakes to ports along the St. Lawrence Seaway.

Historical Background

The Need for a Canal  The St. Marys Rapids, located on the St. Marys River between Lake Superior and Lake Huron, made navigation impossible for large vessels. Ships had to unload cargo, which was then transported overland past the rapids. The growing demand for efficient transportation of raw materials, particularly iron ore from Minnesota’s Mesabi Range, made the construction of a canal essential.

Founding of the Company The Sault Ste. Marie Canal Company was founded in the 1850s to undertake this ambitious project. Funded through a combination of private investments and support from the State of Michigan, the company acquired the necessary land and began construction.

Construction and Operation

The first canal and locks at Sault Ste. Marie were completed in 1855 under the direction of the company.

Features:  Built of wood and stone, the locks allowed vessels to bypass the rapids and safely travel between the lakes.The canal spanned 1.6 kilometres (1 mile) and had a single lock capable of accommodating the largest vessels of the era.

Operation

The canal became an immediate success, facilitating the transportation of bulk cargoes such as:

• Iron Ore: From Minnesota’s iron ranges to steel mills in Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
• Grain: Shipped from Midwestern farms to markets via the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.
• Timber: Processed lumber from northern forests transported to urban centers.

The company charged tolls for the use of the locks, generating revenue for maintenance and further expansion.

Challenges and Transition

Infrastructure and Capacity Issues As shipping on the Great Lakes expanded in the late 19th century, the original canal and locks struggled to accommodate larger vessels. Advances in shipbuilding, particularly the introduction of steel-hulled lake freighters, required locks of greater size and durability.

Government Acquisition

 In 1881, the canal and locks were acquired by the United States government, which undertook a major expansion project. This transition marked the end of the Sault Ste. Marie Canal Company as a private enterprise. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built larger, more modern locks, beginning with the Weitzel Lock in 1881, and continuing with additional locks over the next century.

Economic Growth The canal was a major catalyst for economic development in the Great Lakes region, facilitating the movement of raw materials that powered the Industrial Revolution in North America.

Engineering Achievement As one of the earliest major canal projects on the Great Lakes, it set a precedent for future infrastructure projects like the Welland Canal and the St. Lawrence Seaway.

Legacy The original canal and locks were a stepping stone to the modern Soo Locks, which remain a critical link in Great Lakes navigation. The canal’s success demonstrated the importance of connecting inland waterways for trade and transportation.

Further Research and Resources

• Soo Locks Visitor Center Offers historical information and exhibits on the original canal and the current lock system. https://www.soolocks.com
• National Museum of the Great LakesProvides insights into the history of shipping and infrastructure on the Great Lake https://nmgl.org
• Library of Congress Historical maps and documentation related to the original Sault Ste. Marie Canal.
• Maritime History of the Great Lakeshttp://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca  Details on vessels and cargoes that used the canal.

Conclusion

The Sault Ste. Marie Canal Company played a pivotal role in opening up the Great Lakes for large-scale commerce, laying the groundwork for modern navigation and trade in the region. Though it was short-lived as a private enterprise, its achievements endure through the continued operation of the Soo Locks, one of the most important transportation corridors in North America.