Lock # 3

Soulanges Canal -1900

 

Range light at Pointe des Cascades

 

The Dept. of railways and Canals of Canada Awarded the range light construction and installation contract on March 27, 1900 to Farand et Delorme of Montreal.

 

The civil engineer in charge of the canal Thomas Monro reported on the September 12 1900 that "the fixed red light is working well" and that "it clearly indicates the course to follow".

 

In 1903, the gas-operated "Range light" was converted to electricity using a 16 candle-power lamp.

 

Soulange Canal Range Lights

 

Installed in pairs at each end of the canal. The "Port Entrance Lights" allowed the mariner to find the correct approach by staying on course with the two superimposed lights.

 

Thus, ships using the upper lake Saint Louis channel, between Ile Perrot and Ile Cascades, had to veer towards the canal entrance at the intersection marked by these "Range lights".

 

From 1940-1950, over 5000 ships the Soulanges Canal every year.

 

Societe de Recherches Historiques Pointe des Cascades

 

Sept. 8, 2002

Done