Wow, today's the day. Last day in the Canadian heritage canal and lock system--we'll exit the final lock later today and then have a short run down the River Richelieu to the USA. Left the dock at St. Marc Sur Richelieu at 8:44am with cloudy but dry weather; around 50 degrees F. We average 6.4 knots, 2,200 rpm.
We arrived at Fort Chambly around 11:30am. After tying up at the blueline wall on the north side of the lock, we checked in with the lock operator. With the reduced fall season operating hours we had only about 40 minutes before we would have to enter the lock so our passage thru the complete Chambly lock system could be completed today. Normally this would be a good thing, however, we wanted to stop and tour the fort but we didn't have enough time. Schucks.
The Chambly Canal, which has been used for navigation since 1843, played a primary role in the forestry products industry in Quebec, and in the export of lumber to the US. Building for the canal began in 1831; work was halted several times; due to funding problems, the rebellion of the Patriots, and a cholera epidemic. Twenty kms in length, the canal consists of nine locks, eight of which are operated manually, and several swing, slide and lift bridges. The stair locks are the only ones of their kind in Quebec.
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