This week, the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library tells us about the Assiniboia, a disaster at the canal and those who enjoyed the ride on June 9, 1909.
It was a typical day at the lock with many boats and ships locking up and down the river.
The steamer the Assiniboia was already located in the lock while the steamer the Crescent City was slowly moving into place behind it, with both vessels preparing to lock down bound.
Meanwhile, the Perry G. Walker was heading upriver and approached the lock much too quickly ramming the lower south gate of the Canadian Locks and causing the lower north gate to collapse.
The water already in the lock rushed out pushing the Perry Walker back into the channel and across the river.
The ships, the Assinibola and the Crescent City, already in the Lock were forced out of the lock and into the channel, at an estimated 60 kilometers per hour.
As the Assiniboia was propelled out of the lock, it hit the hanging lock gate, breaking it in two and then struck the Perry G. Walker before being pushed into the channel.
Some of the nearly 100 passengers on the Assiniboia actually thought that this was a normal part of locking through and simply “enjoyed the ride.”
The Crescent City was also pushed out of the lock, hitting the Assiniboia and accelerating past it into the channel.
Fortunately there were no fatalities or serious injuries.
Each of the three ships was towed to Sault Ste. Marie Michigan for repairs.
The Assiniboia was repaired and underway later that same day, the Perry Walker three days later and the Crescent City, which had sunk while waiting for repairs was raised and repaired within a week.
The emergency swing-dam bridge had been immediately moved into place allowing the lock to be cleared of water and repairs to commence. Without the swing dam this incident could have been far worse.
The lock itself was repaired and back in service within 12 days since it was considered to a vital link and was the preferred lock to use in moving ships between Lakes Superior and Huron.
When water levels on Lake Huron dropped significantly a number of years ago, what many believe to be one of the damaged lock gates was found on a sand bar near the bridge in Echo Bay however this was never positively confirmed and so it continues to remain a mystery!
Find out more of what the Public Library has to offer at www.ssmpl.ca and look for more Remember This? columns here.
