Photostory #441: Heart-pacer of Central North America: St. Lawrence Seaway Spurs National Development

Photographers
John Reeves
Maker
National Film Board of Canada
Release Date
April 25, 1967
Collection
CMCP fonds
Credit Line
Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography fonds, National Gallery of Canada Library and Archives
Main Text
Firmly established as one of the seven wonders of the modern maritime world is the bustling St. Lawrence Seaway-a long inland waterway that allows ocean-going ships to enter 2,300 miles into the heart of the world's most industrialized region. Since first coming into operation in 1959, this mighty artery of world trade has grown ever more vigorous. Tonnages carried along the length of the Seaway have soared well over double in volume, the average size of the vessels themselves has jumped about 70 per cent and through technical innovations traffic congestion has been substantially reduced. Along this amazing trade route of smooth waters go the riches of a wealthy continent and an array of goods from the far corners of the globe. Iron ore, grain, timber, coal, automobiles, machinery and the many other commodities and manufactured necessities of a busy world flow in ever-increasing quantities up and down the outflow waters of the Great Lakes system. For Canada, this surpassing of even the most optimistic expectations of Seaway growth and capacity is invaluable. Enormous shipments of grain downbound to fill unprecedented overseas orders, thriving inland commerce in iron ore and coal upbound, plus the many other facets of domestic and international trade speeded up by the dependable channels of this scenic corridor of business, has strengthened the national economy to a tremendous degree. The St. Lawrence Seaway, prospering under the irresistible force of expanding global trade is an unfolding example of the bold development required for meeting the needs of a lusty nation.