572, TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION G. 
In 1844 the largest vessels navigating the St. Lawrence to Montreal 
were of 500 tons; now the Virginian and Victorian of the Allan Line 
(12,000 tons), and the Laurentic and Megantic of the White Star Line 
(15,000 tons), proceed to that port, and have made the passage from 
Quebec in less than ten hours. Ordinarily this passage occupies from eleven 
to twelve hours, the return passage being made in nine to ten hours. 
In the execution of these great works a specially designed dredging 
plant, including several types, has been employed, and works about seven 
months in the year; and the rock dredging and blasting in the section 
below Quebec has involved great difficulty. The total amount of rock to 
be removed amounted to 1,700,000 cubic yards, extending over nearly three 
miles, and the whole bottom was covered with huge boulders, some of which 
were 30 to 40 tons in weight. These great masses had to be lifted before 
blasting and dredging was done. During the fiscal year 1907-8 the expendi- 
ture on dredging plant and dredging was nearly 132,000/., and 4,832,000 
cubic yards of material were removed. At the close of that year 56 millions 
of cubic yards out. of the estimated total of 70 millions had been dredged ; 
the length completed to 30 feet minimum depth was 59 miles out of 70 miles. 
These facts indicate the advanced condition of the undertaking and the 
prospect of its completion at an early date. 
In order to secure the safe and continuous navigation of this channel 
by night as well as by day, under all conditions of weather, during the 
season when the river is open, every precaution and aid which engineering 
skill and invention can provide has been laid under contribution. A 
marine signal service, with telephonic equipment has been provided ; sub- 
marine bells have been established for use in foggy weather; a complete 
system of buoys and lighting has been installed; the channel is periodi- 
cally examined and swept to ensure that there are no obstructions; the 
question of prolongation of the season for navigation by the use of ice- 
breakers is being studied. The harbour of Montreal has been greatly 
improved in accommodation and equipment; and the aggregate tonnage as 
well as the average size of sea-going vessels using the port have been much 
increased. In 1898, 868 such vessels aggregating 1,584,000 tons arrived at 
Montreal ; in 1907, 742 vessels aggregating 1,926,000 tons arrived. Of the 
latter, 522 vessels aggregating 1,525,000 tons were British. At the St. 
Charles Docks and Wharves, Quebec, in the season of 1907, 235 vessels of 
1,009,000 tons were entered inwards, and 67 vessels of 249,000 tons outwards, 
the first outward steamer leaving on April 7, and the first ocean steamer 
arriving on April 26. The last arrival from the sea was on December 9, 
and the ice formed in the tidal basin on December 12. 
Still further improvements of the St. Lawrence navigation are now 
proposed, and the work was commenced in 1907. It is intended to increase 
the depth of the channel to a minimum of 35 feet from the sea to Montreal, 
and the Superintending Engineer reported in 1908 that with certain 
moderate additions to the dredging and steam plant this work could be 
completed in six seasons. The widths and curves of the existing channel 
will not require any important changes, as they were designed from the 
first for the largest classes of steamships. When this increased depth has 
been obtained Montreal as a port will have an approach channel compar- 
ing favourably with that of other ports available for Transatlantic traffic. 
At Southampton the existing depth at low water in the approach channel 
is about 32 feet, and it is proposed to obtain 34 feet. At Liverpool the mini- 
mum depth at low water over the bar and in the approach channel in the 
Mersey is about 28 feet. The Ambrose Channel leading to New York is to 
have 40 feet depth at low water when the works are completed. Ample depth 
of water is of the first importance in the economical working of the largest 
and swiftest ships, and the Canadian Government has been well-advised in 
deciding to carry out the great scheme above described. 
