162 Account of the Wetland Canal. 



and twenty two feet width in the pool, calculated to pass ves- 

 sels of one hundred and twenty five tons burden. 



From this to lake Ontario, a distance of five miles, the Ca- 

 nal continues most of the way in the bed of the main branch 

 of the twelve mile creek ; there are three locks in this space 

 (including the one at the harbour,) thirty two feet wide and 

 one hundred and twenty five feet long, for the purpose of 

 admitting steam boats from lake Ontario. A large and com- 

 modious harbor is constructed at this place, by throwing an 

 embankment seventeen chains long, between two high ridges 

 and raising the water five feet, which covers an area of three 

 hundred acres, capable of containing all the vessels or lum- 

 ber which may be required for ages to come — the entrance 

 is protected by two piers extending into the lake, one two 

 hundred, the other three hundred and fifty yards. 



This Canal is made by a company, incorporated by an act 

 of the Provincial Parliament of Upper Canada, with a capi- 

 tal of eight hundred thousand dollars. The legislature of 

 Upper Canada have authorized a subscription of two hun- 

 dred thousand dollars, and have lent the company one hun- 

 dred thousand dollars — and the government of Lower Cana- 

 da has subscribed one hundred thousand dollars ; the remain- 

 der is owned by individuals. The British government has 

 likewise given one ninth of the amount of its cost, on condi- 

 tion that their stores pass free of toll, besides a donation of 

 thirteen thousand acres of crown lands between the Grand 

 and Welland rivers, through which the Canal passes. 



That part of the line from the river Welland to Ontario is 

 nearly finished, excepting the residue of the deep cut, which, 

 although it is rather less than one fourth of the whole amount 

 originally to be excavated, is still an arduous work. There 

 has been expended, including the purchase of land, mills, 

 machinery, &c. about seven hundred thousand dollars, and 

 it is supposed it will require the full amount of capital to fin- 

 ish it, exclusive of the loan from government. 



Its general dimensions are eight feet depth of water, and 

 twenty six feet width at bottom, with a slope of two to one, 

 which gives a surface of water of fifty eight feet. 



The company's affairs are managed by a board of direc- 

 tors, elected annually, consisting of a President, Vice Presi- 

 dent, and five Directors, which situations are now filled by 

 the undermentioned gentlemen : 



The Hon. John Henry Dunn, Receiver General of the Pro- 

 vince, President. 



