.Pictured on the 8¢ Pan-American commemorative, the canal locks at Sault Ste. Marie which opened the inland water route between Lake Superior and Lake Huron. Raw iron could then be transported to steel mills around the Great Lakes, thus making possible much of middle America’s industrial growth.
The Sault Ste. Marie canal and locks were completed in 1895, allowing vessels to bypass perilous rapids and ensuring that commerce from “America’s Breadbasket” reached Eastern markets. At the time, the locks were the largest in the world and the first to be operated electrically. As the U.S. and Canada had cooperated on the project, the subject choice was a gesture of goodwill to our nation’s closest neighbor and ally.
The stamp shows four vessels in the Sault Sainte Marie canal locks, of which only the most right one in front is identified as the CARRINGTON. Only the stern section is visible.
The larger vessel on the left is a three funnel passenger ship could it be the NORTH WEST built in 1894 for the Northern Steamship Company???
CARRINGTON: Was built under yard No 26 as a barge by the Chicago Ship Building Co, Chicago IL for C.W. Elphicke and others in Chicago.
20 March 1897 launched as the CARRINGTON, named after Mr. Carrington of the grain firm of Carrington, Hannah & Co in Chicago and one of the shareholders in the ship.
Tonnage 3,181 grt, 2,861 net, dim. 352.0 (bpp) x 44.2 x 21.8ft.
1897 Completed, homeport Chicago.
The barge will be towed by the GEORGE N. ORR. CARRINGTON is under command of Captain Geo. Trotter.
1900 Sold to Pittsburgh Steamship Co at Duluth MN.
1924 Sold to Detroit Sulphite Transportation Co., Detroit Michigan
1927 Renamed in CORDOVA.
1939 Sold to Driftwood Lands & Timber Ltd., Sault Ste. Marie Ontario, renamed DELKOTE.
Under Canadian flag and registry.
Sold 1955 to Hindman Transportation Co, Ownen Sound, Ontario, not renamed.
14 June 1969 she passed down, Port Colborne under tow by the tugs SALVAGE MONARCH and G W ROGGERS for the scrapyard in Rameys Bend, Welland Canal. She was bought by the Marine Salvage Ltd. for scrapping.
USA 1901 8c sg304, scott298 (the vessel on the first stamp image is the CITY OF ALPENA sg 300)
Source:
http://greatlakes.bgsu.edu/vessel/view/001099 Log Book.
http://www.mysticstamp.com/viewProducts.asp?sku=298
