Even by 1860 when this photograph was taken, sailing ships still dominated the harbour. Montreal remained a spring and summer port since the St. Lawrence River froze in winter. Obviously, Montreal had to find a link with a year-round seaport if it was to compete successfully with New York as a transshipment point. This link was made later to Portland, Maine by the new transportation technology of the railway.
Courtesy: Notman Photographic Archives. McCord Museum
