After the war of 1812, the British government decided that transportation facilities in the Canadas had to be improved in case of future military activity in the area. At the same time, merchants were demanding better facilities for trade. These two interests combined to initiate the construction of the early canals in the St. Lawrence system. The Lachine Canal bypassed the Lachine rapids just upriver from Montreal. In 1829, the Welland Canal, pictured here, put an end to the long portage around Niagara Falls between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. Thirty-five locks were built to overcome the 310 foot drop in the Niagara River. Navigation was now possible from Detroit to Montreal although, until after 1840, when the section between Montreal and Prescott was improved with more canals, the size of vessels was limited.
