Sault Ste. Marie in Algoma District, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
The Last Emergency Swing Dam in the World!
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Le dernier barrage tournant de secours au monde!
cmh2315fl via Flickr (CC BY-NC 2.0), August 4, 2011
1. The Last Emergency Swing Dam in the World! / Le dernier barrage tournant de secours au monde! Marker
In a 1909 emergency, this dam was swung across the canal. One at a time, 23 wickets (frames) and shutters (panels) were lowered into place. Each shutter slid into its wicket, similar to a window sliding in a window frame. The barrier (or dam) formed by the wickets and shutters slowed the raging torrent to a slow trickle.
The Emergency Swing Dam is built entirely of steel and is 113 metres (372 feet) long. That's as long as 10 school buses parked bumper to bumper!
So, what was the emergency? Come to the visitor centre and find out.
[Francais] Vous vous trouvez à côté du dernier barrage tournant de secours au monde. Des neuf structures de ce genre qui ont été construites, celle-ci est la seule à avoir fait ses preuves dans une véritable situation d'urgence.
En effet, en 1909, il s'est produit un incident qui a forcé l'activation du barrage. Une par une, les 23 vannelles (cadres) et hausses (panneaux) ont été abaissées, chaque hausse
this page online
Le barrage tournant de secours est entièrement fait d'acier et mesure 113 mètres (372 pieds) de longueur, l'équivalent de 10 autobus scolaires!
Savez-vous quelle situation d'urgence a nécessité l’utilisation du barrage tournant? Rendez-vous au centre d'accueil pour le découvrir.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Man-Made Features • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1909.
Location. 46° 30.795′ N, 84° 21.416′ W. Marker is in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, in Algoma District. It is on Canal Drive 1.1 kilometers west of Huron Street, on the left when traveling west. Marker is in Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sault Ste Marie ON P6A P6A, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma Area and in Northern Ontario. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America,
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: What a Rush! / Urgence! (a few steps from this marker); The Dam in Action! / Le barrage à l'œuvre! (a few steps from this marker); Why Preserve This Big Hunk of Steel? / Pourquoi préserver cette énorme structure d'acier? (within shouting distance of this marker); Emergency Swing Bridge Dam / Barrage tournant de secours (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); The "Chicora" Incident (about 180 meters away); Canadian Veterans Memorial (about 180 meters away); CPR Passenger Ships in the Lock / Paquebots de la CFCP dans l'écluse (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); 1622 (approx. 0.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sault Ste. Marie.
Also see . . . The Sault Canal Accident of 1909. The accident,
Don Harrison (reproduced from original) (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
3. The 1909 accident
The Emergency Swing Dam (background slowed the surging water to a trickle, allowing repairs to be made to the locks.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 24, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 23, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 314 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 23, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
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