Perth in Lanark County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

The First Canal/ Le premier canal Tay

The Tay Canal / Le canal Tay

— 1834 —

The First Canal/ Le premier canal Tay Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 7, 2022

1. The First Canal/ Le premier canal Tay Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

William Morris, a fiery businessman and local politician, was the driving force behind the creation of the first Tay Canal. When the government refused petitions to construct the canal, the people of Perth, led b[y] Morris, decided to proceed themselves.

They formed the Tay Navigation Company in 1831, owned by Perth businessmen and Montreal backers. In early Upper Canada joint-stock ventures were unusual and risky. In addition the scale and speculative nature of canal building discouraged private investment. The company was beset with financial problems and charges of corruption. Despite all these odds, the townpeople persevered and the Tay Canal was completed in 1834.

[Illustration caption reads]
In 1824 at a public meeting chaired by William Morris, Member of the House of Assembly, the people of Perth spoke out for a "water communication" to Montréal via the Tay River.

[Map caption reads]
Five locks were built on the first Tay Canal, smaller than those on the Rideau but large enough to accommodate Durham boats or small steamers. All engineering works were made of coarse

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masonry and wood. Three of the locks were located at Port Elmsley at the entrance to the canal.

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William Morris, bouillant homme d'affaires engagé dans la politique locale, fut l'instigateur de l'aménagement du premier canal Tay. Quand le gouvernement refusa de tenir compte des pétitions déposées pour la construction du canal, la population de Perth. Morris en tête, décida d'agir par elle-même.

Elle constitua la Tay Navigation Company en 1831, qui appartenait à des hommes d'affaires de Perth et à des bailleurs de fonds montréalais. Dans le Haut-Canada qui venait de se constituer, une entreprise privée de ce genre était une aventure exceptionnelle et fort risquée. De plus, la constructiond'un canal était un projet dont l'envergure et le caractère aléatoire suffisaient à décourager l'investissement privé.

L'entreprise fut assaillie de difficultés financières et eut à répondre d'accusations de corruption. Malgré tous ces ennuis, les habitants [de ville?] persévérèrent et le canal Tay fut terminé en 1834.

[La légende de l'illustration indique]
En 1824, à une réunion publique présidée par William Morris, député à la Chambre d'Assemblée, la population de Perth demanda une "voie de communication fluviale" vers Montréal par la rivière Tay.

[La légende de la carte
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 7, 2022

2. The First Canal/ Le premier canal Tay Marker
On right side of marker kiosk, obscured
lit]
Cinq écluses furent aménagées sur le premier canal Tay, plus petetes que celle du canal Rideau, mais suffisamment grandes pour permettre aux barges ou aux petits vapeurs de passer. Tous les ouvrages du génie furent édifiés en maçonerie brute et en bois. Trois des écluses se trouvaient à Port Elmsley, à entrée du canal.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Man-Made Features • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1831.

Location. 44° 53.976′ N, 76° 14.885′ W. Marker is in Perth, Ontario, in Lanark County. Marker is at the intersection of Basin Street and Tay Street, on the right when traveling north on Basin Street. Marker kiosk is just south of the "Crystal Palace". Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Perth ON K7H 1E9, Canada. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Perth, A Unique Blend / Perth un mélange exceptionnel (here, next to this marker); By Barge and Bateau / Par barges et chalands (here, next to this marker); Tay Canal Revival / Renaissance du canal Tay (here, next to this marker); The Canal Evolves / l'Évolution du canal (here, next to this marker); Canal Fever / la Fièvre des canaux du Canada (here, next to this marker); Hub of Activity & Change

The First Canal/ Le premier canal Tay Marker Detail image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 7, 2022

3. The First Canal/ Le premier canal Tay Marker Detail

(here, next to this marker); Boats, Boats, Boats (here, next to this marker); Welcome to the Tay River Trail (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Perth.

Also see . . . Celebrating the Tay Canal (Watson). (Submitted on October 16, 2022, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 16, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 16, 2022, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 72 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 16, 2022, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.