October 9, 2024 - Welland Canal - Wednesday

October 9, 2024 - Wednesday 

Welland Canal, Ontario 

We overnighted at Port Colborne. Back-0n-Board time was 5:00 a.m. this morning. We were due to cast off about 5:30 am and be at Lock 8 (the first lock at this end of the Canal) about 6:00 am. Since we are usually up around 5:00, we didn’t think it would be a problem to see the sail away and the first lock. (Of course, this will all be in the dark.) In the meantime, it’s laundry day. 

We are outside on the bow (just a few steps from our room) when we sail under the Lift Bridge which is just before Lock 8. Later in the day we learned that Lock 8 is a “control” lock. It is there just to adjust for the current difference in levels between Lake Erie and the Welland Canal.

The Lift Bridge is open and ready for us to head Lock 8

Our Bridge just beneath the Lift Bridge

Lock 8 is open and ready for us to sail north

A very pleasant park adjacent to the Lock

Laundry is done before we head to breakfast. We are back on the bow when we enter Lock 7. Locks 1 through 7 are true “lifting” locks. Each one raises or lowers an average of 47’. Locks 7,3,2,1 [the direction we are traveling] are all one-way locks. Locks 6,5,4 are 2 sets of locks side by side so can handle two ships at once. Locks 6, 5, and 4 are also back-to-back. For us, 6 drops into 5 which drops into 4 with no open stretches between.

Just about time for the water to be released

We're dropping

Watching our shadow creep down the wall of the Lock

We are where we need to be, let's sail on

Ready to go

The wall of the Lock just a couple of inches from our window

We're in Lock 6, ahead is Lock 5, beyond that is Lock 4

Moving from Lock 6 into Lock 5

One more to go

Locks 6,5 and 4 accomplish moving a ship over the Niagara Escarpment. The total difference between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario is 327 feet. Through the Welland Canal, that dramatic change is made in 27 miles and 8 locks. This iteration of the Canal is the 4^th iteration. It was opened in 1932, with final dredging being completed in 1935. The width of the Canal is 80’. Our ship is just over 77’. Looking out our window when we were in the locks, it looked like the wall was no more than a few inches away. 

There are numerous bridges across the Canal. Some are Lift Bridges, some are Draw Bridges, there are railroad bridges and very tall highway bridges. The Welland Canal is fully automated. It is run by a not-for-profit Canadian company that sets the fees once per year. Currently it is based on a ship’s tonnage. The cost for the Viking Octantis to transit the Welland Canal today is $18,000 Canadian. That covers all 8 locks, and the pilot that must be aboard for the transit. 

About 3:30 in the afternoon, we sail into Lake Ontario. Across the Lake, we can see the skyline of Toronto. It is a city of at least 6 million people. The Lake is a bit choppy this afternoon with a very brisk breeze.

 

We arrive at the dock in Toronto with a beautiful view of the City. Most of the ship will be disembarking in the morning. All luggage is supposed to be in the hall by 10:00 pm. We are very glad we are not getting off tomorrow.