Welland Canal Accidents

Introduction

Locomotive being lifted from the Welland Canal, 1911

Landslide while excavating for the canal, 1928.

The Welland Canal has been a part of the Niagara landscape for close to 200 years.   Construction on the first Welland Canal began in 1824 and was opened to seaway traffic in 1829.   Since then there have been many modifications to the canal.  The current canal, also known as the Welland Ship Canal, was constructed between 1913 and 1932.  It was a massive construction project and an engineering marvel. 

Damage to a ship after a collision with a Welland Canal bridge, 1938

Welland Canal lift bridge after a collision with a ship, 1974

Yet there have been a multitude of accidents and tragedies that surround the construction and operation of the canal.  Some of the more common incidents include collisions between ships and bridges, train derailments, and construction accidents.