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Canso Causeway
1995
Canso Causeway

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ORIGINAL PARTNERS - The Canso Causeway and Canal were constructed between 1952 and 1955 under a tri-party agreement between the federal Department of Transport, Nova Scotia Department of Highways and the Canadian National Railway. Funding was provided by the Department of Transport under this agreement to provide a fixed link between mainland Nova Scotia and Cape Breton Island to replace a marine automobile ferry between Mulgrave and Port Hawkesbury and a train ferry between Mulgrave and Point Tupper.
The Canso Canal was constructed as a component of the Canso Causeway to allow uninterrupted passage of marine traffic through the Strait of Canso in compliance with the legal requirements of the federal Navigable Waters Protection Act. A swing bridge was constructed to allow causeway rail and road traffic across the canal.

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Scotia II train ferry leaving the Strait of Canso after the completion of the Canso Causeway in 1955
1955
Canso Canal, Strait of Canso, Canada

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ROLE OF CANSO CANAL - The purpose of the Canso Canal is to provide passage for vessels through the Strait of Canso to and from Chedabucto Bay and to and from St. George's Bay. The reason for the Canso Canal is simply to check the tide. After the Canso Causeway was built, it diverted an enormous volume of water with an extraordinary strong tide through the 24.4 meters (80 feet) wide opening of the Lock. If this was not checked, it would be impossible for ships to pass through. Water levels on each side of the Causeway vary. Another function of the Lock is as a leveler of this water.

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Ship passing through Canso Canal
1960
Canso Canal Bridge

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Royal Yacht Brittania in Canso Canal with Queen Mother
July, 1967
Canso Canal

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CANSO CANAL LOG JULY 15,1967
Re Royal Yacht Britannia

"8:43 a.m. – Due at lock at 11:00 a.m. – how long will Royal yacht be in lock? Brittannia is due to tie up at lock at 11:00
– suggest you reduce speed and arrange to arrive at Lock after Royal Yacht has cleared
9:00 a.m. – Royal Yacht Brittannia and her escort will be proceeding through Canso Lock between the hours of 10:00 and 12:00 ADT – during their passage through the Lock all other traffic must be restricted (messages repeated)
10:04 a.m. – Royal Yacht Brittannia due in lock
11:00 a.m. – Sonny (Chiavari) will have to restrict all other shipping until Royal Yacht is clear. Suggest you reduce speed in order to arrive at lock after passage of Royal Yacht"

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Ship passing through Canso Canal
16 January 1980
Canso Canal

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CANAL DIMENSIONS - The Lock is 243.8 meters (800 feet) long (between the gates) and 24.4 meters (80 feet) wide. It is capable of passing a ship 224 meters (735 feet) in length and having a draft not exceeding 8.5 meters (28 feet). When tidal conditions are favorable, vessels with draft greater than 8.5 meters (28 feet) but not exceeding 9.1 meters (30 feet) can be passed through the Lock at the discretion of the Lockmaster.

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HMCS Okanagan submarine passing through Canso Canal
18 June 1981
Canso Canal

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Tall Ship Gedania reception by Port Hastings Historical Society
14 June 1984
Canso Canal

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TALL SHIP PARADE - The Port Hastings Historical Society planned a reception and presentation for the first non North American vessel to arrive at the Canso Canal on June 14th,1984 as part of the first Tall Ship Parade of Sail sponsored in Nova Scotia. The Gedania from the Gdansk Shipyards in Poland was the first of the Class B and Class C ships to pass through the Canso Canal.The Class A weren't able to pass through because of the height of their masts and getting caught in the power lines.The ships were on their way to Quebec City for the 450th Anniversary of Jacques Cartier's first voyage to North America.
Inverness County Councillor, Ed MacDonald, Mulgrave Mayor, Allison England and Port Hawkesbury Councillor, Eric Winsor made presentations on behalf of their respective communities and Rilla McLean on behalf of the Port Hastings Historical Society.

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The ice which the Canso Causeway stopped and the Canso Canal on the right.
1990
Strait of Canso, Nova Scotia, Canada

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ICE CONDITIONS - During an average 288 day navigation season, the Canso Canal is open 24 hours daily. Ice conditions north of the lock and canal cause it to cease operations the remaining days of the year.
ICE BREAKERS
Ice breakers used to be brought in to break the ice up on the north side of the Strait of Canso in the early spring to speed up the process of clearing the north side of the Strait of ice. These are not available anymore.