Welland Canal memorial

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Lester Simmons was a construction boss on the Welland canal in 1928. He died when a cable snapped and wrapped around his chest in front of everyone present. He was hand signal the lowering of the lock into place.

Roy Nottingham’s brother was killed the following year, when he was drowned.

These are just 2 of 137 men killed over the 18 years it took to dig and construct the Welland canal.

The death toll was unbelievable, at one point 1 man was killed every 2 weeks. 10 men were killed in a single incident when they were crushed by a gate that fell on top of them at lock six.

They weren’t protected by the kind of health and safety regulations we have today.

When the Welland canal opened in 1932, the government promised to remember these workers sacrifices.

Today, the designs for a Welland canal workers memorial were unveiled in St. Catharines. Gates of remembrance and steel panels inscribed with the names of the fallen.

This memorial will cost $450 000, with the federal government kicking in $150 000.

The site of the memorial will be next to the lock three museum on the Welland canal in St. Catharines.