We departed Toronto this brisk morning under sunny skies and calm seas. Our route traveled was to Port Dalhousie, three hours and twenty six miles to the southern and western end of Lake Ontario.
Port Dalhousie was the gateway for mariners to travel from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie, having created a lock system going upstream with elevation changes the height to Niagara Falls.
This harbor town was the site for lock number one built by Irish immigrants back in the early 1800's and by 1870 saw more than 7,000 ships pass annually. With larger ships being used for commerce, the Welland Canal was created three miles to the east.
Tomorrow we will travel the Welland going through eight locks, most of which will be occupied with pleasure boats and freighters.