LAUDS MEN WHO ADVOCATED THE WELLAND CANAL

LATE THOMAS CONLON, THOROLD, S.W. SECORD, ST. KITTS ARE REFERRED TO

DE WITT CARTER OF PORT COLBORNE LEADER IN PROMOTING CAUSE.

(By John B. Hannah in The Mail and Empire)

[The Welland-Port Colborne Evening Tribune, 15 October 1931]

The arrival in Toronto recently of large upper lake passenger and freight steamers, by reason of the completion of the Welland Ship Canal, emphasizes the importance of that great engineering enterprise to Canadian commerce. It does more than that, for it brings to the fore again the advantages that would accrue from the deepening of the St. Lawrence route, including its series of canals, furnishing an adequate waterway to the sea. The improved navigation thus provided also recalls to those who have watched the progress made through the years in the construction of the Welland waterway, the excellent work done by a handful of men residing in towns situated along the Niagara frontier in laping upon the public mind, and upon the government of the day, the fact that the Welland Canal then in use was no longer adequate to meet the demands of shipping interests, and that the need was urgent for the building of a new and larger waterway between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.

The Pioneers

Among the pioneers in the movement, if so they may be called, were the late Thomas Conlon of Thorold, the late S.W. Secord of St. Catharines and D.W. Carter of Port Colborne, who, with the active co-operation of a few others, lost no available opportunity to promote the cause they had so much at heart. Enlisting the assistance of Boards of Trade, Municipal Councils, and any group of responsible citizens that could bring any influence to bear, they continued their work in season and out of season. Federal and provincial election campaigns were always occasions for special effort. From the public platforms and through the press they pressed for the realization of their objective, until finally they heard from Ottawa that the Government of the day had decided that the Welland Ship Canal should be undertaken. Meanwhile, two of its most energetic proponents, Messrs. Secord and Conlon, had passed from the scene of action. And, by the way, Mr. Secord came of the historical Niagara peninsula family which gave to Canada the heroine, Laura Secord. He was directly related to the late Thomas R. Secord, once Deputy Superintendent of the Welland Canal, resident at Port Colborne.

It can be imagined quite readily that no one man was quite so keenly interested in the opening of  navigation between Lakes Erie and Ontario in 1931 as D.W. Carter of Port Colborne. Despite his somewhat advanced years he had first advocated with great ability the building of the canal; then he had watched with interest this construction proceed step by step, until eventually it was completed. Then came the long hoped for event, the formal opening of navigation, which was carried out without ceremony. Sufficient was it to quietly rejoice that Canada had provided a way by which larger ships that play on the Upper Lakes might reach Lake Ontario. Mr. Carter has all his life been identified with marine enterprises. Tradition has it that he probably inherited his interest in water transportation, as his father, the late Charles H. Carter, was for many years harbor master at Port Colborne, and had, prior to assuming that office, always been identified with lake and canal shipping.

Debt Owed the Carter Brothers

To Charles H. Carter and his brothers, William and L.G., who were engaged in mercantile pursuits in the village of Port Colborne, their home town owes a great deal in a business and educational way. The three Carter brothers, the Steeles, the Armstrongs, the Matthews, the Gibbons, and the Greenwoods and a few others gave necessary leadership to all worthy enterprises in the early days of the then struggling Lake Erie village. To them Port Colborne owes the foundation of her mercantile and transportation enterprises, and as well her schools and churches, for they ever took a deep interest in educational and religious affairs. These pioneers have passed on, and in some cases the second generation has followed them to their long home. One of the very few survivors of the second generation of these pioneers is D.W. Carter. He has seen at least two canals constructed through the heart of Port Colborne, dividing its main business thoroughfare, and had much to do with the operation of the waterway which each of these in its turn replaced. His also was the privilege of witnessing the development of his native town industrially by the establishment there of large industries, such as the Maple Leaf Mills, the International Nickel and the cement plants. He has also watched park areas give way to industry and the transformation of old Steele’s grove into Solid Comfort, the magnificent summer home on the shores of Lake Erie of many important families from the southern states.

Proud of His Work

With his brother, the late Capt. Sperry Carter, D.W. Carter was long associated in the operation of a lucrative wrecking business. He also for many years was the dominant figure in the Tug Association, which contributed largely to the prosperity of the owners of tugs used in canaling, who accepted the direction of the association. The present prosperity of Port Colborne, and its business, educational and church life, bears the impress of a few personalities, of whom none has been a greater factor than D.W. Carter, who still, despite the fact that he some time ago passed man’s allotted span, devotes himself energetically to Port Colborne’s weal. He should feel especial pride in the work he did in promoting the Welland Ship Canal.