ISLE DUBE, QUEBEC TO OTTAWA, ONTARIO

Saturday, June 27th, 2015

Day 327

Miles Traveled: 31

Total Miles Traveled: 4881

  We had a very peaceful night at the anchorage.  Our final destination for the day was Ottawa, Ontario.  We wanted to try and arrive as early as possible, so, we left about 6:00 am and headed up the Ottawa River.  The morning view as we left the anchorage was very beautiful.

leaving Isle Dube anchorage on Ottawa River

  We passed by several cable ferries taking people from towns in Quebec to towns in Ottawa across the river.  There was one ferry service that was difficult to navigate around.  Between Cumberland, Ontario and Masson, Quebec, there are five cable ferries that run all at the same time.  You have to time your crossing between them just right so as not to run over them, their cables; or, get run over yourself.

Two of the five ferries running back and forth at the same location across the Ottawa River 

  As we approached Ottawa, we saw the Rideau Falls.  Rideau means curtain in French.  A local told us that the Rideau River got its name because its falls looked like curtains.

Rideau Falls near Ottawa

approaching Ottawa, Ontario

  At Ottawa, our journey on the Ottawa River came to an end and we began our travels on the Rideau Canal.  This canal, stretching about 126 nautical miles (155 statute miles), connects Ottawa on the Ottawa River with Kingston on Lake Ontario.  The British, who feared that during a war with the United States they would not be able to ship supplies or reinforcements to or from Kingston to Quebec (which is on the Ottawa River), built the canal to remedy this problem.  The Rideau Canal began in 1827 and was finished in 1832.  Although the canal was never needed by the military, it still was an immediate economic success being used by the commercial shipping industry.  Like many other canals, its use declined when the railroads came into operation.  Currently, this canal is part of the Canadian Heritage Canals and used by pleasure boaters. 

  There are 44 locks that will have to be traversed to complete the Rideau Canal.  The first eight locks are right in downtown Ottawa, Ontario.  They are called the Ottawa Staircase Locks and lift the boat 79 feet.  The locks are literally one right after the other.  As you leave one, you immediately enter the next one.

Ottawa Staircase Locks - Rideau Canal Locks 1-8 - looking up from the bottom

  These locks were quite challenging.  Upon entering each lock, there was a lot of turbulence from water spilling over from the next one.  We had to get a bow (front) and stern (back) line around a cable hanging down along the wall.  There were four other boats locking through along with us, so, we had to be in just the right location for us all to fit.  And, to top it all off, there were a lot of spectators watching "the show".

water spilling over lock gate from upper chamber into lower chamber

crowd of spectators watching and learning about the locking process

  Our reward for getting to the top was being able to tie off along a wall in downtown Ottawa.  Unfortunately, after all our hard work, when we arrived at the top, all of the spots along the wall with power were taken.  Since, the generator was not working, we had hoped to be able to get a spot with power to help keep the batteries charged.  We decided to go ahead and tie up without power and just run the engine if needed to charge the batteries.

Ottawa Staircase Locks - Rideau Canal Locks 1-8 - looking down the locks

boats docked at wall above Lock 8 in downtown Ottawa, Ontario
look closely - Seahorse is the last boat way in the back

  Not sure if we would be staying another day (without power), we took a walk around the city to see some of the sites.  Ottawa is the capitol of Canada.  The impressive Parliament Building is located right downtown.  Off to its right and left are the East and West buildings that house offices.

Parliament Building

Parliament East Building offices

Parliament West Building offices

  Right across the street is the National War Memorial Moment, a tribute to the unknown soldier.  There are military guards stationed at the monument during the day.  We missed the "changing of the guard", but did get to see them marching away with a bagpiper playing.

National War Memorial Monument

  We then went to Byward Market.  It is like a "farmers market" that is open every day.  Most of the vendors where closed by the time we arrived.  Along the streets are many cafes and restaurants.  We picked one out and had some dinner.  Tired from the day, we went to bed early hoping that the next day a boat would leave so we could dock at a spot with power.