June 26, 1959
Queen Elizabeth II and American president Dwight D. Eisenhower dedicated the new St. Lawrence Seaway. The dedication ceremony took place at St. Lambert, Quebec. President Eisenhower described the Seaway as a "magnificient symbol" of what two democratic nations could do "for the common good," reports the New York Times.
The Royal yacht, Britannia, with the British Soveriegn and the US president on board was given special precedence through the locks on the Seaway. The new St. Lawrence Seaway will allow large vessels to travel from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. This will be done through a series of canals and locks.
Unfortunately, the seaway has also permitted ocean species to infiltrate the Great Lakes, damaging the fresh water ecosystem. This was an unforeseen consequence of shipping progress!
ReplyDeleteAmong the guests at the celebratory luncheon on board Britannia was cousin Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovich who was living then, I believe, in a little apartment over Roy's Barber Shop in a small Canadian town--quite content and much enjoyed by her neighbors. Is there a photo of the occasion?
ReplyDeleteOoooops! I hope I wrote Alexandrovna....
ReplyDeleteThe luncheon was a private event so I doubt photos were released to the media.
ReplyDelete