Navigating the Lower Saint Lawrence in the 19th Century.

ST. Mary's Current.

	Prior to the advent of steam in the early 19th century, the foot of St. Mary's Current ended the trip for all sailing vessels upbound in the St. Lawrence River. A team of oxen, varying between 10 and 16, depending on berthen, current and winds, were used to pull vessels ⁴ over the 1300 foot wide section of the St. Lawrence River between Ile Ronde and Hochelaga, now called Montreal ⁵. By 1824, steam tugs were being used to bring vessels through the strong St. Mary's current ⁶. With the developement of the Montreal Harbour in the 1830's and 40's, effectively narrowing the channel and gradually changing water flow patterns as each new pier emerged, currents of 3 or 4 knots were not unusual ⁷. However, with the demise of square riggers and commercial sailing vessels around the turn of the century, the importance of St. Mary's current gradually decreased, although it remains even today a force not to be ignored.

ST. Mary's Current.

Prior to the advent of steam in the early 19th century, the foot of St. Mary's Current Diagram of St. Mary's Current ended the trip for all sailing vessels upbound in the St. Lawrence River. A team of oxen, varying between 10 and 16, depending on berthen, current and winds, were used to pull vessels ⁴ over the 1300 foot wide section of the St. Lawrence River between Ile Ronde and Hochelaga, now called Montreal ⁵.

By 1824, steam tugs were being used to bring vessels through the strong St. Mary's current ⁶. With the developement of the Montreal Harbour in the 1830's and 40's, effectively narrowing the channel and gradually changing water flow patterns as each new pier emerged, currents of 3 or 4 knots were not unusual ⁷. However, with the demise of square riggers and commercial sailing vessels around the turn of the century, the importance of St. Mary's current gradually decreased, although it remains even today a force not to be ignored.

Posted Nov. 1, 1998.

Updated Nov. 18, 2002.