Cape Cod Canal

Amongst all of the great attractions that spur visitors to spend time here, the one icon that seems to be THE image of Cape Cod is the "Canal." Constructed between 1909 and 1914, it became the widest ( at 480 feet) and longest ( at 7 miles - and not at 17 miles as I erroneously reported in a previous posting) sea-level canal, without locks, in the world. The first idea of a canal was posited by Miles Standish in 1623. In 1697, the Massachusetts General Court considered the first "formal" proposal, but took no action. Between 1776 and 1860, there were at least six more plans to build a canal submitted. Finally, in 1909, engineers began construction of a canal by connecting and widening the Manomet and Scusset Rivers. Once completed, "The Canal" allowed ships to save 162 miles of travel going around the Cape.. Today, over 14,000 users traverse it annually.
At the Bourne end of "The Canal" is the Buzzards Bay Vertical Lift railroad bridge. Built in 1933 by the Public Works Administration, it's 544 foot span made it the longest vertical lift span in the world, at that time. Now, it is the second longest lift span in the U.S. (after the Arthur Kill bridge between New Jersey and Staten Island, New York). When raised, the bridge has a 135 foot clearance. During the summer months, the Cape Cod Central Railroad runs scenic adventure rides over the bridge and through much of Cape Cod. From Mid-November to just before Christmas, they also run. "Polar Express " ride for children of all ages.
Two other bridges also span "The Canal". Approximately three miles north of the railroad bridge is the Bourne bridge. Deemed to be "The Most Beautiful Steel Bridge" just before its official opening in 1935, it connects many southeastern Massachusetts towns with Cape Cod. It's sibling, "The Sagamore Bridge" was built at the same time, at the north end of "the Canal", allowing access to the Cape from metropolitan Boston. Both the Bourne and Sagamore bridges replaced earlier draw-bridges when "the Canal" was widened.
Over the years, Lori and I have spent a lot of time along "The Canal", including watching the parade of tall ships traversing it during America's Bicentennial. It is a great place to relax, walk along, or even fish.

A 1914 photograph of the Cape Cod Canal construction process...

...and of the breaking of the dam allowing waters from Buzzards Bay and Cape Cod Bay to merge.

At the northern end of the Canal, is the Sagamore bridge, connecting metropolitan Boston with Cape Cod.

Approximately mid-way through the canal is the Bourne bridge, deemed to be "The Most Beautiful Steel Bridge" by the American Institute of Steel Construction in 1934. In the background, you can make out the Buzzards Bay railroad bridge.

This vertical lift railroad bridge has the second longest span in the U.S. (That is the Mayflower II being towed under it).

During our recent trip to Massachusetts, we had the opportunity to watch the Mayflower II being through the canal down to Mystic Connecticut where it will undergo a two year total refurbishment.

What a magnificent sight! It's hard to believe that the Pilgrims endured months of travel on such cramped quarters before landing in Plymouth.

The vertical lift Buzzards Bay railroad bridge in the "down" position so that the Cape Vod Central Railroad train can pass over it.