The foundation for the cradle is being constructed. The cradle itself has been built and will be placed on the site next week. The cradle was used to haul barges up the inclined plane from Dartmouth Cove to Sullivans Pond. This occurred during the second phase of the Shubenacadie Canal operated by the Inland Navigation Company.
We have been writing about the Irish and Scottish settlers who came to Dartmouth in the mid to late 1820s to work on the Canal. Our hope is that someone will recognize a name. Recently archaeologists from Industrial Heritage Nova Scotia have invited the public to join them in the excavation of the remains of a bunkhouse, in Shubie Park, where Canal workers may have stayed. Perhaps one of the following might have lived in this dwelling – Timothy Horan, John and James Marra (Blacksmiths) and William Quinn. Do any of these names ring a bell – might one be a relative of yours?
In order to allow for the restoration of masonry work and flooring in the turbine chamber the Starr era turbine has been removed. As you can see it was in poor condition and the experts determined that because there are existing examples of this type of turbine, it would not be kept. There are plans to install a replica of the original canal era turbine.
