Canal de Saint-Quentin

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The Canal de Saint-Quentin is a canal in northern France connecting the canalised Escaut River in Cambrai to the Canal latéral à l'Oise [1] and Canal de l'Oise à l'Aisne in Chauny[2]

Canal de Saint-Quentin
Lock Noyelles-sur-Escaut on Canal Saint-Quentin
Specifications
Length92.5 km (57.5 mi) [1]
Lock length38.5 m (126 ft)
Lock width5.05 m (16.6 ft)
Minimum boat draft2.2 m (7.2 ft)
Minimum boat air draft3.5 m (11 ft)
Locks35 [2] [1]
StatusOpen
History
Former namesCanal Crozat or Canal de Picardie between Chauny and Saint-Simon in 1738 [1]
Principal engineerOriginal engineer named Devicq in 1727. Died in 1742.
Other engineer(s)Revised plan by Laurent de Lyonne. Work began in 1768.
Geography
Start pointCanalised Escaut River(Scheldt) in Cambrai
End pointChauny
Beginning coordinates50°10′35″N 3°13′18″E / 50.17646°N 3.22173°E / 50.17646; 3.22173
Ending coordinates49°36′29″N 3°13′31″E / 49.60814°N 3.22526°E / 49.60814; 3.22526
Connects toCanal latéral à l'Oise, Canal de l'Oise à l'Aisne, Canal de la Sambre à l'Oise, Canalised Escaut River [2]

History

Canal construction was accomplished in two phases, the second much longer than the first. The kings ministers Colbert and Mazarin had both proposed linking the River Oise and the Somme in the 17th century and this resulted in the Canal Crozat, or Canal de Picardie, between Chauny and Saint-Simon in 1738. The remainder, connecting the Seine Basin with the Escaut was a lengthy process. The original designer, Devicq in 1727, died in 1742. Little was accomplished until Napoléon demanded that work begin again in 1801. He officiated at the opening in April 1810. [1]

The canal was such a success that traffic levels required the need to build duplicate locks deepen the channel, enlarge the tunnels, and increase water supplies. Improvements in the 20th century included electric barge traction on rails, installed during World War I, mechanizing locks, and lighting the heavier traveled sections. Later, the locks were operated automatically, using radar. By 1878, up to 110 barges were crossing the summit daily. The Canal du Nord was built as a duplicate path and completed in 1965. The canal carried more freight than any other man-made waterway in France in 1964. [1]

En route

 
Map showing some points above.


References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j McKnight, Hugh (2005). Cruising French Waterways, 4th Edition. Sheridan House. pp. 16, 37–42. ISBN 8124-0152-1. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: length (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Jefferson, David (2009). Through the French Canals. Adlard Coles Nautical. pp. 197–199. ISBN 978-1-4081-0381-4.