This memorial Celtic cross is dedicated to the workers and their famillies who died while building the Rideau Canal. It was constructed after the War of 1812 on fears of an American invasion of the St. Lawrence River, it served as an alternative shipping route between Montreal and Kingston.
The granite celtic cross has five engraved symbols:
centre - an Irish harp to symbolize the nationality of most of the workers
top - a pick and shovel to symbolize to tools used in the construction of the canal
right - a mosquito to symbolize the ever-present bug
bottom - a wheel barrow, another tool used in the construction
left - an explosion to symbolize the use of explosives during the construction.
Ottawa, Ontario
Type
Other
Inscription
[Cross base/base de la croix]
IN MEMORY OF 1000
WORKERS & THEIR FAMILLIES
WHO DIED BUILDING THIS CANAL
1826 - 1832
À LA MÉMOIRE DES 1000
TRAVAILLEURS ET LEURS
FAMILLES QUI SONT MORTS
EN CONSTRUISANT CE CANAL
Visitor information
Location
Rideau Canal Memorial Cross
Ottawa
Ontario
Rideau Canal Memorial Cross
Ottawa
Ontario
GPS Coordinates
Lat. 45.4267205
Long. -75.6980325
Lat. 45.4267205
Long. -75.6980325
front
Richard Turcotte1
of
2
images
inscription
Richard Turcotte1
of
2
images
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