Grew up in Hamilton and watched the coal and iron ore boats daily. Saw them up close too in the harbour. Seeing those giant boats go through the Welland Canal through Port Colborne was something else. Giant boats a few feet shorter than the entire length and width of the locks. Those who have never seen it, well, have never seen it and cannot appreciate it. The length, the width and the height of the boat as it goes by simply dwarfs the individual standing on the banks.
yes sir, I grew up in Holland. Know Hamilton quite well :) Spent a few hours of my life on the Rabbit, casting for largemouth in the bayou by the gun club, and whacking smallies up the river a few hundred yards.
Yeah, I spent summers in my youth watching the boats come into Lake Mac, and docking at Brewers...unloading coal for the power plant, and also gravel and salt for the winters. They also hauled a LOT of scrap metal out of Padnos there, too.
Live in Iowa now.....not many big boats out here....lol