Length 92.5 km (57.5 mi) Lock width 5.05 m (16.6 ft) Minimum boat air draft 3.5 m (11 ft) Country France Locks 35 | Lock length 38.5 m (126 ft) Minimum boat draft 2.2 m (7.2 ft) Status Open | |
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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 and Canal de l'Oise à l'Aisne in Chauny
Contents
Map of Canal de Saint-Quentin, France
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.
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.
Battle of St Quentin Canal
The Canal in World War I formed part of the Hindenburg Line, a German defensive position built during the winter of 1916–1917. The Allied crossing of the St Quentin Canal in 1918 was a significant part of the Hundred Days Offensive that led to the Armistice.