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Page 9 length, though local in its construction, would be national in its purpose and benefits." Congress voted to spend the funds in 1853. The locks would measure 350 feet long and 70 width and be completed within two years. The Soo Locks opened on June 18, 1855 and closed for the season on November 23rd. During the first season, one hundred ninety- three vessels transited the tandem locks, carrying a total 33,817 tons of freight. By 1860, over 900 vessels transited the locks, carrying 153,721 tons. Clearly President Filmore was correct in the national importance of the locks. The original tandem locks have been replaced with a series of new locks: Weitzel Lock (551 feet long) opened in 1881, the Poe Lock (704 feet long) opened in 1896, the Davis Lock ( 1,350 feet long) opened in 1914 and the Sabin Lock ( 1,350 feet long) opened in 1919. With each new larger lock, vessel owners ordered new ships to be built. The MacArthur Lock (800 feet long) opened in 1943, marking a post-war boom in great lakes shipbuilding. A new single cargo record was set with each new vessel. U.S. Steel's BENJAMIN FAIRLESS battled with the IRVING S. OLDS in the 1940's. Inland Steel's WILFRED SYKES Coming into locks from below. (Early photo from Dossin Collection) View of Soo Locks before the International Bridge was built.