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The Detroit Marine Historian Journal of Marine Historical Society of Detroit Volume 28, No. 3 13951 Faust, Detroit, Michigan 48223 November, 1974 William | Hamilton Merri ee Se Se ee oe ee ef 2 The Welland Canal hea Le canal Welland — vwwewwwuvwvwvuvuw Special Canadian stamp honors William Hamilton Merritt. Canada’s ‘Father of Transportation’ On November 29th, Canada Post, the post office depart- ment of the Canadian Government, issued an eight-cent stamp honoring William Hamilton Merritt, one of the Dominion’s foremost pioneers in the area of transportation. Issuance of the stamp was timed to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the start of construction of the first Welland Canal. For many years the achievements of Merritt were largely overlooked by Canadian historians and politicians. How- ever, efforts have been put forward recently to pay an overdue and fitting tribute to this man. The culmination of this work was the decision to issue the Merritt stamp. An appropriate series of events was also scheduled to coincide with the celebration. Included was the unveiling of a National Historic Sites Plaque in Merritt's honor at the popular Lock 3 Tourist Centre in St. Catharines, Ontario, and a commemorative ceremony at the Cairn in nearby Allanburg on the spot where the first sod was turned for the Welland Canal. George Keefer, the original President of the Welland Canal Company, performed this duty 150 years ago. Officiating in this year’s commemorative ceremony was his great-great grandson, Thomas Keefer of Toronto. History and art were combined in a unique form during other observances honoring Merritt. The St. Catharines- based Carousel Players theatre group wrote and performed a musical play, “Merritt!”, based on the life of this note- worthy Canadian, and performances of the play in schools and public auditoriums in the Niagara Peninsula during November were highly acclaimed. The Marine Historical Society of Detroit decided to join the celebration by having this special issue of the MARINE HISTORIAN written and printed in Canada as a tribute to William Hamilton Merritt and his work. Articles on William Hamilton Merritt and the Welland Canal were written by Marine Historical Society member E. B. “Skip” Gillham of Lincoln, Ontario. A secondary school teacher, Mr. Gillham is well known in the Niagara area as an author of marine-related articles. Technical and research assistance in the preparation of this special issue was provided by Society member Lou Cahill and Deryk Tilden of the Ontario Editorial Bureau in St. Catharines. Cover design for the first-day-of-mailing cachet was provided by the Rev. Edward J. Dowling, S.J. of Detroit, a distinguished marine historian and a member of the Society.