By: Yvonne Fox
In September, 1952, workers started blasting into the face of Cape Porcupine.
The following was written by Mrs. Joseph (Marjorie) Power of Auld’s Cove on January 21, 1953:
On Tuesday, January 6, a 30-tonne dynamite charge was set off on the face of Cape Porcupine; the mountain which is being moved into the Strait of Canso piece-by-piece to provide fill for the Canso Causeway.
Pictured in June, 1953 is the Northern Construction Company camp site which had two bunk houses that could accommodate 100 men. In addition to a very large staff house, the camp featured a large cookhouse, as well as a dining and recreation hall.
It was the first blast in four that could really be seen by spectators. At the time of the previous explosions, visibility was very poor because of fog and rain. But on Tuesday, the weather was perfect.
Watchers on both sides saw a huge black cloud issue from the side of the mountain even before the rumble and roar were heard. This was followed by two billowing white clouds that seemed to slowly rise from the surface of the Strait and float up over the Cape itself.
Once the smoke and dust cleared away on the northwest wind, there was plenty of work for the huge bulldozers, electric shovels and trucks used in building the immense project. Each of these gargantuan trucks called Euclids carry up to 40 tonnes to the load. A four-door garage called ‘stalls’ by the workmen and a welding shop are on the site for the repair and maintenance of this huge machinery.
Ten men per shift are employed in this operation, and in addition to the Euclids, a number of smaller trucks are being used. Three eight hour shifts seven days a week are maintained.
This is the sixth in a series of columns from the Port Hastings Historical Society celebrating the 65th anniversary of the opening of the Canso Causeway, and marking the closure of the Mulgrave to Point Tupper ferry.