Denison Canal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Denison Canal |
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The Denison Canal at Dunalley.
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| Specifications | |
| Length | 0.895 km (0.556 miles) |
| Locks | Nil |
| Status | Open |
| History | |
| Date completed | 1905 |
The Denison Canal is a special waterway built by people in Dunalley, southern Tasmania, Australia. It's like a shortcut for boats! This canal opened in 1905. It was named after William Denison, who was a Governor of Tasmania. The main reason for building it was to make fishing and trade trips shorter between Tasmania's east coast and the city of Hobart.
Why Was the Denison Canal Built?
Early Ideas for a Shortcut
People first thought about digging a canal through East Bay Neck way back in 1820. This idea would create a faster route for boats. However, no one really took the idea seriously for a long time.
Governor Denison's Interest
Things changed when William Denison became governor in 1847. Governor Denison had experience with canals. He had worked on the Rideau Canal in Canada. In 1854, he asked for a report to see if building a canal at East Bay Neck was possible. Even with his interest, no work started on the project at that time.
Starting Construction in the 1900s
The idea for the canal came back to life in the early 1900s. In 1901, the Tasmanian Government asked companies to bid on the project. A company called Henrikson and Knutson won the contract. They offered the lowest price, which was £17,999.
Who Designed the Canal?
The Denison Canal was designed by an engineer named Napier Bell. He planned how the canal would be built.
When Did the Canal Open?
The contract said the canal should be finished by May 29, 1904. But there were some delays. The company and the government had to agree on who would own the building equipment. Finally, the canal was opened by Governor Sir Gerald Strickland on October 13, 1905. At the time, it was said to be the second-longest canal in Australia!
How Did Boats Cross the Canal?
For many years, a hand-operated swing bridge crossed the Denison Canal. This bridge would swing open to let boats pass. In 1965, a new, bigger bridge was put in place. This new bridge was operated by electricity, making it much easier to use.
What Are the Denison Canal's Features?
How Long and Wide Is It?
The Denison Canal itself is about 895 meters (2,936 feet) long. If you include the areas that were dug out to help boats approach, it becomes about 2.42 kilometers (1.5 miles) long. The canal is 34 meters (111 feet) wide at ground level. At low tide, the water channel narrows to 7 meters (23 feet) wide.
How Deep Is the Water?
The depth of the water in the canal changes with the tides. At high tide, the water is about 3.9 meters (13 feet) deep. At low tide, it's about 2.6 meters (8.5 feet) deep.
What Kind of Boats Use It Today?
In the past, even small trading ships could use the Denison Canal. However, today, only smaller boats can pass through. This includes small fishing boats and boats used for fun. This is because of shifting sand bars in Blackman Bay, which is on the eastern side of the canal.
