Canal de Saint-Quentin

Canal de Saint-Quentin

Lock Noyelles-sur-Escaut on Canal Saint-Quentin
Specifications
Length 92.5 km (57.5 mi)
Maximum boat length 5.05 m (16.6 ft)
Maximum boat beam 38.50 m (126.3 ft)
Minimum boat draft 2.20 m (7.2 ft)
Minimum boat air draft 3.50 m (11.5 ft)
Locks 35
Total rise 43 m
Status Open
History
Former names Canal Crozat or Canal de Picardie between Chauny and Saint-Simon, in 1738
Current owner Voies Navigables de France
Principal engineer Original engineer named Devicq in 1727. Died in 1742.
Other engineer(s) Revised plan by Laurent de Lyonne. Work began in 1768.
Date completed 1810
Geography
Start point Canalised Escaut River (Scheldt) in Cambrai
End point Chauny
Beginning coordinates 50°10′35″N 3°13′18″E / 50.17646°N 3.22173°E / 50.17646; 3.22173
Ending coordinates 49°36′29″N 3°13′31″E / 49.60814°N 3.22526°E / 49.60814; 3.22526
Connects to Canal latéral à l'Oise, Canal de l'Oise à l'Aisne, Canal de la Sambre à l'Oise, Canalised Escaut River

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.

History

The canal was built in two phases, the second much longer than the first. The king's 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.[1]

The canal was such a success that the locks had to be duplicated throughout in the early 20th century, at the same time deepening the channel, enlarging the tunnels, and increasing water supplies. Later improvements included electric barge traction on rails, installed during World War I, mechanising locks, and providing public lighting on the busiest sections. Later, the locks were equipped for automatic operation, using remote sensors, and more recently by handheld remote control. By 1878, up to 110 barges were crossing the summit level daily. The Canal du Nord was built as a duplicate route and completed in 1965. The canal carried more freight than any other man-made waterway in France in 1964.[1]

Battle of St Quentin Canal

Brigadier General J V Campbell addressing British troops of the 137th Brigade (46th Division) from the Riqueval Bridge over the Canal in 1918

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.

This canal is an asset for tourism, boating and on the towpath, especially the northern section in the Escaut valley, the spectacular summit level with its tunnels and the boat harbour in the basin at Saint-Quentin. Commercial traffic declined after opening of the Canal du Nord, and it is now consistently quiet and peaceful, although a few Freycinet barges still use this route.[2]

En route

References

  1. 1 2 McKnight, Hugh (2005). Cruising French Waterways, 4th Edition. Sheridan House. pp. 16, 37–42. ISBN 978-1-57409-087-1.
  2. ↑ Edwards-May, David (2010). Inland Waterways of France. St Ives, Cambs., UK: Imray. ISBN 978-1-846230-14-1.
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