Solving the problem of the Welland Canal
Digging through the sandy, landslide-prone soil of a patch called "The Deep Cut" is so dangerous, it seems like the dream of connecting the Great Lakes to the Atlantic might never happen.
Getting around Niagara Falls is a risky operation
In the early 1800s, there's a major obstacle in the way of trade between Upper and Lower Canada, and Europe beyond: Niagara Falls. Goods transported by ship have to bypass the falls via a portage road.
Niagara entrepreneur William Merritt convinces the government to get behind his plan to build a canal, a great engineering feat that will open up trade along the Great Lakes like never before — but massive obstacles and great danger stand in the way.