The Basins and Flour Wharves of the Lachine Canal

During the first expansion of the Lachine Canal (1843-1848), two new wharves and basins devoted to the flour industry appeared to the north of reach No. 2 (the Peel Basin). Measuring 106 metres in length along the longest side and 33 metres in width, these basins had a depth equal to that of the main basin, allowing them to accommodate ocean-going vessels.

Nowadays, you can easily walk along these quays, but there was a time when large warehouses were located there.

These basins were called flour basins on account of the flour barges transfer loads and flour on to ocean-going vessels. Beginning in 1846, government flour warehouses appeared on the docks of the flour basins, but these docks quickly became insufficient for this growing industry.

That is why, in 1865, John Hall founded Montreal Warehousing on the docks of the No. 4 flour basin (along Smith Street). These new warehouses facilitate storage and transshipment onto ocean-going vessels using sea cranes.

Related links

• The Wheat and Flour Industry at the Lachine Canal
• The History of Flour Mills and Silos on the Lachine canal
• The Peel Basin