It should be noted that, prior to 1855, no ships could sail into Lake Superior waters, unless they were first hauled overland, a very daunting task. The reason for this was that the St. Marys River, running through the small village of Sault Ste. Marie, had a series of rapids that dropped the waters of Lake Superior down nineteen feet to the level of Lake Huron. Ships carrying freight and passengers were forced to unload their cargoes and have them portaged overland for a mile to the other lake, where another ship picked them up. Sidewheel steamboats often were able to shoot the rapids on a downbound trip because of their shallow draft, but they risked damage in doing so. In 1853 an enterprising young agent for the Fairbanks Scale Company of Vermont made a contractual agreement with the State of Michigan to construct a canal and locks around these falls. On June 18, 1855, with much fanfare and many dignitaries, the Soo Locks were opened and the first steamboat, the Illinois, passed through them into Lake Superior. It was captained by the beloved Jack Wilson, who was to meet his fate five years later on the Lady Elgin.13

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