Martin: On Colonel By Day, a quick historical past of an unhailed hero

Article content material

Whereas Colonel By Day was first declared in 1996, the post-amalgamation Ottawa Council affirmed the August civic vacation Monday as Colonel By Day in 2009.

Article content material

Most know that John By was the British navy man tasked with constructing our much-beloved Rideau Canal, however when he landed at Quebec Metropolis in Might of 1826 to start the mission, he was hardly unfamiliar with the Canadas. Starting in 1802, By spent a number of years creating the defences of Quebec, incomes a number of promotions in rank alongside the way in which.

Born in Lambeth, England in 1779, By is typically seen because the founding father of Ottawa-Hull, although that honour would possibly higher belong to Philemon Wright, an American-born farmer and businessman who was recurrently floating timber down the Ottawa river even earlier than the Struggle of 1812. It was By’s efforts, nevertheless, that basically put Wright’s tiny settlement on the map.

With out the great colonel’s contribution, Bytown, renamed Ottawa in 1855, would possibly by no means have grown right into a viable township, a lot much less one worthy of rivalry for capital-city standing. The choice of a principal dwelling for the province’s authorities was a perennial debate within the colonial legislature and was solely settled after Queen Victoria’s 1857 selection of Ottawa was ratified by the province’s parliament in 1859.

Article content material

Now a UNESCO World Heritage Web site used primarily for pleasure cruising, the Rideau Canal was first designed to deal with the key vulnerability in navy provide strains between Montreal and Kingston made apparent in the course of the Struggle of 1812. To hyperlink the Ottawa River with Lake Ontario, Lt.-Col. By required a workforce of some 2,000 males, many introduced from Eire particularly for the arduous job. Lots of of labourers suffered grotesque accidents and dying throughout six years of building. The best torment, brought on by common outbreaks of malaria, then termed “swamp fever,” even struck By himself. Work was additionally recurrently interrupted by employee strikes instigated not solely by illness and harm, however poor pay and common working circumstances within the backwoods of Canada.

Article content material

The monumental 202-km mission, with its 47 masonry locks and 52 dams, was efficiently accomplished in 1832 however reasonably than return a triumphant hero, By was acquired again in England below a cloud of suspicion and scorn. With little trigger and fewer proof, By was subjected to a number of authorities inquiries and accused of recklessly overspending on the large infrastructure mission. Sacrificed on the alter of political partisanship in reform-era Britain, By died a damaged man — his achievements unhailed and his fame irreparably tarnished.

At the moment, Ottawa is routinely ranked among the many greatest cities by which to stay, work and lift a household, so this August lengthy weekend, as we set off for our cottages and campsites, let’s spare a second not just for Colonel By however for the hundreds of engineers, miners, militiamen and labourers who made our nice metropolis potential.

David C. Martin is a historian and author centered on bringing historic background and context to up to date political and cultural headlines.