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Stephen Layton

Stephen Layton grew up in Cornwall, Ontario.





“I mentioned when they blew the cofferdams in 1958 – I believe it was in July but I’m not sure of the exact date.

But I happened to be in bed that morning, I was sleeping in. And so I would’ve been… what, ’58? I would’ve been 9 years old, right? And I heard the whoomp. And you could feel it! You know, it wasn’t like… and it wasn’t like a very minor earthquake.

And you sort of, Ah! They’re blowing the cofferdams. So it was a… It was kind of an exciting moment. There was no negative – it was more positive than negative because it was exciting.

But I remember that moment. It was just, oh yeah! Quite the moment. That was the time it happened.”




Stephen Layton's Voice

Stephen Layton, Interview Exceprets, Ottawa, Ontario. August 23, 2013




Listening to the cofferdam when it was blown up. I was 9 year old in my bed at home.

The Seaway was sort of like the Last Spike connecting Thunder Bay with the sea.

Sheeks Island was a magical place.

The promises that were made all bypassed Cornwall.

Video



Video Excerpt: Stephen Layton, Ottawa Ontario. August 23, 2013



In this video clip Stephen Layton of Cornwall recalls how as a 10 year old he remembers feeling the cofferdam explosion while still in bed.

The construction of the Seaway loomed large in the lives of those living anywhere in Eastern Ontario. It particularly filled the imagination of children.

Bio

In this video clip Stephen Layton of Cornwall recalls how as a 10 year old he remembers feeling the cofferdam explosion while still in bed.

The construction of the Seaway loomed large in the lives of those living anywhere in Eastern Ontario. It particularly filled the imagination of children.