Plenty of Nothing

Quebec Bridge Disaster 1907

On this date in 1907 the new cantilever bridge spanning the St Lawrence River at Quebec City collapsed during construction, killing 75 of the 86 workers on it. It would suffer another failure in 1916 before opening for traffic in 1919. Source.

Starved by a "Christian" Government, 1888

Political cartoon by J.W. Bengough, 1888. Source.

Airship Mast, St. Hubert

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Gibbous Moon (1980)

Gibbous Moon (1980) by Paterson Ewen. Source.

Notre-Dame-des-Victoires

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Canadiana Bookplate

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Diefenbaker and Laurier

This statue in Saskatoon commemorates the meeting of Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier and then newsboy John Diefenbaker on July 29th, 1910. People love encounters like this in which the torch is passed symbolically from one generation to the next. Unfortunately, it's totally a bullshit story that Dief cooked up during the 1963 election campaign to try to impress voters in Quebec. Source. Also.

Gladys Robinson, Champion Skater

1926 cigarette card of Canadian speedskater, Gladys Robinson. Source.

 

Nuns Knitting for the Highland Guards

Another watercolour by MacNaughton. The nuns are apparently knitting leggings, and politely not saying, "Idiots, this is Canada." Source.

Collecting Firewood, 1760

This watercolour by John H. MacNaughton shows Britsh soldiers collecting firewood at Quebec in the winter of 1759-60. Seven men draw a loaded sledge, while six other keep a lookout for marauders. I think MacNaughton has given his soldiers more tractor power than is credible. It takes about ten men to equal the traction of one horse, and that's a two-draughthorse job right there. Source.