Remains

The port as we know it today is the result of major development work done in the early 20th century. The years 1896 to 1930 were the Port of Montréal’s golden years, a time when it was the destination of trans-Atlantic ships and trains from all over North America. Millions of tonnes of merchandise travelled through Montréal, and to meet demand, the port modernized its facilities by building structures such as grain elevators, sheds and higher quays.

Relics of this heyday are still visible, like giants from another era. If you listen, they will tell you the fascinating history of the Port of Montréal.

Conveyor Quay

The two marine towers on the Conveyor Quay.
Port de Montréal – Archives / APM-0769

The structure at the end of the Conveyor Quay is a marine tower, used for quickly loading and unloading ships.

Built in the mid-1950s, the Conveyor Tower was used for loading and unloading grain between ships and grain elevators. At the time, there were two marine towers on the Conveyor Quay.

The basic principle behind the tower is the same as that of all similar towers used in the port at the time. For unloading, a telescopic arm was extended from the tower into the ship’s hold, and a bucket conveyor—a belt with small containers attached—took the grain up. From there it would slide down a chute to the base of the tower to a conveyor belt, which would take it to the neighbouring grain elevator. For loading, the grain left the elevator via an overhead conduit that also had a conveyor belt. The grain would eventually flow into inclined chutes and from there into the ship’s hold.

The marine towers were directly connected to the elevators where the grain was stored. These two towers were notable in that they were built on rails, which gave them mobility. They could work together to unload a large ship faster, or they could unload two ships at a time.

The last of its kind at the Old Port, the Conveyor Tower still possesses all of its original components, though they have not been used for several decades.

It stands as a reminder of the intense industrial activity that characterized the Port of Montréal at its peak. The tower’s unusual structure has inspired many artists, including painters and film makers. For instance, the final scenes from the Québec film Bon Cop Bad Cop were shot in the area around the marine tower.