27

MRS. MACDONALD "….There was almost silence in the vast crowd when Mrs. Macdonald arose. She said: "Now let us praise the engineers. From a mere woman without any knowledge of the technical skill behind the building of the 'Road to the Isle', any words of praise would mean little enough.
Other tongues more knowledgeable than mine will properly assess this great engineering achievement. But I can say how very much like a miracle it appears to me.
I well remember the first load of rock and earth that came from Porcupine to start the road across the water and I thought to myself in my ignorance that it would take more than one mountain to bridge the watery gap between the Island and the mainland."
AS IT WAS DREAMED
"I did not see this spot again until about two months ago, and … the 'Road to the Isle' was completed, as it was planned, as it was dreamed. And there was Porcupine looking very little disturbed but its great contribution to the building of this road. .........
As most of us know, the building of this 'Road to the Isle' was for long years a man's hope and his dream."He never lost sight of the gleam of that shining ambition.
Let it be remembered, and let it never be forgotten, that without his dream and his determination to make it come true, there would not be a 'Road to the Isle' for us to officially open here today with all its colourful ceremonies.
After some setbacks and disappointments, natural to the achievement of such an undertaking, he saw the dream beginning to shape, "But it was you, you men who built this road, all those who helped you to do so, who took his dream and his hope, and made these realities. And for this, thank you."
(The Chronicle Herald August 15th, 1955)

28

Rev. Stanley Macdonald
13 August 1955
Canso Causeway official opening

29

GAELIC GREETING -Father Stanley Macdonald, brother of Premier Angus L. Macdonald, presented a Gaelic greeting to the crowd of 40,000 at the Canso Causeway's official opening. Both Angus L. Macdonald and his brother spoke Gaelic fluently.
In 1955, there were many in the crowd who understood Gaelic so there was laughter when Father Stanley made remarks that those on the platform with him didn't understand.
Rev. Macdonald finished by saying: "It's a great day for the rest of Canada."

30

Trade Minister C.D. Howe cuts the ribbon
13 August 1955
Canso Causeway official opening

31

HISTORIC EVENT -The Right Honourable C.D. Howe, Minister of Trade and Commerce who had given the Inaugural Address had the honour of cutting the ribbon. Assisting him was the Premier of Nova Scotia, Henry D. Hicks. R.C.M.P. officers Larry Reid who was stationed in Inverness at the time and Al Wood hold the Nova Scotia tartan ribbon.
Photo: Department of Government Services

32

HMCS Quebec on south side of Canso Causeway
13 August 1955
Canso Causeway official opening

33

CRUISER HMCS QUEBEC PLAYED LEAD ROLE - The Royal Canadian Navy vessel HMCS Quebec fired a congratulatory salvo after the cutting of the ribbon officially opened the Canso Causeway. The Quebec was one of several vessels in the water south of the Causeway on the opening day.
Behind the Quebec is the village of Port Hastings. Boat owners realized that they could get a good view from the water and see all the activities where it would be less crowded and cooler.

34

Naval ship
13 August 1955
Canso Causeway official opening

35

SALUTE -The Canadian naval vessel HMCS Quebec shortly after the guns of the ship fired off in celebration of the Canso Causeway's official opening. The Quebec is on the south side of the Canso Causeway which had been constructed between June1952 (site preparation began) till its unofficial opening on May 20th, 1955.
There was a fly pass by the Royal Canadian Air Force.

36

Pipe bands march across the Canso Causeway
13 August 1955
Canso Causeway official opening

37

THE MACDONALD HUNDRED PIPE BAND - Honorary Pipe Major George Dey from Halifax marched at the head of the procession.
'The Macdonald Hundred' was made up of pipers and drummers from the Cape Breton Highlanders and the Nova Scotia Highlanders Pipe Bands. According to Jack MacIsaac who was a 16 year old piper with the Cape Breton Highlanders, the band of the day was comprised of a number of veterans who served overseas and younger players who were new recruits to the Cape Breton Highlanders (Militia Unit).
The band wore the Macdonald of Clanranald tartan.

38

Drum Major, Al Skinner of the Inverness Pipe band at head of parade in white jacket
13 August 1955
Canso Causeway official opening

39

CAPE BRETON PRIDE- In the beginning, the Inverness Pipe Band understood that they would lead the parade across the Causeway on the opening day. That was the information passed on to them by C.I.N. MacLeod. Instead, they marched across the week before while the CBC filmed the march. On the opening day, they marched across in the first group which consisted of nine bands.
Al Skinner, who is seen in pictures just behind the Pipe Major in a white jacket, was Drum Major of the Inverness Pipe Band. He was a visible representative for Cape Bretoners at the head of the procession.

40

Dignitaries lead the march across
13 August 1955
Canso Causeway official opening