What the Heck is This?
I'll give a tricked-out Hipster PDA to the first person who can tell me what the heck this weird contraption was doing on the canal on Monday. To win, you must not only be correct, but give me an easy reference with which to verify that you are correct. [Entries must be in comments and contain sufficient information for me to know whom to send the Hipster.]
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9 comments:
Sure looks like one of those weed harvesting contraptions. A photo on this page (first one after the map image) seems to back up my guess.
http://werner.ca/oldindex.html
Yes, some guy who has a boat supports you, Bat Boy. But someone with a more credible source will have a better claim on the Hipster.
Dude,
Bat Boy found a decent pick and all, but I can tell you more.
Eurasian Watermilfoil, a weed, showed up in the Rideau Canal system in the 1960s. And, since 1995 its been illegal to use chemicals in the water to control the vegetation. After 1998, some kind of a banner year for this water weed, the downtown canal became rife with this vegetation, that must be controlled or it will turn the canal into a cesspool of murk. So, two contracting companies have the job to clean out the canal. This guy and his contraption appear to be doing that job. For more info:
http://www.rideau-info.com/canal/weeds.html
So who wins, man, me or batboy?
Hmm, Bat Boy has found some guy with a boat and a camera who says the thing is a weed harvester, and Rabid Raver has found an official site that makes it clear weed clearing was taking place on the canal in 1999.
Am I wrong in thinking that I don't have a clear winner?
There was also a sign along the walkway explaining that weed harvesting was underway ...
Yes, 5th Muse, that corroborates the idea that weed harvesting has taken place. However, to me "along the walkway" doesn't quite count as "an easy reference with which to verify that you are correct".
Is it just that you're all sick of having to provide proper citations for your references? I'm not looking for McGill Guide format, I just want to be able to say, yes, I'm positively certain that thing is a weed harvester (unless it's not).
I mean, there's a tricked-out Hipster PDA at stake here!
Why, that'd be a gamblin' paddle-wheeler from New Orleans. Probably got washed up the Rideau after all them hurricanes. Though looking closer, it may the lesser known Bingo Barge from Westport. That would be the Master Caller under the canopy. Must've been steaming to the ole' folks home across from Landsdowne Park.
Since 1980 weedharvesters have been keeping the Rideau Canal open.Jeff pitt Weedharvester Rideau Canal
Thank you, Jeff, but you're a bit late for the Hipster PDA prize.
And while I am now more than satisfied that the weird contraption was a weed harvester, you haven't provided any more proof for your response than the others did back in 2005.
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