La Toupie

This is the phare-pilier Prince also called the "Toupie", situated in Tadoussac, northern Quebéc, where the river Saguenay meet the river Saint Laurent. A few meters into the Saguenay there are the Fjords and we can watch lots of whales when cruising the region, from Belugas to the great blue whales.

"It was in 1860 that the Prince of Wales inadvertently christened the shoal when his boat ran aground on it. From 1871 to 1955 a light boat was anchored there to indicate the navigational hazard. This boat was replaced in 1964 by the pillar that was nicknamed "la Toupie" (the top) due to its spindle shape which was designed to resist the strong pressures of ice in winter. The pillar, which is anchored on the shoal, is 22 metres high. It was built in dry-dock in Lauzon and towed to the chosen site. A total of 2400 tonnes of rock and 24 000 bags of cement were used in its construction. On Christmas night, 1966, it proved its strength. The Toupie managed to withstand 100 km per hour winds and waves of over 14 metres in height. The three men stationed on the lighthouse at the time survived unscathed. The lighthouse was automated in 1987". (http://www.baleinesendirect.net/eng/FSC.html?sct=3&pag=3-1-2-02.html )
Regards,
Zeca

Copyright: Jose Augusto Hauer