The Story of the Portland to Montreal Pipeline

Can Descriptions[NHF Reel 6] NHF cataloguer's notes, 9/23/98 CH: (10:25) Intertitle: 'The Story of the Portland to Montreal Pipeline.' 1941. Gorham to Montreal section constructed by Williams Bros. Corp., Tulsa, OK. Photographed and edited by Paul le Bel. Maine and Quebec. Pipline cut distance of transport from 1000 miles to 200 miles. Surveyed by plane, pipeline needed to help with transport of oil to Britain during WWII. Construction of pipeline with rooters and bucket ditchers. Mt. Sutton, Quebec, St. Lawrence Valley, St. Lawrence River. Canadian National Archives cataloguer's notes, 9/23/1998 WO: [The Story of the Portland to Montreal Pipeline 1941] [27:30 min.] [head title missing] Photographed and Edited by Paul Le Bel Supervision-Script and Recording: Jim Bransby Sound: Hazard E. Reeves Voice: Frank Singiser appears to be a Canadian production head and tail credit music is 'Rule Britannia' The film documents the building and completion of the Portland to Montreal pipeline. Companies involved in laying the pipeline. (Shots of company names on equipment, with narrator voice-over) Oklahoma Contracting Co.--Pipeline Contractors--Dallas,TX Williams Bros. Corp. Tulsa Oklahoma Bulldozers clearing route. Routers, shovels, and trench diggers prepare the right of way. Drilling and exposives to open solid rock cuts. The pipeline is composed of 12' stainless steel pipe, each section weighing a ton (2000 lbs.). Up to two miles a day is laid. Welding the pipes. Pipeline on Mt. Sutton, PQ. 'On August 1, 1941, the American section was linked with the Canadian section at Highwater, Premier Godbout of Quebec, Minister C.D. Howe, and Vermont Governor [Wills?] President of Standard Oil. All make speeches on podium (no sound). CBC radio microphones. In the Canadian section, two major rivers had to be crossed. The Richelieu and St. Lawrence. Dredging barges preparing the trench in the St. Lawrence. Tugboat 'Capt. T.W. Morrison' seen. Along the 236 mile pipeline there are 8 pumping stations (map). South Portland, North Waterford, Maine, and Highwater, PQ are shown. On Nov. 1st 1941, one month ahead of schedule, the first tanker loaded with South American crude oil was unloaded at South Portland. The harbour had to be dredged to accomodate these large tankers. 200,000 gallons per hour unloaded. On November 10th, the first oil began to be moved along the pipeline. The first oil arrived in Montreal on November 16th, 1941 (shots of pipeline workers in Montreal). Shots of refineries in East Montreal. 'The Portland to Montreal pipeline gives us greater assurance of receiving all the petroleum products our modern civilization and the emergency of the hour demand. Oil for war, oil to speed the victory, the preservation of our freedom and our great democracy.'