Construction of White Sea – Baltic Canal

The White Sea-Baltic Canal is a ship canal in north-western Russia that links the White Sea with Lake Onega, and through other waterways with the Baltic Sea. It was Stalin's first major project built largely with forced labour, using prisoners of the Gulag who worked with simple tools in harsh northern conditions. Many thousands died from cold, hunger and exhaustion. The Soviet authorities celebrated it as an example of the reform of criminals through labour, and a book by a group of writers, including Maxim Gorky, praised it. The canal was built rapidly, and it was too shallow for large vessels, which limited its economic importance. It is used today by smaller ships and for inland transport.

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