August Belmont, born February 18, 1853, and died December 10, 1924, made possible the first complete construction of the Cape Cod Canal connecting Buzzards Bay and Cape Cod Bay through his vision, initiative, and indomitable courage. The canal was officially opened for traffic on July 29, 1914. From his maternal grandfather, Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry, he inherited a warm allegiance to the interests of New England and a deep concern for those who go down to the sea in ships.
