Hello this is my first post here. Please say if you were told what I was told or have factual knowledge not just your guess or speculation.

Growing up in a Cleveland suburb Lake Erie I was told “boats are freshwater regardless of size” while “ships are saltwater”. Also told Ste Lawrence Locks were deliberately built narrower to prevent enemy bringing warships into Great Lakes in wartime plus vice versa to prevent the large Lake boats from being conscripted and taken out to the ocean in wartime. True or not?

Please say if you heard this too? Or if you have actual knowledge not just your own personal opinion or guess.

Please factual replies. I want to know for real not guesses. Thanks in advance