An Engineering Marvel of the 19th Century The Erie Canal An Engineering Marvel of the 19th Century

Background The Erie Canal was first proposed because of a recurring problem of limited transportation between costal ports and the Great Lakes in the interior. Rivers could not be used for transportation because the path from the Lakes to the sea was obstructed by the Appalachian Mountains. Passengers and freight had to travel overland, a journey made more difficult by the rough condition of the roads.

Map of the Erie Canal -- c. 1840 Background It was decided that an inland water route to the West would boost the country’s economy. The new canal would run from the Hudson River to the eastern shore of Lake Erie. Map of the Erie Canal -- c. 1840

Profile of the original canal Proposal & Logistics The original canal was 363 miles long and ran from Albany, New York on the Hudson River to Buffalo, New York on the shores of Lake Erie. The finished canal would be 40 feet wide and 4 feet deep. Profile of the original canal

Proposal & Logistics The canal was built in a pass through the Appalachian Mountains called the Mohawk Valley. The Mohawk Valley offered a natural passageway between the Catskill Mountains to the south and the Adirondack Mountains to the north. Satellite image showing the natural passage created by the Mohawk Valley.

Aqueduct over the Mohawk River at Rexford Proposal & Logistics A problem with the Mohawk Valley is that it rises 600 feet from its base on the Hudson River to the shore of Lake Erie in the north. A system of locks would have to be used to raise boats up the canal. Each lock would only raise a boat 12 feet, so a long string of locks would be needed. Aqueduct over the Mohawk River at Rexford

Engineers The principle engineer for the Erie Canal project was Benjamin Wright. Benjamin Wright was also commissioned as the surveyor of the Mohawk Valley in order to map a route for the project. He was known as the “Father of American Civil Engineering.” Benjamin Wright

Construction Construction began on July 4, 1817 at Rome, New York. The main problems were felling trees and clearing out the soil dug up to make the canal. Parts of the canal had to be abandoned because of last minute route changes. Stonework of lock abandoned because of route change, at Durhamville, New York.

Construction As more workers arrived at the project, the rate of construction increased rapidly. It took three men to build one mile in a year. This was a very good speed, considering the circumstances. A total of 7,000 men, mostly Scottish and Irish immigrants, worked on the canal. Construction was completed an the canal opened on October 26th, 1825.

Images of the Montezuma Marsh. Obstacles One of the major obstacles in the Erie Canal project was the Montezuma Marsh. Over 1,000 men died of swamp fever and construction almost stopped. Images of the Montezuma Marsh.

This lock in the canal gave rise to the modern community of Lockport. Obstacles Another obstacle on the way to lake Erie was the Niagara Escarpment. It was partially blasted with dynamite This was an 80 foot high cliff that led up to the shores of Lake Erie. A series of tall locks were placed in a natural ravine to get around it. This lock in the canal gave rise to the modern community of Lockport.

1853 Map of New York canals, including the Erie Canal Route The Erie Canal ran from Albany New York on the Hudson River to Buffalo, on the shore of Lake Erie. The route basically followed the route of the Mohawk River, up the southern edge of the Mohawk Valley. 1853 Map of New York canals, including the Erie Canal

Enlargements & Improvements After the canal opened, a number of enlargements and improvements were added. The main solution used to patch leaky parts of the canal was a cement that set underwater, called hydraulic cement. In 1834 a massive enlargement of the canal took place. This was Known as the “First Enlargement”. Many parts of the canal were completely restored in the First Enlargement.

Enlargements & Improvements There were many feeder canals and tributaries added to the Erie Canal. Many other canals linking up to the Erie Canal were also built in the region. The Erie Canal was eventually combined with these other canals to form the New York State Barge Canal. View of the lock at Pittsford, NY

Competition As the canal brought travelers to New York City, it took business away from other ports such as Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Baltimore, Maryland. In 1837, the Mohawk & Hudson Railroad opened so to bypass the slower parts of the canal. Other railroads opened across the East Coast, as they were a faster and more efficient means of travel.

Map of the Erie Canal and surrounding New York railroads. Competition After the opening of the new bypass railroad, a track spanning the whole length from New York City to Albany and Buffalo was completed. Map of the Erie Canal and surrounding New York railroads.

Packet dock in Syracuse, New York c. 1905 Impact The Erie Canal made an immense contribution to the wealth and importance of New York City, Buffalo, and New York State. The Canal also helped bind the still-new nation closer to Britain and Europe. British repeal of the Corn Law resulted in a huge increase in exports of Midwestern wheat to Britain. Packet dock in Syracuse, New York c. 1905

A PowerPoint Presentation by Jacob Stokes The End A PowerPoint Presentation by Jacob Stokes