The Erie Canal HIS 121 ALYSSA GOODWIN

Before Canals  Roads  Some paved  Main transportation  Carriages  Horses

Why a Canal?  Previous Transportation  Long  Rough  Uncomfortable  weather  Canals provided:  Smooth sailing  Better for travel  Long distance  & trade  Easier to haul goods on boat rather than horse

The Proposal  Proposals made as early as 1768  Erie Canal proposed in 1808 by Governor of New York  DeWitt Clinton  Harsh criticism  “Clinton’s Ditch” and/or “Clinton’s Folly”

The Plan  Stretch for 363 miles  40 feet wide, 4 feet deep  From Hudson River to Buffalo  Funds from the state, not national government

Importance  Big leap in engineering  Symbolic  New country, but we can do it.  Resulted in new ideas

How it Works When a boat approaches a lock, the first gate is open. Mules are attached by rope to the boat and the boat is pulled into lock. The first gate is then closed and the water rises. Horses are then re-attached and the second gate is opened. Boat is then pulled through and gate is closed. Mules are un-attached and the boat can continue on its way.

How it Works Cont’d.

Dilemas  Excavation  Hit rock often  Holes drilled by hand to put gunpowder in  Working Conditions  Low pay  Insects near water  Inventions  Cement! Canvass White nvass/WhiteCanvas-Obituary.htm

Completion  Governor DeWitt Clinton officially opened the canal in 1825  Took 8 years

1817_1825

Results Rapidly Paid for itself Easier travel/business Ideas Spread Boat yards = jobs Communities on river canal.html

e_United_States

The End HIS 121 Alyssa Goodwin