Potomac in Montgomery County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Boats Passing By
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Historical Park
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 26, 2017
1. Boats Passing by Marker
Inscription.
Boats Passing By. Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Historical Park. In days past, while standing on the edge of the canal one would see a variety of boats float by. During the peak operating years of the C&O canal in the 1870's, as many as 550 freight boats were in use on the canal carrying tons of coal from Cumberland to Georgetown. These were the most common boats associated with the canal. Mule freighters were only part of the story, a story can be told in boats.
In days past, while standing on the edge of the canal one would see a variety of boats float by. During the peak operating years of the C&O canal in the 1870's, as many as 550 freight boats were in use on the canal carrying tons of coal from Cumberland to Georgetown. These were the most common boats associated with the canal. Mule freighters were only part of the story, a story can be told in boats.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 39° 0.003′ N, 77° 14.905′ W. Marker was in Potomac, Maryland, in Montgomery County. Marker could be reached from MacArthur Blvd. Marker is near the vistors Center at Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 11710 MacArthur Blvd, Potomac MD 20854, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Great Falls Tavern (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Great Falls Tavern (within shouting distance of this marker); Washington Aqueduct (within shouting distance of this marker);
Also see . . . The Packet Boat Charles F. Mercer. Friends of Great Falls Tavern (Submitted on April 27, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 26, 2017
2. Boats Passing by Marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 26, 2017
3. Work Boats
Maintenance boats helped maintain the waterway by removing aquatic growth and debris, and responding to breaches and flood damage.
Close-up of photo on marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 26, 2017
4. Launches
At the turn of the 20th century small engine-powered boats called launches or crusiers were used to explore and conduct canal business.
Close-up of photo on marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 26, 2017
5. Packet Boats
Horse drawn packet boats provided commercial excursions and passenger transportation.
Close-up of photo on marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 26, 2017
6. Packet Boat Charles F. Mercer
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 26, 2017
7. Packet Boats
Packet Boats were boats for carrying people. Some of them were excursion boats — going to tourist sites like the Great Falls. Others were like mass transit — carrying passengers for a fee along the entire canal. Cramped and often crowded, but they were better than walking.
Model in Great Falls Tavern Museum
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 26, 2017
8. Work Scows
Work Scows moved up and down the canal so that maintenance crews could make repairs. If a boatman saw a work scow, he knew that something was wrong with the canal that might delay his trip — he hoped that the crew fixed the problem so that he could be on his way.
Model in Great Falls Tavern Museum
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 26, 2017
9. Cargo Boats
Cargo Boats were the essence of the C&O Canal. Designed to carry as much cargo as possible, these 90 foot long boats carried lumber stone, and coal — the most common cargo. Most of the boats were operated by families. The parents steered and operated the boat, and the children led the mules. It would take about a week to go the entire canal with a cargo boat.
Model in Great Falls Tavern Museum
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 26, 2017
10. Two Certificates on the Packet Boat Charles F. Mercer
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 26, 2017
11. Two Certificates on the Packet Boat Charles F. Mercer
Certificate of Authenticity
The American Canal Society certifies that this canal boat Charles F. Mercer
has met our design criteria as a reasonably authentic historic replica of a canal boat or type of canal boat that operated in this vicinity in the nineteenth century.
2011
www.americancanals.org
This is a replica of the original certificate
Dedication Certificate
On September 9, 2006
Friends of the Historic Great Falls Tavern
Donated the Charles F. Mercer to the National Park Service
so that all may enjoy the experience of mule-powered transportation
Credits. This page was last revised on November 23, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 351 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 27, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 7, 8, 9. submitted on April 28, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 10, 11. submitted on May 2, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.