Photograph as originally submitted to this page in the Historical Marker Database www.HMdb.org. Click on photo to resize in browser. Scroll down to see metadata.

Photographer: Steve Stoessel
Taken: May 11, 2019
Caption: To See or Be Seen
Additional Description: This powerful searchlight was once on one the State’s tugs or maintenance vessels. Since the very first days of the Erie Canal, boats had large lanterns to help point the way during night time travels as the canal operated around the clock. In the canal’s narrow channels, boaters needed to see what other boats might be approaching out of the night to avoid collision. Then as now, the canal is notorious for foggy conditions and such beacons of light provided extra safety.

The State’s tugs, derrick boats and dredges have often been called on to work at night, sometimes under emergency conditions of high water and amidst flood debris. Lights such as these were essential.
Submitted: May 12, 2019, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.
Database Locator Identification Number: p474413
File Size: 3.474 Megabytes

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