Lambertville in Hunterdon County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Lambertville Outlet Lock

Photographed by Russell Galen, December 24, 2016

1. Lambertville Outlet Lock Marker

Inscription.

Lambertville Outlet Lock. . The outlet lock at this location was built to allow canal boats to pass between the Delaware and Raritan Canal and Pennsylvania's Delaware Canal. Canal boats loaded with coal from the Lehigh Valley would come down the Lehigh Canal to Easton, Pennsylvania, where they would transfer to the Delaware Canal. They would then navigate the Delaware Canal to New Hope, cross the Delaware River after being attached to a cable that was strung across the river, and enter the D&R Canal through this lock. From here, most of the boats passed through Trenton before going on to New Brunswick and then into New York Harbor.

This structure was built in 1848, fourteen years after the D&R Canal was opened, and was abandoned in 1912. During the peak years of operation for canals in Eastern United States, the two decades following the Civil War, this cable system was in constant use from the earliest morning until nightfall. In 1868 the Lambertville Beacon reported an average of 31 boats per day crossed the Delaware River via this cable. The mules were led up to the New Hope/Lambertville Bridge, crossed the river and then came clomping through town to be re-connected to the boats.

Boats were connected to the cable at an angle to the current (with the bow end of the boat upstream of the stern) so that the force of the current would propel the boat across the river. The angle was changed in relation to the force of the current.

The Belvidere-Delaware Railroad crossed the outlet lock on a fixed bridge that was high enough for boats to pass under.

The dam across the Delaware River downstream of this crossing was built to provide power to the Union Paper Mill in New Hope, to supply water to the lower half of the Delaware Canal and to make a pool in the Delaware River to facilitate the canal boat crossing.

The widening of the D&R Canal at this location was created to allow boats the room to make the 90 degree turn into the Outlet Lock and to provide room for boats to wait their turn for the crossing.

The outlet lock at this location was built to allow canal boats to pass between the Delaware & Raritan Canal and Pennsylvania's Delaware Canal. Canal boats loaded with coal from the Lehigh Valley would come down the Lehigh Canal to Easton, Pennsylvania, where they would transfer to the Delaware Canal. They would then navigate the Delaware Canal to New Hope, cross the Delaware River after being attached to a cable that was strung across the river, and enter the D&R Canal through this lock. From here, most of the boats passed through Trenton before going on to New Brunswick and then into New York Harbor.

Boats were connected to the cable at an angle to the current (with the bow end of the boat upstream of the stern) so that the force of the current would propel the boat across

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the river. The angle was changed in relation to the force of the current.

The Belvidere-Delaware Railroad crossed the outlet lock on a fixed bridge that was high enough for boats to pass under.

The widening of the D&R Canal at this location was created to allow boats the room to make the 90 degree turn into the Outlet Lock and to provide room for boats to wait their turn for the crossing.

Erected by New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Canal (AKA Delaware Division of the Pennsylvania Canal), and the Lehigh Canal series lists.

Location. 40° 21.525′ N, 74° 56.655′ W. Marker is in Lambertville, New Jersey, in Hunterdon County. It can be reached from Delaware and Raritan State Park Trail. At western terminus of Mt. Hope Street, walk left on Delaware & Raritan Canal Tow Path. Marker is

Photographed by Russell Galen, December 24, 2016

2. Lambertville Outlet Lock Marker

a few hundred feet down the towpath, on the right, downslope from the towpath. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lambertville NJ 08530, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New Jersey’s North Jersey,

specifically in Central Jersey,

and in the New York City Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Lambertville Railroad Shops (approx. ¼ mile away); Delaware Canal (approx. ¼ mile away in Pennsylvania); a different marker also named Delaware Canal (approx. ¼ mile away in Pennsylvania); Vansant House (approx. 0.4 miles away in Pennsylvania); Aquetong Creek (approx. 0.4 miles away in Pennsylvania); New Hope Mills (approx. 0.4 miles away in Pennsylvania); Ferry Landing (approx. half a mile away in Pennsylvania); D & R (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lambertville.

Photographed by Russell Galen, December 24, 2016

3. Lambertville Outlet Lock Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 27, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 26, 2016, by Russell Galen of Lambertville, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,519 times since then and 67 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 26, 2016, by Russell Galen of Lambertville, New Jersey. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.