The Canaler's Life
1829 - 1942
"One thing, you were never bothered with insomnia. You rose about 3:30 a.m. and you wouldn't retire until 11:00 p.m.."
Joseph A. Lum
Mule driver
Imagine working 18 hours a day, six days a week! Canalers stopped only when the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company's locks closed: 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m., plus all day Sunday. (The company paid canalers by tons delivered, not by the day.) Fifty-three locks slowed boats down but frozen winters stopped traffic completely.
Canal boats held up to 100 tons of anthracite (hard coal) within their hull. A tiny cabin housed the captain, sometimes even his entire family. Captains steered mule-powered boats between loading and delivery points, living on the boat the entire season. They traded anthracite for food, supplies and services while "locking through" canal communities. This not only made good use of "down" time, but eliminated the need for shopping time.
Two mules, single file, furnished enough power to keep the boat moving. An older son or hired hand kept the mules "on track" and properly fed (every 4 hours, typically). Canalers preferred mules to horses. They believed mules demonstrated more intelligence and strength.
Mules provided power for canal boats for more than a century, pulling boats
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Erected by Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, Bethlehem City and Township, and Carbon County.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 40° 36.975′ N, 75° 22.976′ W. Marker has been reported damaged. Marker is in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in Lehigh County. Marker is at the intersection of D&L Trail and Main Street, on the right when traveling west on D&L Trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 92 River St, Bethlehem PA 18015, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. It's a Short Commute (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Coal for Cabbage (about 600 feet away); A Water-Powered Elevator (about 800 feet away); From Mountain to Market (approx. 0.2 miles away); Continental Army Honored Dead (approx. 0.2 miles away); West Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Brethren's House (approx. 0.2 miles away); John Frederick Wolle (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bethlehem.
More about this marker. Unfortunately, the marker appears to have suffered heavy weather damage.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 6, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 6, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 120 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 6, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
