The Susquehanna and Tidewater Canal

The Susquehanna and Tidewater Canal. . , The 45-mile long Susquehanna (PA) and Tidewater (MD) Canal ran from Wrightsville, Pennsylvania to Havre de Grace, Maryland. The canal was built between 1835 and 1839 in order to improve commerce on the Susquehanna River. The new canal would connect the extensive Pennsylvania canal system with tidewater ports , primarily Baltimore and Philadelphia., The canal opened for business in May 1840. Raw materials such as coal, iron ore, flint, lumber, and grain were taken south to navigable water. Products including groceries, dry goods, and agricultural supplies were sent back., Traffic on the canal was very heavy, reaching its peak in 1864. Unfortunately, the canal was plagued by ongoing problems including lack of sufficient funds, legal disputes, railroad competition, and storm-related damage. Eventually the ravages of nature and the cost of repairs made continuation impractical. Pennsylvania's Susquehanna Canal never re-opened after a May 1894 flood. Maryland's Tidewater Canal continued operation for local traffic until about 1900., [Sidebar:] , The flag-bottomed canal boats averaged 65 feet in length and hauled as much as 150 tons. A pair of mules walking in single file would pull a boat at a maximum of 4 mph. At greater speeds the vessel's would cause damage to the canal's banks., [Captions:] , Barge going down the canal in the Deer Creek area. , Photo courtesy of the Harford County Historical Society., Towpath, mules, and a pair of barges in lock #4, heading north towards Pennsylvania. , Photo by Bertram N. Stump, courtesy of Harford County Historical Society.