Near Randall in Montgomery County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Giving Sal a Rest

The Erie Canal

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, June 11, 2024

1. Giving Sal a Rest Marker

Inscription. "I've got a mule, her name is Sal,
15 miles on the Erie Canal
She's a good old worker and a
good old pal,
15 miles on the Erie Canal
from "Low Bridge, Everybody Down"
a 1913 folk song by Thomas S. Allen

Such was the norm on the 19th-century Erie Canal. One of the many innovations of the Erie's 20th Century rebuilding was the use of mechanical motor power on boats. No longer were there towpaths for 'Sal' to pull along. Now tugs, or 'motor ships' pulled or pushed the Erie's freight - now much larger and much heavier.

The most important part of these vessels is the propeller, providing the force to push through the water. Their sizes and shapes were matched to the individual characteristics of the vessel, from small buoy boats to large motor ships.
Photo by Fred Wehner, Tug 44

Erected by Pathway Through History, I ❤️ NY.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.

Location. 42° 54.981′ N, 74° 26.788′ W. Marker is near Randall, New York, in Montgomery County. It can be reached from New York State Thruway (Interstate 90) when traveling west. Marker is at the Mohawk Valley Welcome Center.

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Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fultonville NY 12072, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York

and in the Mohawk Valley.

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 the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: History of the Buoy Boat (a few steps from this marker); The Mohawk Valley (a few steps from this marker); The Second Locking (a few steps from this marker); Bollards (within shouting distance of this marker); Transportation is King / Modernization (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Mohawk Valley (within shouting distance of this marker); Then and Now (within shouting distance of this marker); The Erie Canal (within shouting distance of this marker).

Also see . . . New York State Canal System (Wikipedia). (Submitted on July 1, 2024, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.)

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, June 11, 2024

2. Giving Sal a Rest Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 1, 2024, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 187 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 1, 2024, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.