Canal Boats
1831 - 1932
"I remember one day, my dad grabbed both the driver and captain and threw them in the canal. My dog Buster, got one of the captains by the seat of the pants and really tore his pants off. He got his wife to steer while he went in the cabin to get on another pair of pants—just by acting fresh."
Flora Henry
Locktender
Boatbuilding
American canal boats met standards as unique as their canals. Here, the preferred boat met Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company’s specifications of 87.5 feet long, 10.5 feet wide and 7.5 feet tall. The wooden “hinge” boats carried up to 100 tons of cargo.
Private boatyards built and repaired boats along the Delaware Canal at Uhlerstown, Erwinna, Upper Back Eddy, Point Pleasant, New Hope and Bristol. The major Company-owned boatyards operated in Weissport and Laury’s Station on the Lehigh Navigation.
Hinge Boats
Boat captains liked the flexibility of the “hinge” boat. They separated the two sections easily by removing center connecting pins. This boat effortlessly turned in the narrow Delaware Canal and handily hauled two types of freight. The two sections traveled on the inclined planes of New Jersey’s Morris Canal eliminating the need for load transfers.
Passing Rules
In 1833, rules established
When boats approached each other, difficulties sometimes arose. Fights often began when a faster boat could not pass a slower boat. After all, they made money by the load…and time was money.
[Photo captions, from top to bottom, read]
• "Hinge" boats were popular because they were more flexible. You can see both sections side by side at the top of the photograph
• A canal boat passes through New Hope. This proud "Chunker" captain owns his own boat—[?] on this canal.
• This 1856 photograph shows an unidentified locktender enjoying a rare restful moment on a canal boat.
Erected by Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor and Friends of the Delaware Canal.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Man-Made Features • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Canal (AKA Delaware Division of the Pennsylvania Canal) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1833.
Location.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. From Mountain to Market (here, next to this marker); The Canaler's Life (here, next to this marker); It's a Short Commute (here, next to this marker); The Lehigh Canal (a few steps from this marker); Easton & Nearby Heritage Attractions (a few steps from this marker); Making Tracks (a few steps from this marker); Anthracite Tidewater Canals (a few steps from this marker); From Waterways to Highways (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Easton.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. An identical marker
Also see . . .
1. Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor. (Submitted on November 3, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Canal History. (Submitted on November 3, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. A Brief History of the Delaware Canal. (Submitted on November 3, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2017. It was originally submitted on November 3, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 189 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 3, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.