As a native of Cohoes, I found this very interesting. Wish the Historical Society would resurrect the old canal areas and make it a tourist attraction for Cohoes. Signage at the sites that are now roads and private. residences. Thanks.
This video presents a wonderful introduction to an important event in the history of the U.S.A. - the building of the Erie Canal. Also, the video shows that you can find in Cohoes, New York, many of the remarkably well-preserved remains of this example of American engineering skill.
Thank you Joe! I grew up on Central Avenue near Lock 9 in the late 50’s and early to mid 60’s. The video of Lock 9 brought back many memories of playing in, on and around the canal structure.
@sfbadboy Piff! ......... Tartaria/Tartarian Empire (conspiracy theory) much? A 4 foot deep pre-existing canal was dredged? Digging down 4 feet is not difficult! Graves are dug 6 feet deep! Most of the original Eire Canal, "Clinton's Ditch" (b.1817--1825) was dug through swamps and glacial till with the material thrown up on the sides to form the berm and towpath. (original canal prism was 40 feet wide across the top, 26 feet across the bottom and 4 feet deep; the towpath was about 12 feet wide). Upstate NY has a lot of limestone near the path of the original canal -- Clinton's Ditch Limestone was quarried for the lock walls. The Niagara escarpment was broken up with hot water on cold rocks and black (gun) powder blasting. The bits of rock were lifted by wooden-framed winches (just like in ancient times-- w/horses, mules, oxen) Most of the area had large trees that were cut down and the stumps pulled out (where the land had to be cleared) by basic wooden machines powered by horses, mules or oxen. Wood was used for the original lock doors and to build the machines on site. The "Englarged/improved" Erie Canal (b.1835 -- 1870's) was dug parallel to the original ("Clinton's Ditch") By 1835 steam powered digging machines and steam-powered winches were available. The improved canal was wider and deeper (6 - 7 feet deep) The third canal -- called the Barge Canal (b. 1903/05 -- 1918) was dug and the structures made by using concrete It is very wide and at least 12 feet deep.
