About the Erie CanalAbdulkarim Malkadi

Outline

What is a Canal?

Why build Canal?

History and Background of Erie Canal.

What is a Canal?

A canal is an artificial waterway for navigation.

Why Build Canals?

Road A wagon could carry 1 ton for 12 miles in one day.

Cost 20 cents to carry 1 ton one mile.

Canal A canal boat could carry 100 tons for 30 miles in one day.

Cost 5 cents to carry 1 ton one mile.

Water is one of the cheapest ways to transport goods.

Comparing canal transport option with road, Early 1800’s

Section I: History & BackgroundErie Canal

Erie Canal

• Ran about 363 miles (584 km)

• From Albany to Buffalo

Boats were pulled by horses

History & Background

Erie Canal from Albany to Buffalo, 1817-1825

First proposed in 1724; discussed widely in late 1700s and early 1800s

Why did they need a canal?

Easiest way to cross Appalachian Mountains

Hudson River

Albany

Erie Canal

Buffalo

History & Background

Numbers :

The Erie Canal was thus completed in 8 years

It is cost $7,143,000.

Over 1,000 workers died of "swamp fever" (malaria)

Channel depths are 12 to 14 feet.

The canal consisted of 85 locks to manage a 500 feet (150 meter) rise in elevation from the Hudson River to Buffalo.

History & BackgroundYou used locks to allow boats to overcome the

change in elevation..

History & Background• The opening of the last lock on the canal was

celebrated on October 26, 1825 with a grand procession.

The Advantages of Erie Canal

Cut travel time in more than half.

Reduced the cost of shipping product by 90%.

Increased trade throughout the nation.

Allowed Buffalo to grow from just 200 people in 1820 to more than 18,000 people in 20 years.

Discussion Questions

Was Erie Canal the first canal of the world?

Why the afraid of project failure didn't stop them?

No! There were many canals in Europe before Erie canal.

The successes of the Canal du Midi in France (1681) and other canals in Europe encouraged to success of the project