“Expressed in the concept’s of today’s world, people perceived the [Erie] canal as a combination of Disneyland, the Grand Canyon, and a high-tech laboratory in Silicon Valley” (325).
The Book
Bernstein introduces the reader to the “visionaries”, the men who identified the significance of a route to link the eastern seaboard with the inland areas of the colonies through the Appalachian Mountains. Trade, commerce, and preservation of national unity were all seen as motivations for the link. As early as 1724, the Mohawk River Valley in New York was recognized as the place for access to the west. About seventy years later, Elkanah Watson – an avid traveler who was enamored with canals – completed a survey of the Mohawk River to make it navigable, which led to a dramatic reduction in the cost of transporting goods.
From 1808-1817, support began to build for a canal that would link the New York City harbor with Lake Erie. The New York State Legislature appointed commissioners to survey the path, including DeWitt Clinton (a powerful New York politician and chief champion of the Erie Canal). Construction finally began on July 4, 1817; after years of delays due to political resistance and the War of 1812. The plan was for 363 miles, 83 locks, and 18 aqueducts at the cost of $4.9 million. Interestingly, at the time work began, “there was no one in the entire United States who could properly style himself as a professional ‘engineer’” (191).
The Erie Canal took eight years to complete. Work began in the middle, the easiest section, followed by the eastern and western sections. Workers dug the canal by hand, used gunpowder to blast through rock, and invented devices to quickly fell trees and remove trunks. When work ceased in October 1825, the celebrations began. On October 26, a caravan of canal boats left Buffalo, New York and floated the 363 miles to the New York Harbor. There were ceremonies in 20 towns and on November 4, Clinton poured water from Lake Erie into the Atlantic Ocean – the “wedding of the waters”.
The narrative of The Wedding of the Waters is easy to follow with first-hand accounts from those who played a large role in developing the Erie Canal and people who happened to travel the route, before and after construction. There are a lot of individuals to keep track of throughout the book; I often found myself wishing there was a character list that I could refer back to. Descriptive language helps the reader visualize the geography, which is extremely important to the story. Bernstein often provides additional context (i.e., population size, economics, politics of the time) to enhance the story. However, sometimes the context includes lengthy detours that aren’t necessary. In my opinion, the most interesting section was the last. It focused on the immediate and long-term impact of the Erie Canal: local, state, national, economic, innovation, and population.
The Place
My family visited in the summer, on a very hot day. It made me appreciate the experience of canal boat passengers as they would slowly float down the river. Park personnel, dressed in period clothing, work the lock, steer the boat, and guide the mules on the towpath. Visitors float about a mile down the original canal, through a quiet countryside. Back on land, you can explore the Isaac Ludwig Mill (a working water-powered saw and gristmill). The Canal Experience won’t take more than half a day, but provides a unique opportunity to experience history.
The canal boat operates
from May to October, similar to the actual operation times for the Erie Canal
in its heyday. The Isaac Ludwig Mill also operates during those months. The
days and times vary by month, so it’s best to check the website before
arriving. Tickets can be purchased online or at the ticket booth.
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