Conewago Canal
Encyclopedia
The Conewago Canal, on the west bank of the Susquehanna River
below York Haven, Pennsylvania
, 11 miles (18 km) south of Harrisburg in York County, enabled late 18th and early 19th century rivercraft to safely bypass rapids at Conewago Falls. Work on the canal of less than 1 miles (1.6 km) began in 1793 and was completed in 1797. Robert Morris, a Philadelphia financier, organized the project, which was carried out by chief engineer James Brindley, the nephew of a well-known British engineer of the same name. Two lift locks overcame 19 feet (6 m) of elevation between the ends of the canal, and a guard lock blocked unwanted water, particularly during floods. Cargo could go upstream as well as down. A boat going upriver could navigate the canal in 37 minutes compared to the whole day it would take 30 or 40 men to pull it upriver along the bank. York Haven is at 40°06′39"N 76°42′57"W.
Despite the canal, flow variations limited the use of the river for shipping to a few months each year. In addition, river boat captains disliked paying the toll required to use the privately-owned canal. River arks, a kind of boat less susceptible to damage from rocks in the rapids, made it possible to run the rapids and avoid the toll. The Eastern Division of the Pennsylvania Canal, which ran between Columbia and the mouth of the Juniata River
, later bypassed this same section of the river.
s and Durham boat
s could transport cargo on these streams, but the Susquehanna's last 50 miles (80 km) or so to the Chesapeake Bay
were fast, shallow, and rocky. Until completion of the Conewago Canal, most boats stopped at Middletown
, unloading cargoes of lumber, wheat, and iron for shipment to Philadelphia over 100 miles (161 km) of poor road. Middletown, on the east bank of the river, and York Haven
on the west bank became important flour milling centers because shipping barrels of flour in wagons from the Susquehanna Valley to Philadelphia or Baltimore was less expensive than shipping unmilled loads of wheat. In 1791, the Pennsylvania legislature authorized funds to improve navigation on the Susquehanna River above Columbia to enhance trade to and from Philadelphia. Though privately funded, the Conewago Canal became part of these general plans.
Pennsylvania's plans for east–west trade also included an improved highway, the Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike
, 64 miles (103 km) of stone and gravel built by a private company in 1794. An extension of 10 miles (16 km) from Lancaster to Columbia and the Susquehanna River was added in 1803. After 1797, boats could use the Conewago Canal to bypass the rough water and continue to Columbia, where cargoes were unloaded for shipment by wagon. After 1803, improved road went all the way from Columbia to Philadelphia.
Susquehanna River
The Susquehanna River is a river located in the northeastern United States. At long, it is the longest river on the American east coast that drains into the Atlantic Ocean, and with its watershed it is the 16th largest river in the United States, and the longest river in the continental United...
below York Haven, Pennsylvania
York Haven, Pennsylvania
York Haven is a borough in York County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 709 at the 2010 census. The borough is the home of the Brunner Island coal-fired electrical generation plant, located on the Susquehanna River on Wago Road and operated by PPL.-Geography:York Haven is located at...
, 11 miles (18 km) south of Harrisburg in York County, enabled late 18th and early 19th century rivercraft to safely bypass rapids at Conewago Falls. Work on the canal of less than 1 miles (1.6 km) began in 1793 and was completed in 1797. Robert Morris, a Philadelphia financier, organized the project, which was carried out by chief engineer James Brindley, the nephew of a well-known British engineer of the same name. Two lift locks overcame 19 feet (6 m) of elevation between the ends of the canal, and a guard lock blocked unwanted water, particularly during floods. Cargo could go upstream as well as down. A boat going upriver could navigate the canal in 37 minutes compared to the whole day it would take 30 or 40 men to pull it upriver along the bank. York Haven is at 40°06′39"N 76°42′57"W.
Despite the canal, flow variations limited the use of the river for shipping to a few months each year. In addition, river boat captains disliked paying the toll required to use the privately-owned canal. River arks, a kind of boat less susceptible to damage from rocks in the rapids, made it possible to run the rapids and avoid the toll. The Eastern Division of the Pennsylvania Canal, which ran between Columbia and the mouth of the Juniata River
Juniata River
The Juniata River is a tributary of the Susquehanna River, approximately long, in central Pennsylvania in the United States. The river is considered scenic along much of its route, having a broad and shallow course passing through several mountain ridges and steeply-lined water gaps...
, later bypassed this same section of the river.
History
Because of the state's underlying geology, the Susquehanna River and its tributaries above Conewago Falls were more navigable than the lower river. Upstream, keelboatKeelboat
Keelboat has two distinct meanings related to two different types of boats: one a riverine cargo-capable working boat, and the other a classification for small- to mid-sized recreational sailing yachts.-Historical keel-boats:...
s and Durham boat
Durham Boat
The Durham boat was a large wooden boat produced by the Durham Boat Company of Durham, Pennsylvania, starting in 1750. They were designed by company owner Robert Durham to navigate the Delaware River and thus transport the products produced by the Durham Forges and Durham Mills to Trenton, New...
s could transport cargo on these streams, but the Susquehanna's last 50 miles (80 km) or so to the Chesapeake Bay
Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. It lies off the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by Maryland and Virginia. The Chesapeake Bay's drainage basin covers in the District of Columbia and parts of six states: New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West...
were fast, shallow, and rocky. Until completion of the Conewago Canal, most boats stopped at Middletown
Middletown, Pennsylvania
Middletown is the name of more than one location in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania:*Middletown, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania: 17057, of the Harrisburg metropolitan area*Middletown, Northampton County, Pennsylvania: 18017...
, unloading cargoes of lumber, wheat, and iron for shipment to Philadelphia over 100 miles (161 km) of poor road. Middletown, on the east bank of the river, and York Haven
York Haven, Pennsylvania
York Haven is a borough in York County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 709 at the 2010 census. The borough is the home of the Brunner Island coal-fired electrical generation plant, located on the Susquehanna River on Wago Road and operated by PPL.-Geography:York Haven is located at...
on the west bank became important flour milling centers because shipping barrels of flour in wagons from the Susquehanna Valley to Philadelphia or Baltimore was less expensive than shipping unmilled loads of wheat. In 1791, the Pennsylvania legislature authorized funds to improve navigation on the Susquehanna River above Columbia to enhance trade to and from Philadelphia. Though privately funded, the Conewago Canal became part of these general plans.
Pennsylvania's plans for east–west trade also included an improved highway, the Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike
Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike
The Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike, first used in 1795, is the first long-distance paved road built in the United States, according to engineered plans and specifications. It links Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and Philadelphia at 34th Street, stretching for sixty-two miles. However, the western...
, 64 miles (103 km) of stone and gravel built by a private company in 1794. An extension of 10 miles (16 km) from Lancaster to Columbia and the Susquehanna River was added in 1803. After 1797, boats could use the Conewago Canal to bypass the rough water and continue to Columbia, where cargoes were unloaded for shipment by wagon. After 1803, improved road went all the way from Columbia to Philadelphia.