Schuylkill Canal
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The Schuylkill Canal, or Schuylkill Navigation, was a system of interconnected canals and slack-water pools along the Schuylkill River in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, built as a commercial waterway in the early 19th-century. Chartered in 1815, the navigation opened in 1825, to provide transportation and water power.
Schuylkill Navigation | |
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Specifications | |
Length | 90 miles (140 km) (originally 108 mi or 174 km) |
Maximum boat length | 110 ft 0 in (33.53 m) |
Maximum boat beam | 18 ft 0 in (5.49 m) (originally 13 ft 0 in or 3.96 m) (Size of Lock 60) |
Locks | 44 (originally 72) |
Maximum height above sea level | 618.75 ft (188.60 m) (above mid tide of Delaware River) |
Status | Mostly infilled |
Schuylkill Navigation Canal, Oakes Reach Section | |
Nearest city | Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
Coordinates | 40°07′57″N 75°30′09.5″W |
Area | 155.3 acres (62.8 ha) |
Built | 1821 |
Architect | Thomas Oakes |
NRHP reference No. | 88000462[1] |
Significant dates | |
Added to NRHP | May 6, 1988 |
Designated PHMC | September 4, 1994[2] |
History | |
Principal engineer | Thomas Oakes |
Construction began | 1815 |
Date completed | 1827 |
Date closed | 1947 |
Geography | |
Start point | 40°34′42″N 76°01′35″W (originally 40°41′37″N 76°09′52″W) (18 miles (29 km) above Port Clinton abandoned by December 1887) |
End point | 39°58′02″N 75°11′16″W |
At the time, the Schuylkill River was the least expensive and most efficient method of transporting bulk cargo, and cities on the U.S. East Coast were experiencing an energy crisis.[3] It fostered the mining of anthracite coal as the major source of industry between Pottsville and eastern markets. Along the tow-paths, mules pulled barges of coal from Port Carbon through the water gaps to Pottsville; locally to the port and markets of Philadelphia; and some then by ship or through additional New Jersey waterways, to New York City markets.
The Schuylkill Canal was in operation until 1931[4] and was almost completely filled in the 1950s.[5] Some remaining watered reaches are now used for recreation.