Erie Canal
The Shipping Innovation that Changed Trade in the U.S.
Background Information
It was built in 1825 by Irish laborers. It was first proposed by DeWitt Clinton, the governor of New York, then carried out by Benjamin Wright and other engineers. This new invention helped lower the cost of shipping and allowed the East to ship manufactured goods to the Midwest. It also provided jobs for many immigrants. This feat impacted to U.S. greatly in many ways. It was not used for many years, but in 1996 is was restored to commemorate the engineering achievement so many years before.
How It Works
The canal consist of 36 locks (levels). There are gates that let in water to change the water level. With each level, the barge, steamboat, etc, moves up or down with the water. The canal goes from Lake Erie to the Hudson River.