Looking at topographical maps of the area in which the C&D canal is located suggests surface elevations immediately next to the canal of as much as 70 feet above sea level. Elevations of 100 feet above sea level are found nearby.
The canal, with four locks and a water depth of ten feet, opened for business in 1829. Given the technology of the day it was probably not feasible to construct a ditch 70 feet deep, plus additional excavation below sea level to provide water depth in the canal itself. So the locks were installed to lift and lower vessels over a ridge of land 70 feet high. Advances in construction technology led to the canal being reconstructed at sea level, reopening in 1927. Additional construction in the 1960s and 1970s resulted in the current width (450 feet) and depth (35 feet) of the canal. Reportedly the canal handles about 40% of ship traffic in and out of the port of Baltimore so it serves a vital maritime purpose. About 25,000 vessels of all sizes pass through the canal each year.
Having transited the canal several times aboard JOHN W. BROWN, I can testify that there is no visual evidence of the earlier, higher-elevation canal.
Ron Carlson, Webmaster
Armed Guard / Merchant Marine website
www.armed-guard.com
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