NPS Photo

Canal children could fall off the boats and drown. They were literally tied to the boat to keep them safe.

This photo shows a canal family who lived on their boat. The cabins under the deck of the boat were hot and stuffy, so people tended to spend as much time up on deck as possible. The chains attaching the children to the boat allowed for considerable movement, but prevented them from falling into the canal.

Questions for Photo:

1. Look back at the canal boat drawing. What do you think it would have been like to grow up on a canal boat? What would have been the good parts? What would have been the bad ones? How would daily life have been different from your life today?