Canal boats were 90 to 95 feet long, approximately 6 feet high, and roughly 14.5 feet wide, only inches narrower than the locks. Each of the hatches were about 4 feet wide and the cargo was packed tight and covered. Usually the boats were built of pine, with oak bottoms. Mules were the normal mode of power for canal boats. Boaters used two mules at a time and had to carry the animals feed. The teams were changed every few hours.

Questions for Canal Boat Drawing

1. How efficient do you think canal boats were?

2. What type of jobs do you think a typical canal boat would require?