 James River and Kanawha Canal - Legacy: Encyclopedia II - James River and Kanawha Canal - Building the canalThe James River Company, promoted by such men as George Washington, Edmund Randolph, and John Marshall, opened in 1790 the first commercial canal in the United States, stretching from Richmond to Westham and paralleling the James for seven miles. The canal supplemented existing bateaux transportation on the James River. Bateaux, flat-bottomed boats laden with tobacco hogsheads, floated down the James to Richmond and returned with French and English imports, furniture, dishes, and clothing. The canal boats were packets, which drew more water ...
See also:James River and Kanawha Canal, James River and Kanawha Canal - Planning a route to link western waters, James River and Kanawha Canal - Building the canal, James River and Kanawha Canal - Competing with railroads, James River and Kanawha Canal - Legacy Read more here: » James River and Kanawha Canal: Encyclopedia II - James River and Kanawha Canal - Building the canal |
