Published: October 23, 2009 09:57 pm      

CANAL DISCOVERY: Thomas Woodcock’s canal travels

In 1836, Thomas S. Woodcock made the trip from Schenectady to Buffalo and recorded his experience aboard a packet boat:

"These boats are about 70 feet long, and with the exception of the kitchen and bar, are occupied as a cabin. The forward part being the ladies' cabin is separated by a curtain, but at meal times this obstruction is removed, and the table is set the whole length of the boat. The table is supplied with every thing that is necessary and of the best quality with many of the luxuries of life.

“On finding we had so many passengers, I was at a loss to know how we should be accommodated with berths, as I saw no convenience for anything of the kind, but the Yankees, ever awake to contrivances, have managed to stow more in so small a space than I thought them capable of doing.

“The way they proceed is as follows — the Settees that go the whole length of the boat on each side unfold and form a cot bed. The space between this bed and the ceiling is so divided as to make room for two more. The upper berths are merely frames with sacking bottoms, one side of which has two projecting pins, which fit into sockets in the side of the boat. The other side has two cords attached one to each corner. These are suspended from hooks in the ceiling. The bedding is then placed upon them, the space between the berths being barely sufficient for a man to crawl in, and presenting the appearance of so many shelves. Much apprehension is always entertained by passengers when first seeing them, lest the cords should break. Such fears are however groundless.

“The berths are allotted according to the way bill, the first on the list having his first choice, and in changing boats the old passengers have the preference. The first night I tried an upper berth, but the air was so foul that I found myself sick when I awoke. Afterwards I chose an under berth and found no ill effects from the air.

“These boats have three horses, go at a quicker rate, and have the preference in going through the locks, carry no freight, are built extremely light, and have quite genteel men for their Captains, and use silver plate. The distance between Schenectady and Utica is 80 miles, the passage is $3.50, (about $69 today) which includes board. There are other boats called Line Boats that carry at a cheaper rate, being found for 2⁄3 of the price mentioned. They are larger boats, carry freight, have only two horses, and consequently do not go as quickly and moreover have not so select a company. Some boats go as low as 1 cent per mile.”

Doug Farley is director of the Erie Canal Discovery Center. Contact him at 434-7433. The Erie Canal Discovery Center is open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.