Surveying the Erie
Images & Video
The Original Erie Canal had three high-spots. Can you find them on this 1832 profile?
(larger images of both)
Each of those three high-spots needed a source of water that was higher than they were. Finding those sources was one of the most important jobs of the early surveyors of the canal.
Early surveyor's transits like this one were used to lay out the course of the original Erie Canal across New York State. Though
cutting-edge for their day, these instruments were primitive by modern standards, and were prone to errors due to careless use and to rough
handling (e.g. being carried on horseback).
Even without errors, the task of finding a level route for a canal in that day was a daunting one. Transits were "line of sight" tools and New York State was a wilderness of trees then. Their succeeding as they did - when they did - was an amazing engineering feat.
Even without errors, the task of finding a level route for a canal in that day was a daunting one. Transits were "line of sight" tools and New York State was a wilderness of trees then. Their succeeding as they did - when they did - was an amazing engineering feat.
