Vol. 1 Chapter XII

Set off for Oswego in a canal boat; it was called a packet-boat because it did not carry merchandise, but was a very small affair, about fifty feet long by eight wide. The captain of her was, however, in his own opinion, no small affair; he puffed and swelled until he looked larger than his boat. This personage, as soon as we were under weigh, sat down in the narrow cabin, before a small table; sent for this writing-desk, which was about the size of street organ, and, like himself, no small affair; ordered a bell to be rung in our ears to summon the passengers; and, then, taking down the names of four or five people, received the enormous sum of ten dollars passage-money. He then locked his desk with a key large enough for a street-door, ordered his steward to remove it, and went on deck to walk just three feet and return again. After all, there is nothing like being a captain.

Although many of the boats are laid up, there is still considerable traffic on this canal. We passed Rome, a village of two thousand inhabitants, at which number it has for many years been nearly stationary. This branch of the canal is, of course, cut through the levels, and we passed through swamps and wild forests; here and there some few acres were cleared, and a log-house was erected, looking very solitary and forlorn, surrounded by the stumps of the trees which had been felled, and which now lay corded up on the banks of the canal, ready to be disposed of. Wild and dreary as the country is, the mass of forest is gradually receding, and occasionally some solitary tree is left standing, throwing out its wide arms, and appearing as if in lamentation at its separation from its companions, with whom for centuries it had been in close fellowship.

Extremes meet: as I looked down from the roof of the boat upon the giants of the forest, which had for so many centuries reared their heads undisturbed, but now lay prostrate before civilisation, the same feelings were conjured up in my mind as when I have, in my wanderings, surveyed such fragments of dismembered empires as the ruins of Carthage or of Rome. There the reign of Art was over, and Nature had resumed her sway.. here Nature was deposed, and about to resign her throne to the usurper Art. By the bye, the mosquitoes of this district have reaped some benefit from the cutting of the canal here. Before these impervious forest retreats were thus pierced, they could not have tasted human blood; for ages it must have been unknown to them, even by tradition; and if they taxed all other boats on the canal as they did, ours, a canal share with them must be considerably above par, and highly profitable.

At five o’clock we arrived at Syracuse. I do detest these old names vamped up. Why do not the Americans take the Indian names? They need not be so very scrupulous about it; they have robbed the Indians of everything else.

After you pass Syracuse, the country wears a more populous and inviting appearance. Salina is a village built upon a salt spring, which has the greatest flow of water yet known, and this salt spring is the cause of the improved appearance of the country; the banks of the canal, for three miles, are lined with buildings for the boiling down of the salt water, which is supplied by a double row of wooden pipes. Boats are constantly employed up and down the canal, transporting wood for the supply of the furnaces. It is calculated that two hundred thousand cord of wood are required every year for the present produce; and as they estimate upon an average about sixty cord of wood per acre in these parts, those salt works are the means of yearly clearing away upwards of three thousand acres of land. Two million of bushels of salt are boiled down every year: it is packed in barrels, and transported by the canals and lakes to Canada, Michigan, Chicago, and the far West. When we reflect upon the number of people employed in the manufactories, and in cutting wood, and making barrels, and engaged on the lakes and canals in transporting the produce so many thousand miles, we must admire the spring to industry which has been created by this little, but bounteous, spring presented by nature.

The first sixty miles of this canal (I get on very slow with my description, but canal travelling is very slow), which is through a flat swampy forest, is without a lock; but after you pass Syracuse, you have to descend by locks to the Oswego river, and the same at every rapid of the river; in all, there is a fall of one hundred and sixty feet. Simple as locks are, I could not help reverting to the wild rapids at Trenton Falls, and reflecting upon how the ingenuity of man had so easily been able to overcome and control Nature! The locks did not detain us longÑthey never lose time in America. When the boat had entered the lock, and the gate was closed upon her, the water was let off with a rapidity which considerably affected her level, and her bows pointed downwards. I timed one lock with a fall of fifteen feet. From the time the gate was closed behind us until the lower one was opened for our egress, was exactly one minute and a quarter; and the boat sank down in the lock so rapidly as to give you the idea that she was scuttled and sinking.

The country round the Oswego is fertile and beautiful, and the river, with its islands, falls, and rapids, very picturesque. At one p.m. we arrived at the town of Oswego, on Lake Ontario; I was pleased with the journey, although, what with ducking to bridges, bites from mosquitoes, and the constant blowing of their unearthly horn with only one note, and which one must have been borrowed from the gamut of the infernal regions, I had had enough of it.

For the first time since my arrival in the country, no one, that is to say, on board the canal-boat, knew who I was. As we tracked above the Oswego river, I fell into conversation with a very agreeable person, who had joined us at Syracuse. We conversed the whole day, and I obtained much valuable information from him about the country: when we parted, he expressed a wish that we should meet again. He gave me his name and address, and when I gave my card in return, he looked at it, and then said, “I am most happy to make your acquaintance, sir; but I will confess that had I known with whom I had been conversing, I should not have spoken so freely upon certain points connected with the government and institutions of this country. This was American all over; they would conceal the truth, and then blame us because we do not find it out. I met him afterwards, but he never would enter into any detailed conversation with me.

Utica Daily Gazette, Friday, April 18, 1845

The Canal Packets. - We advise everyone, who has not already, to take a look at some one of the larger packet boats built within the last two years to ply on the canal between this place and Syracuse. Those who have not been through these "hundred footers," have no conception of the great advance which has been made to the comfort and style of canal traveling.

The cabins are not only so high that a six footer can walk through them erect, with his hat on, but are provided with ventilators, which secure a constant supply of fresh air in the usually crowded apartment. In finishing and furnishing the cabins nothing has been omitted that can add to their appearance or to the convenience of passengers.

The seats are well cushioned and the ladies' saloons carpeted, and provided with every needful appliance. At this time, the boats, having been freshly painted, repaired and furnished, are looking their best, and it is an effort to resist the inclination to take a trip in them, for the pleasure of the thing along. Among other improvements, we noticed, in the Onondaga. that a snug room has been provided at the end of the gentleman's cabin, which in unpleasant weather on deck, will answer for those passengers who rely upon that great resource in canal traveling, smoking.

The great discomfort in traveling on the canals is in the sleeping. The introduction of ventilators has greatly improved this, although we confess it still requires a person of remarkably good nerves and insensible to snoring and not particular as to bed fellows, to make a comfortable night aboard a packet boat.

The best that can be said of it is, that there is no danger of being blown up, burnt or wrecked. No disagreeables, however, attach today traveling on the boats. With good company, or a good book, sixty or eight miles can be accomplished in the pleasantest possible manner. We especially commend the notice of those who wish to make a short trip for pleasure, the day line between here and Syracuse. This leaves at six in the morning and reaches Syracuse at the same hour in the afternoon. The distance is 61 miles, and the fare, including meals, is but $1.50!

From Syracuse, west, there are connecting lines of excellent boats to Rochester and Buffalo. One of the boats from Syracuse is commanded by Capt. J. B. Cole, of this city, and those who are acquainted with him can appreciate the good fortune for happening to come right for taking his boat. At Syracuse also another route offers which has been rapidly gaining in popularity during the last few years. Two daily lines of packets run from Syracuse to Oswego, reaching the latter place in time for the steamboats on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence.

This is now the fashionable route to the Falls, and is generally adopted by travelers, either on their way to or from the great point of attraction.”

We subjoin a list of the canal packets running from this city, east and west, with the names of their respective commanders.

EASTERN BOATS.
8 A.M. and 7 P.M.

Utica, Capt. Dykeman; Montgomery, Brown; Schenectady, Capt. Rankins; Saratoga, Capt. Barney; Herkimer, Capt. Harter.

WESTERN BOATS.
4 P.M. and 6 A.M.

Onondaga. Capt. Myers; Oneida, Capt. Green; Syracuse, Capt. Tingley; Utica, Capt. Brandt.

Syracuse Daily Star, Monday, May 6, 1852

The Packet boats appear to be doing a good business this year, and we understand that thus far, the travel by that mode of conveyance is one third more this season than it has been before for several years. The Packet 'Monterey,' Capt. A. Luther, arrived here yesterday morning from Schenectady with over 80 passengers. The 'Monterey' is a superb boat and Capt. L. is polite and obliging to his passengers, and does everything that is in his power to make them comfortable and happty while on board.”

Syracuse Daily Journal, Sat., April 16, 1853

We notice that the boatmen are caulking and painting the boats lying in the Canal Basin, preparatory to the resumption of Spring navigation. Every thing now in the business line begins to wear a more cheerful aspect. Forwarders, boatment and business men generally, are looking forward to the opening of navigation with a great deal of interest.

Syracuse Evening Chronicle, April 21, 1853

No packets run east or or west this season, except the Jordan Packet, which commenced its trips yesterday.”

(Note: The Rochester & Syracuse Railroad was opened June 1, 1853 which essentially put the packetboats out of business).

Syracuse Daily Journal, Sat., April 23, 1853

The Jordan Transcript thus speaks of the neat little packet which runs between this City and Jordan: The packet boat Norwich commenced, on Wednesday last, her regular trips for the season, between this place and Syracuse. Such a communication between these places is a matter of great convenience and accommodation, for, besides the pleasant ride one may have, there are many who can not always go themselves, and would be glad of the opportunity to send by some one whom they can reply upon to do their business correctly. Such an opportunity will now occur daily, as every thing entrusted to the care of Mr. Carson, the Captain, will be as promptly attended to as thou you went in person. Those who desire a pleasant and agreeable trip to Syracuse, where they can remain some four hours, and return the same evening, will not neglect to take the packet, which leaves here at 7 A.M., and returns at 7 1/2 P.M.

Syracuse Daily Journal, Wed., April 27, 1853

The total amount of tolls taken in at the Canal Collector's office in this city, up to 10 o'clock yesterday morning, was $2.042.21.

The Canal is now in good order east of the City, and loaded boats have continued to arrive from New York since Monday noon. No boats, however, had reached here from farther west than Rochester, yesterday afternoon. The first boat through was the "City of Albany," from Albany. Business is not yet lively.

Syracuse Daily Journal, Sat., April 30, 1853

Large Break in the Canal

A break occurred in the Erie Canal, near the village of Orville, about six miles east of this city, on Thursday, and so rapidly was the bank washed away, that in a short time about twenty feet of the heel path was entirely destroyed. Nearly one hundred feet of the toepath (sic) was also much injured. The break is just at the east end of the aqueduct over the Butternut Creek, and the earth is washed away to such an extent, as to leave a large part of the wall exposed.

A large force of workmen are engaged in repairing it, and it is supposed that it will be finished sometime tonight, but it is exceedingly doubtful. Boats are "laying up" for a great distance on each side. The Packet Basin in front of our office is full of fine looking boats.

When the break occurred, the boat John Adams, from Buffalo, loaded with pork going east, happened to be passing, but so rapid was the passage of the water through the break, that she was broken fairly in two. The bow, we are informed, stands almost perpendicular. We did not learn the amount of the loss.

Syracuse Daily Journal, Tuesday, May 10, 1853

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The Canal gave way about 4 o'clock Sunday afernoon, near Orville, at the place where the large break occurred a few days ago, and has caused nearly as bad a breach as the former one. About sixty or seventy feet of the berme embankment, just east of the Aqueduct over the Butternut Creek, are entirely washed away.

The channel of the Canal is also cut out badly for nearly three hundred feet, and the tow path slightly injured for some distance. The walls of the Aqueduct, which is an old one, are cracked some, and one of the abutments started considerably, although there are no fears that it will give way.

Dams have been built, allowing boats to lie on the level on each side of the break. The work of repairing commenced briskly yesterday morning, by large force of workmen and teams, and it is thought the embankment will be thrown up so that boats can pass tomorrow morning. There is however some doubt the work being completed in so short a time. We learn that the break is too serious to admit it.

At the time the break occurred, Superintendent King was on the bank examining the late repairs, which were pronounced good by the experienced. Boats are lying up fast, and before night the level through this city will be full.

Syracuse Daily Journal, Friday, May 13, 1853

The Break at the Orville Aqueduct is entirely repaired, and boats are now passing quite rapidly. The first one which passed was the "E. Leaman," of Reding, at 12 o'clock Wednesday night. Business again looks lively, and we hope it will be long before it will be suspended by a similar, or any other cause.

The amount of toll received at the Collector's office up to 10 o'clock yesterday, was only $76.80, showing what effect the break had upon business.

A great deal of praise is due to the Canal Officers for their indefatigable exertions to repair the break at the speediest possible moment. No one of them, we are assured, took any rest, or changed their clothes from the occurrence of the break, until every thing was ready for the passage of boats.

The system of numbering each boat as it came up was admirable, preventing all attempts to get locked through out of place, and consequently many fights and rows.

Every boat on the level through this City had left before yesterday afternoon.

Syracuse Daily Journal, Mon., May 23, 1853

On Thursday last, while the packet boat Norwich was making her regular trip between Jordan and Syracuse, she came in collision with a large, loaded boat and sunk in a short time. Mr. Carson, we understand, will soon be on hand with another "craft," to take the place of the Norwich.”

Syracuse Daily Journal, Wed., June 1, 1853

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A break occurred in the Erie Canal at 1 o'clock, on Sunday morning, at Kings and Adams' Basin, about 15 miles west of Rochester.

A despatch to the Albany Journal states that a culvert has gone out with forty yards of the heel and tow path, and forty feet of the bottom. It will take at least from eight to ten days, and it may be a longer time, to repair it, owing to the absence of teams and men.

The Rochester Democrat gives the following account of it:

A large culvert near that place has given way, and the towing-path and berm bank have both been carried away for several yards. Two boats, one loaded with coal and the other having a cargo of Railroad iron, were drawn into the gulf, and it was found necessary to break them up in order to remove them. The water in the long level was rapidly reduced by this outlet, and loaded boats were soon aground. Dams were at once constructed, however, and the channel at this point is nearly full again. Boats will be able to ply Eastward from this place without hindrance.

We regret to learn that Mr. Warner, the Superintendent, is now sick, and unable to attend to the repairing of the break. The work, however, will be prosecuted with despatch, and with good weather and other circumstances favorable, the break will be mended in from six to ten days - probably two or three days within the latter period.

We shall have further accounts for our morning edition.

The Union of last evening has the following:

The boat "F.V.D. Horton," of the Eckford Line, bound to Buffalo with a cargo of Railroad iron, was carried into the breach and left a complete wreck. The scow boat "Estes," of Jordan, laden with coal, shared the same fate. The cargo of both boats have been removed, and the boats destroyed to get at the culvert. the scow boat "S. Pratt," laden with cement, was also partially drawn into the breach, but she will be saved.

From the Troy Whig, Thursday, Jan. 10, 1873

A young lad, poorly clad in a starving condition, wondered into the first precinct station house yesterday afternoon in search of something to eat and a place to rest his weary frame. Captain Quigley interrogated the unfortunate stranger, and gleaned the following facts in regard to his past life and adventures. The lad is seventeen years of age and his name is Wolcott Tier.

Two years ago he lived happily at his home in Oswego, but his father died and his mother married a man by the name of Andrew View. His stepfather had no sooner taken possession of the house than he laid all kinds of plans to get rid of the boy.

For scarcely any cause whatever, he would whip him, notwithstanding the earnest protestations of the mother, who was also abused by him for interfering in her son's behalf. He stood the treatment for two months and then resolved to leave the house and earn a living at some other place.

He informed his stepfather of his intentions and the latter encouraged his resolution and told him never to enter the house again. He accordingly left one cold night in December, 1871, after bidding his broken hearted mother farewell, promising her he would return sometime, in better circumstances. But his expectations have not been realized, as his career since that time has been attended with a series of misfortunes.

He first went to Syracuse where he worked until the canal opened, then obtaining a position as driver he remained on the tow path until he became tired of the drudgery of his vocation knowing well that he was capable of better work.

Finally he concluded that he would return once more to his home. His mother entreated her husband to let him remain, as he promised to use every endeavor to make himself useful in the future, but her appeal was in vain. He stayed in Oswego for some time and was often in sight of his mother's house, but never after that time did he enter it.

When the canal was opened last spring, necessity, not choice, compelled him to return again, as driver for a canal boat. He procured a position in that capacity on the boat "A. D. Hoyt," and was promised $15 a month and his board. The captain, however, took advantage of his condition, and only at times could he obtain money, and then in small quantities.

The summer passed and his boat was among the last that came down the Erie Canal from Buffalo. On reaching New York the captain decamped and the employees, Tier among the rest, were left in a strange city without a cent. He has managed, since that time, barely to keep himself alive, and yesterday arrived in Troy exhausted and discouraged.

Captain Quigley kindly gave him a place to sleep and afterward had him taken to the county house. He is willing to work, but ever since he left home, which now has a "serpent on the hearth," he has been running again running against the stream until at last he has been obliged to give up.

Syracuse Post-Standard, Sunday, Aug. 9, 1903

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Fifty Years Ago Recalled by Discussion of
Utility of Canals

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NEWARK, N.Y., AUG. 8. - In these days when the utility of the canals is being extensively discussed in Central New York, some description of the passenger service of half a century ago will be of interest.

Captain Chilon B. Lusk, one of the oldest residents of this village, has many interesting reminiscences concerning the line boat and packet boat service on the Erie canal, when the canal, as he says, was no more than a creek. Mr. Lusk is probably one of the oldest boatmen in this part of the state, having been retired from the business some twenty years.

Mr. Lusk's description of the packet boat and line boat's service is highly entertaining, as there are few alive today who owned boats and carried passengers at the time when the railroads were in their infancy, and the main line of the New York Central had not been built.

The competition was mainly between the different line boats, transportation companies and the then fast packets. The captain of a packet would often bribe the driver of the packet ahead of him to go slower in order that his boat might reach the dock first.

Mr. Lusk commenced boating when very young as a cabin boy on a line boat. He afterwards became owner of a line boat which he chartered in the Evans Transportation Company of Albany, running from Albany to Buffalo.

The line boats were larger than the packet boats and were drawn by two horses. They were built to carry passengers and their luggage, comprising sometimes all their household goods, as many people were then emigrating to the West. The line boats charged 1 1/2 cents per mile transportation, including board and lodging. Boats were often stalled among other boats for several days and if it had not been for the high rate charged for luggage the transportation companies would have been candidates for bankruptcy. No extra charge for meals during such delays was made.

Among the line boat transportation companies of that day were the Western, New York & Erie, New York & Ohio, Troy & Erie, Troy & Ohio. The line boats stopped anywhere along the canal to take on passengers. Many of the people after residing in the West for eight or ten years returned by these boats with a forlorn expression and wearing the same hats as they wore when they went West except possibly, some new trimming.

Greatly to Mr. Lusk's indignation on one trip the transportation company filled his boat with emigrants to the number of 100 and he had a narrow escape from death at the hands of one of the emigrants before they were landed at Buffalo. It was his duty to collect tickets from such as had them and money from such as had not.

Asking a fierce looking Italian for his ticket he was told that he had none, and while endeavoring to collect the fare the Italian drew a knife and made for Mr. Lusk, who quickly escaped to the deck, preferring to let the Italian have free passage than run further risk of his life.

The packet boat were built for fast travel and did not carry freight. They were about eighty feet long and twenty feet wide and painted white with red and green. The interior was elaborate for those days. At the front of the boat was a state room for the ladies, at the rear was a kitchen, while a long table on which meals were served occupied the center of the boat. On each side of the boat were three tiers of berths which were made up at night, the passengers going on deck during the process. A curtain separated the women from the men.

For the trip 2 1/2 cents a mile, including board and lodging, was charged, the boats making about six miles per hour, drawn by three horses in tandem. A packet went west in the morning and east in the evening, the trips being from Schenectady to Utica, Utica to Syracuse, Syracuse to Rochester, Rochester to Buffalo.

Some of the packet boat captains who were from this village are: Dan Bromley, who ran a boat from Rochester to Buffalo; Captain Hull and Captain Lyon, between Syracuse and Rochester. The cooks on the packet boats were generally colored.