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Light canal boat

About

About
Canal Boats

Media Items

Media Items
Media Items
ItemID
wcco034
IDEntry
5766
Creator
E. B. Thompson
Rights
Public domain
Collection Location
C&O National Historic Park
Coverage
Maryland, 1824-1938
Body

This picture is of a light (empty) boat heading back up the canal in order to bring another load down to Georgetown. The person steering the boat is probably either the wife or daughter of the boat captain. Steering the boat was generally the job of the wife or children of the boat captain since it was a relatively easy job to do. Women were generally able to lean against the tiller and sew or wash at the same time.

Notes

Thompson 74