Day 235 - June 17, 2013: Back to the Waterford Docks

Today we were excited to learn that we could move back through Lock #2 onto the Waterford city dock, but disheartened to learn that it might be 10 more days before the Erie Canal would be opened. It was a little like sweet and sour chicken. All of us were anxious about whether there would be enough room for our boats on the floating docks with power and water, or whether some boats would end up on the sea wall with no services. This is the only creature I saw that surely didn't give a hoot either way.

What's all the fuss?

In getting ready to lock down, we saw the Lois McClure, a full-scale, all wooden replica of an 1862 class sailing canal boat that was hand-built and is operated by the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. These barges were owned by families that lived aboard and hauled up to 110 tons of cargo throughout the canal system. These barges had no engines, and they weren't necessary in the canals because they were towed by mules. However, they were unusual in that when they got into Lake Champlain, they could hoist sails and lower a centerboard to sail across. You can see the masts stowed on top.

The tug next to her is the C. L. Churchill which is a 1964, 34-foot, all wooden tug, originally powered by steam and later a Ford Lehman 120 diesel. It was recently hauled and the hull re-planked, and now tows the Lois McClure throughout the canal system educating the public and giving tours.

I believe this style tug was the inspiration for the American Tug boats built today. Similar hull lines, pilot house with doors, a smoke stack, rectangular rear cabin windows, and an open cockpit.

Lois McClure

Wooden hull 34, C. L. Churchill

American Tug 34, Great Laker

This evening, all the boaters and the canal workers got together for a potluck-style dinner after which the museum agreed to open the Lois McLure and the C. L. Churchill for us to tour.

Loopers barbecue for the canal workers