D&H Canal History Cruise and Conversation with Bill Merchant
Coordinator: Jeanette TB
It was such a treat to take a ride on the Solaris, the Hudson River Maritime Museum’s quiet, solar powered boat. We cruised from the Maritime Museum up the Rondout Creek to the Eddyville Dam, close to the D&H Canal Lock 1. Our tour guide was D&H Canal Historical Society Historian and Curator Bill Merchant. Bill has an extensive knowledge of both the D&H Canal and the Rondout Creek. He treated us to stories about how the canal, which was built in the 1820’s, was used to transport anthracite coal from mines in northeastern PA to NYC via canalboats. The canal contained 108 locks over its 108 mile length, ending at Lock 1 in the Rondout Creek. Bill brought samples of anthracite coal, dolomite (mined locally and used to produce cement), and bluestone (from quarries near the Rondout). He pointed out the location of long-gone ice houses, the ruins of smokestacks of once busy cement-burning kilns, remnants of abandoned cement quarries and a cement barge, along with the fascinating history of Island Dock. It was a relaxing, educational tour! Fourteen ADK members attended: Lalita M, Shirley F, Carole M, Georgette W, Jean-Claude F, Ralph P, Sue M, Sayi N, Ellen Z, Judy B, Carol G, Dea M, Jonathan B, and the coordinator, Jeanette TB.