Figure 1.--
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Figure 1.-- |
As European economies developed, the existing rivers proved in adequate to the needs of commerce. Canals were buolt in England, France, and elsewhere in Europe. The canals played a major role in the early phase of the industrial revolution in Europe. Extensive canal construction began in England during the mid-18th century. The Duke Bridgewater at age 22 began the constructiin of canals hen he deciuded to connect his coalmines with cotton mills in Manchester 6 miles distant. The canal eventually extended 46 miles. The cost was enormous and the Duke had to sell his estates and borrow momey. He engaged a millwright, James Brindley, to construct his canal. Brindley had no formal education, but was inventive. He reportedly modeled his aqueducts in cheese. His designs set the standard for canals in the English midlands. The Duke's canal accomodated wide river barges. Brindley worked on many other canals, designinging them more narrow to sav money in construction. Narrow canal barges wer bilt which required little water in relation to carrying capacity. Bridgewater finally opened his canal in 1761, making him a fortune and helping to inspire canal building projects throughout the Midlands. Joseph Wedgewood and other 18th century industrialists were impressed. The economic advantages were starteling. Coal delivered by land had cost 65 pence a ton, delivered by canal it only coist 35 pence. Wedgewood proceeded to organize a group of potters to finance a canal to connect their factories with Liverpool wearhouses. Wedgewood and other English potters had a large domestic market, but faced severe difficulties in shipping raw marials to their factories and the finished product to markets. [Hornik, pp. 53-54.] An extensive canal system was never built in America, but some canals were built in the early 19th century. The Eire Canal in particular played a major role in the economy of the northeast and the opening of the West.
We note that canals were built in many ancient civiliztion, both for irrigation and transportation. We note canals in China, Mesopotamia, and Egypy, but have few details at this time. We believe that in Europe after the fall of Rome that there was no extensive canal constuction until the 18th century with the advent of the industrial revolution. We have, however, no persued this subject yet.
After the fall of Rome, the extensive and swell maintained Roman road system fell into disrepair. Transporting merchadize and raw materials by land became increasingly unreliable. Not only did the roads declined, but crossing the masny different feudal fiefdoms involved dangers as did the bandits. Rivers became increasingly important as routes to transport cargo. In the process great nations formed around important rivers such as Austria (Danube), France (Seine), Germany (Rhine), and Russia (Volga and he Dnipper).
As European economies developed, the existing rivers proved in adequate to the needs of commerce. Canals were built in England, France, and elsewhere in Europe. The canals played a major role in the early phase of the industrial revolution in Europe. Canals were built as to support new developing industries and in return played a major role in opening new markes for those industries.
Extensive canal construction in Europe began in England as the industrial revolution begam and spread to France and other European countries as the industrial revolution spread to the continent.
Extensive canal construction began in England during the mid-18th century. The Duke Bridgewater at age 22 began the constructiin of canals hen he deciuded to connect his coalmines with cotton mills in Manchester 6 miles distant. The canal eventually extended 46 miles. The cost was enormous and the Duke had to sell his estates and borrow momey. He engaged a millwright, James Brindley, to construct his canal. Brindley had no formal education, but was inventive. He reportedly modeled his aqueducts in cheese. His designs set the standard for canals in the English midlands. The Duke's canal accomodated wide river barges. Brindley worked on many other canals, designinging them more narrow to sav money in construction. Narrow canal barges wer bilt which required little water in relation to carrying capacity. Bridgewater finally opened his canal in 1761, making him a fortune and helping to inspire canal building projects throughout the Midlands. Joseph Wedgewood and other 18th century industrialists were impressed. The economic advantages were starteling. Coal delivered by land had cost 65 pence a ton, delivered by canal it only coist 35 pence. Wedgewood proceeded to organize a group of potters to finance a canal to connect their factories with Liverpool wearhouses. Wedgewood and other English potters had a large domestic market, but faced severe difficulties in shipping raw marials to their factories and the finished product to markets. [Hornik, pp. 53-54.]
An extensive canal system was never built in America, but some canals were built in the early 19th century. The Eire Canal in particular played a major role in the economy of the northeast and the opening of the West.
Hornik, Susan. "A float with fly boats & leggers," Smithsonian, June 2000, pp. 50-58.
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