Evening star., 1939-03-01
Early Days Of Canal
Recalled al Columbia
Historical meetinq
National Park Service
Aide Tells of Troffic
On Famed Waterway

Part of the old Chesapeake & Ohio
Canal, now undergoing restoration
by the Government, may be filled
with water by summer, Ronald F..
Lee, supervisor Of historical sites for
the National Park Service, last night
told the Columbia Historical Society.
meeting in the Mayflower Hotel.
Mr.. Lee gave an historic account
of the famous old canal, which in
the days of its usefulness provided
an important transportation route.
He showed lantern slide pictures
taken at various points of interest
along the canal.
An address also was delivered by
Allen c. Clark, president of the Co.
lumbia Historical Society, on George
Washington and Abraham Lincoln
in which he told of the noble char
acter of the two men. Mr.. Clark told
of shaking hands with President
Lincoln. In conclusion he declared:
"The facts of Lincoln's life and
the sacredness Of his memory are
too we'll known to warrant liberties
taken by the stage for theatrical
effect"
Tells Of Interest in Canal.
In his address Mr.. Lee told how
George Washington, after returning
from a military expedition from
Fort Duquesne in 1854. was one of
the first to become interested in the
possibility Of Potomac River canal
route.
In the beginning, Mr.. Lee pointed
out, consideration was given toward
running the canal through to con-
meet with the Ohio River. Washing
ton wrote letter to the Governor
of Virginia, Mr. Lee said. (which re-
veals how deeply the Potomac canal
project seemed involved in the eco
nomical and political destinies OF
the young republic" adding:
1T was necessary, Washington
pointed out, to apply the cement of
interest to bind all parts of the
Union together
IF this were not done, the Span
iards controlling the route to the
seaboard by the Mississippi River
and the British possessing the st.
Lawrence route might SOW the seeds
Of disunion in the West by offering
the American frontiersmen free use
Of these routes" Mr.. Lee said, In ex-
planning the opinion of that time.
Initiated in 1928.
The canal project, Mr.. Lee ex-
planned, finally was initiated on
July 4, 1923, when president John
Quincy Adams made the principal
address "at q ceremony" and lifted
the first shovelful. of earth" FL
nally, Mr.. Lee related, the canal was
in operation from the District to
Cumberland. Md. in 1850. Prior to
the Civil War;" he said, "the canal
boats came down to Georgetown
laden with grain, lumber, whisky
and coal. Northbound traffic was
much less in volume and consisted
mostly Of provisions and miscella-
neous manufactured goods" Mr.. Lee
said.
In the late Cos and 70s, Mr..
Lee said, 300 boats operated on
the canal. At one time he said an
average of about 1000 tons of coal
was brought down the canal annu-
ally. After 1904, he said, tonnage
declined and the canal ceased to be
used as water route in April, 1924,
when freshet tore great gashes in
its banks"
Present plans for restoration call
for the repair and reconditioning of
the "22-mile section from George
town to Senaca as an historic
waterway" Mr.. Lee explained. with
plans for the use of the canal above
Senaca in allegiance until experience
in the restored section has demon
strated the best use"
Mr.. Lee predicted the old canal,
OF great historical interest, will be-
come of great recreational value.
Vocal selections were sung at the
meeting by Mrs Elizabeth Kerr. con-
tralto. accompanied by Miss Betty
Parsons.