|
|
| Origins Route Sites Operations Boats Stories Credits Epitaph Home |
Operations The Cumberland and Oxford Canal opened on June 1st of 1830. With great fanfare, the Officers of the canal corporation rode the canal boat "George Washington" from Portland to the basin at Sebago. After nearly a decade of work a route was now open from Portland some 40 to 50 miles inland. The maintainance and repair of the canal were the responsibility of the Superintendant. The first of these was James Hall. His wage was set at $80.00 per month in cash, as opposed to stock as was originally agreed. Hall would play a great part in the development of waterways and railroads in Maine. As a trained engineer, he surveyed many routes throughout the state. He would remain with the C&O in one postition or another for 16 years. |
In 1836, Hall left his position as
superintendant to work part time for the C&O and the Board of Internal Improvements.
He was replaced by Levi Hall, of Great Falls. Jonathan Hanson took over in 1839 and was
replaced in 1841 by Lothrop Libby. Libby would provide some stability to the position,
remaining there for 15 years. He was paid $500.00 a year. The canal corporation kept a repair facility at Stroudwater. The Repair Basin contained a carpenters shop, blacksmith and other needed facilities. The corporation owned several boats. The repair crew had a boat and scow to haul materials. There were also a pair of canal boats that the corporation purchased to haul frieght. The titles to the boats were transfered to the Canal Bank as collateral for loans in 1830. The next year the directors decided to lease the canal boats only to find that they had been sold by the bank!! |
