What was the name of the first steam-powered canal boat that navigated the Erie Canal?
- The Charles Wack
- The Gold Hunter
- The Niagara
- The Eclipse
Correct Answer: The Charles Wack
Correct Answer Explanation: The Charles Wack, built by a farmer named Charles Wack, was the first steamboat to make its way along the Erie Canal. The boat featured an Archimedean screw propeller.
What was the average speed of the Charles Wack when towing a boat?
- 1 mile per hour
- 2 miles per hour
- 3 miles per hour
- 4 miles per hour
Correct Answer: 2 miles per hour
Correct Answer Explanation: The Wack’s speed was largely impacted by the load it was carrying. When towing a boat, it averaged 2 miles per hour, but without a tow, its speed increased to 3.125 miles per hour.
What steam-powered canal boat was designed to be recessed into the stern of a horse-boat for return trips?
- The Charles Wack
- The Gold Hunter
- The Niagara
- The Eclipse
Correct Answer: The Gold Hunter
Correct Answer Explanation: The Gold Hunter was a unique boat designed to be transported between horse-boats for return trips. The idea was to save time by eliminating the need to travel back empty, but it was ultimately unsuccessful due to its inefficiency.
Which steam-powered canal boat featured a Cathcart propeller, combining the propeller and rudder for steering purposes?
- The Charles Wack
- The Gold Hunter
- The Niagara
- The Eclipse
Correct Answer: The Niagara
Correct Answer Explanation: The Niagara was an attempt to overcome the challenges of maneuvering steam-powered boats in the narrow canals. The Cathcart propeller aimed to improve steering, but the attempt proved to be unsuccessful.
What was the primary reason why steam-powered boats struggled to compete with horse-drawn boats on the Erie Canal?
- Steamboats were too expensive to operate.
- Steamboats were too slow.
- The narrowness of the canal and the design of canal boats made steam engines inefficient.
- The availability of horses made them a more reliable source of power.
Correct Answer: The narrowness of the canal and the design of canal boats made steam engines inefficient.
Correct Answer Explanation: The text highlights the challenges posed by the canal’s narrowness and the wide bows of canal boats. These factors created significant resistance for steam engines, making them less efficient than horse-drawn boats.
What was the name of the steam-powered boat that used a stern-wheel and vertical paddles?
- The Charles Wack
- The Gold Hunter
- The Niagara
- The H.K. Viele
Correct Answer: The H.K. Viele
Correct Answer Explanation: The H.K. Viele was considered by some to be potentially well-suited for canals, but it ultimately proved unsuccessful in its efficiency and practical application.
What was the name of the steam-powered boat built for towing purposes on Seneca Lake that was found to be too inefficient to operate on the canal?
- The Gold Hunter
- The Niagara
- The H.K. Viele
- The Fall Brook
Correct Answer: The Fall Brook
Correct Answer Explanation: The Fall Brook, built for towing purposes, was a prime example of how steam-powered boats could be inefficient on canals. Its power was wasted in the narrow channels, and it was eventually returned to lake duty where it performed better.
What type of propeller did the Charles Wack feature?
- Oscillating propeller
- Stern-wheel
- Archimedean screw propeller
- Twin-propellers
Correct Answer: Archimedean screw propeller
Correct Answer Explanation: The Charles Wack, a pioneering effort in canal steam-powered transportation, used an Archimedean screw propeller. This type of propeller uses a rotating screw to push water and propel the vessel forward.
What was the name of the steam-powered boat that featured a submerged centrifugal-acting water wheel for propulsion?
- The Gold Hunter
- The Niagara
- The H.K. Viele
- The Oswego
Correct Answer: The Oswego
Correct Answer Explanation: The Oswego was an attempt to introduce a different kind of propulsion system for steam-powered canal boats. However, the submerged centrifugal-acting water wheel did not prove to be effective, and the boat was eventually restored to horse-drawn transportation.
What was the primary limitation that hindered the success of steam-powered boats on the Erie Canal?
- The lack of skilled engineers
- The cost of maintaining steam engines
- The inability to effectively utilize steam engine power in the narrow canals
- The lack of public support for steam-powered boats
Correct Answer: The inability to effectively utilize steam engine power in the narrow canals
Correct Answer Explanation: The narrowness of the canal and the design of canal boats created significant resistance to the movement of steam-powered boats. This resulted in a large amount of energy wasted, making steam-powered boats less efficient than their horse-drawn counterparts.
What was the average time it took for a horse-boat to travel from Buffalo to Troy?
- 3 days
- 5 days
- 7 days
- 9 days
Correct Answer: 5 days
Correct Answer Explanation: While the text does not state the average time, it states that the Ruggles, towing a boat, took 5.5 days from Buffalo to Troy. This provides an indication that horse-boats could consistently make the journey in under 6 days.
What was the average time it took for a steam-powered boat to travel from Buffalo to Troy?
- 3 days
- 5 days
- 7 days
- 9 days
Correct Answer: 7 days
Correct Answer Explanation: The text states that the Ruggles, towing a boat, took 5.5 days from Buffalo to Troy, while the Dawson and the Cathcart both made through trips from Buffalo to Troy with 5/6 horse cargo in about 7 days. This shows that steam-powered boats were generally slower than horse-boats for this journey.
What was the name of the iron boat with twin propellers at its bow that was designed to be superior for canal purposes but ultimately failed due to its mechanical design?
- The Gold Hunter
- The Niagara
- The H.K. Viele
- The Eureka
Correct Answer: The Eureka
Correct Answer Explanation: The Eureka was designed to be a superior canal boat with its iron construction and twin propellers. However, the mechanical currents generated by the propellers against the bow slowed the boat down, hindering its efficiency and ultimately leading to its failure.
What was the name of the steam-powered boat that featured twin propellers housed in channels on each side of the boat?
- The Gold Hunter
- The Niagara
- The H.K. Viele
- The George A. Feeter
Correct Answer: The George A. Feeter
Correct Answer Explanation: The George A. Feeter was another attempt to innovate with steam-powered canal boats. The twin propellers housed in channels were meant to improve propulsion, but the mechanical currents against the aft-sides of the channels significantly impacted its efficiency, leading to its failure.
What was the name of the steam boat built with twin propellers and compound engines, designed to be lighter and faster than traditional canal boats?
- The Gold Hunter
- The Niagara
- The H.K. Viele
- The Wm. Baxter
Correct Answer: The Wm. Baxter
Correct Answer Explanation: The Wm. Baxter was a prime example of how steamboats, even with innovative designs, could still struggle to compete with horse-boats. Despite its light weight and streamlined design, its construction and model were not suited for the canal environment, leading to its failure to achieve optimal efficiency.
What was the name of the common propeller steam boat that was less capable than the Ruggles of 1858?
- The Gold Hunter
- The Wm. Newman
- The Charles Hemjee
- The John Durston
Correct Answer: The Wm. Newman
Correct Answer Explanation: The Wm. Newman was a common propeller steam boat that failed to deliver the same level of efficiency as the earlier Ruggles steamboat. This further reinforces the challenges of implementing steam-powered boats on the Erie Canal.
What was the name of the steam boat with a tunnel-shaped propeller enclosure that was reported to be “very slow?”
- The Gold Hunter
- The Wm. Newman
- The Charles Hemjee
- The John Durston
Correct Answer: The Charles Hemjee
Correct Answer Explanation: The Charles Hemjee, with its tunnel-shaped propeller enclosure, was another attempt to improve steam-powered boat design. However, the effort fell short, and the boat was reported to be “very slow,” highlighting the ongoing challenges of achieving efficient steam-powered transport on the Erie Canal.
What was the name of the steam-powered boat that featured a propeller built into its rudder and driven by a vertical shaft?
- The Gold Hunter
- The Wm. Newman
- The Charles Hemjee
- The John Durston
Correct Answer: The John Durston
Correct Answer Explanation: The John Durston’s design, with a propeller built into the rudder, was another innovative approach to navigating the canal. However, the boat was deemed unfit for service, showcasing the ongoing struggle to find an effective solution for steam-powered boats on the Erie Canal.
What type of boat did the Gold Hunter travel alongside during its return trips?
- Another steam-powered boat
- A horse-drawn boat
- A sailing boat
- A raft
Correct Answer: A horse-drawn boat
Correct Answer Explanation: The Gold Hunter was designed to be transported between horse-boats for return trips. This unique design aimed to minimize time wasted by eliminating the need for an empty return journey.
What was the name of the steam-powered tug boat that was built by the Western Transportation Company?
- The Washington
- The Niagara
- The Eclipse
- The Charles Wack
Correct Answer: The Washington
Correct Answer Explanation: The Western Transportation Company, a major player in lake shipping, invested in steam-powered canal boats, including the Washington. This tugboat was a powerful vessel built to tow other boats on the canal, but ultimately, the company withdrew their efforts and abandoned their steam-powered canal boat ventures.
What was the average speed of the Sternburg, towing a boat, over 93 miles?
- 2 miles per hour
- 2.5 miles per hour
- 3 1/3 miles per hour
- 4 miles per hour
Correct Answer: 3 1/3 miles per hour
Correct Answer Explanation: The Sternburg, towing a boat, achieved an average speed of 3 1/3 miles per hour over 93 miles, illustrating the potential for steam-powered boats to deliver decent speeds under certain conditions.
What was the average time it took for the Ruggles, towing a boat, to travel from Buffalo to New York?
- 5.5 days
- 6 days 14 hours
- 7.5 days
- 8 days
Correct Answer: 6 days 14 hours
Correct Answer Explanation: The Ruggles, towing a boat, took 5.5 days to travel from Buffalo to Troy and an additional 1 day and 14 hours to reach New York, demonstrating the longer travel time needed to reach the final destination.
What was the average time it took for the Eclipse, without a tow, to travel from Buffalo to Troy?
- 5.5 days
- 6 days 14 hours
- 7.5 days
- 8 days
Correct Answer: 7.5 days
Correct Answer Explanation: The Eclipse, without a tow, took 7.5 days to travel from Buffalo to Troy. The boat was faster on the return trip, taking 5.5 days from Troy to Buffalo, highlighting the impact of load on speed.
What was the average time it took for the Gold Hunter, without a tow, to travel from Buffalo to Troy?
- 5.5 days
- 6 days 14 hours
- 7 days 5 hours
- 8 days
Correct Answer: 7 days 5 hours
Correct Answer Explanation: The Gold Hunter, without a tow, took 7 days 5 hours to travel from Buffalo to Troy. The boat’s unique design was intended to save time by eliminating empty return trips, but it ultimately fell short in terms of efficiency.
What was the average time it took for the Rotary, with half freight, to travel from Troy to Buffalo?
- 3 days 16 hours
- 4 days 4 hours
- 5 days 8 hours
- 6 days
Correct Answer: 4 days 4 hours
Correct Answer Explanation: The Rotary, a steam-powered boat with a rotary engine, was capable of making the journey from Troy to Buffalo in 4 days 4 hours when carrying half freight. This showcases the potential for steam-powered boats to deliver decent speeds under specific conditions.
What was the average time it took for the Bemis, a screw-tug with three boats, to travel from Buffalo to Schenectady?
- 4 days 4 hours
- 5 days 8 hours
- 6 days 14 hours
- 7 days 5 hours
Correct Answer: 5 days 8 hours
Correct Answer Explanation: The Bemis, a screw-tug with three boats, took 5 days 8 hours to travel from Buffalo to Schenectady, averaging 2.5 miles per hour. The boat’s ability to tow multiple boats showcases the potential of steam-powered boats for transporting goods.
What was the average time it took for the Washington, a screw-tug with three boats, to travel from Buffalo to Cohoes?
- 5 days 2 hours
- 6 days 14 hours
- 7 days 5 hours
- 8 days
Correct Answer: 5 days 2 hours
Correct Answer Explanation: The Washington, another powerful steam-powered tugboat built by the Western Transportation Company, took 5 days 2 hours to travel from Buffalo to Cohoes, averaging 2.75 miles per hour. However, despite its powerful capabilities, the company ultimately withdrew their steam-powered boats.
What was the average time it took for the Dan Brown, a screw-tug with three boats, to travel from Buffalo to Albany?
- 4 days 4 hours
- 5 days 8 hours
- 6 days
- 7 days 5 hours
Correct Answer: 6 days
Correct Answer Explanation: The Dan Brown, a screw-tug with three boats, took 6 days to travel from Buffalo to Albany, averaging 2.5 miles per hour. Its speed varied depending on the location, achieving a higher average of 4.67 miles per hour for the journey from Buffalo to Lockport.
What was the average time it took for the Dawson and the Cathcart, with 5/6 horse cargo, to travel from Buffalo to Troy?
- 5.5 days
- 6 days 14 hours
- 7 days
- 8 days
Correct Answer: 7 days
Correct Answer Explanation: The Dawson and the Cathcart, despite being different steam-powered boats, both took approximately 7 days to travel from Buffalo to Troy with 5/6 horse cargo. This highlights the consistency in travel time for steam-powered boats with similar loads.
What was the average time it took for the Port Byron, with 117 tons of freight, to travel from Troy to Buffalo?
- 5 days 2 hours
- 5 days 10.5 hours
- 6 days 14 hours
- 7 days 5 hours
Correct Answer: 5 days 10.5 hours
Correct Answer Explanation: The Port Byron, a steam-powered boat, took 5 days 10.5 hours to travel from Troy to Buffalo while carrying 117 tons of freight. This demonstrates the ability of steam-powered boats to transport significant amounts of cargo.
What was the average time it took for the Baxter, with half freight, to travel from Troy to Buffalo?
- 5 days 2 hours
- 5 days 10.5 hours
- 5 days 14 hours
- 6 days 14 hours
Correct Answer: 5 days 14 hours
Correct Answer Explanation: The Baxter, a twin-propeller steam boat with compound engines, took 5 days 14 hours to travel from Troy to Buffalo when carrying half freight. However, despite its advanced design, it ultimately failed to compete with horse-drawn boats in terms of efficiency.
What was the average time it took for the Baxter, on its first trip down, to travel from Buffalo to New York?
- 7 days 4 hours
- 8 days 13 hours
- 9 days
- 10 days
Correct Answer: 8 days 13 hours
Correct Answer Explanation: The Baxter, on its first trip down, took 7 days 4 hours to travel from Buffalo to West Troy and an additional 1 day and 13 hours to reach New York, highlighting the longer travel time needed to reach the final destination.
What was the average time it took for the Baxter, on its third trip down, to travel from Buffalo to New York?
- 7 days 4 hours
- 8 days 13 hours
- 9 days
- 10 days
Correct Answer: 9 days
Correct Answer Explanation: The Baxter, on its third trip down, took over 6 days to travel from Buffalo to Troy and an additional 2.25 days to reach New York, making the total journey slightly longer than its first trip. This highlights the variation in travel times due to factors like weather conditions and cargo loads.
What was the average time it took for the Wm. Newman to travel from New York to Buffalo with 120 tons of freight?
- 5 days 2 hours
- 6 days 14 hours
- 7 days 5 hours
- 8 days
Correct Answer: 8 days
Correct Answer Explanation: The Wm. Newman, a common propeller steam boat, took 8 days to travel from New York to Buffalo with 120 tons of freight. This shows that even with a lower cargo load, steam-powered boats still took a significant amount of time for long journeys.
What was the average time it took for the Baxter to travel from the Lakes to the Hudson?
- 5 days 2 hours
- 6 days 14 hours
- 7 days
- 8 days
Correct Answer: 7 days
Correct Answer Explanation: The Baxter, despite its design and innovations, averaged 7 days for its journey from the Lakes to the Hudson. This highlights the ongoing struggle to match the efficiency of horse-drawn boats for long-distance canal transportation.
What was the total distance traveled by the Wm. Newman from May 17th to November 7th?
- 3,000 miles
- 4,000 miles
- 5,000 miles
- 6,000 miles
Correct Answer: 5,000 miles
Correct Answer Explanation: The Wm. Newman, a common propeller steam boat, traveled a total of 5,000 miles between May 17th and November 7th, carrying a significant amount of freight. This demonstrates the potential of steam-powered boats for long-distance transportation, but their efficiency was still a major concern.
What was the total amount of freight carried by the Wm. Newman from May 17th to November 7th?
- 1,500 tons
- 2,000 tons
- 2,330 tons
- 2,500 tons
Correct Answer: 2,330 tons
Correct Answer Explanation: The Wm. Newman, during its 5,000-mile journey, transported a total of 2,330 tons of freight, demonstrating the cargo carrying capacity of steam-powered boats. However, the text notes that a horse-boat could have carried a larger amount of cargo in the same time period.
What was the total amount of freight carried by the Wm. Newman in an estimated 4 months?
- 1,000 tons
- 1,100 tons
- 1,200 tons
- 1,320 tons
Correct Answer: 1,320 tons
Correct Answer Explanation: Over a period of 4 months, the Wm. Newman transported a total of 1,320 tons of freight, a testament to its cargo carrying capabilities. However, the text points out that a horse-boat could have carried an even larger amount of freight in the same timeframe.
What was the total amount of freight carried by a horse-boat in an estimated 4 months?
- 1,100 tons
- 1,200 tons
- 1,320 tons
- 1,456 tons
Correct Answer: 1,456 tons
Correct Answer Explanation: Over a 4-month period, a horse-boat could have transported a total of 1,456 tons of freight, highlighting the greater efficiency of horse-drawn boats for cargo transportation on the Erie Canal. This underscores the persistent challenges that steam-powered boats faced in terms of efficiency and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional horse-drawn boats.
What was the name of the horse-boat that took less time to reach Buffalo from West Troy than the Baxter’s shortest time?
- The Gold Hunter
- The Niagara
- The H.K. Viele
- The Vosburg
Correct Answer: The Vosburg
Correct Answer Explanation: The Vosburg, a horse-boat, was able to make the journey from West Troy to Buffalo in a shorter time than the Baxter, even with its advanced steam-powered design. This demonstrates the continued competitive advantage of horse-drawn boats in specific situations.
What type of propeller did the Eclipse feature?
- Archimedean screw propeller
- Stern-wheel
- Oscillating propeller
- Twin-propellers
Correct Answer: Oscillating propeller
Correct Answer Explanation: The Eclipse featured an oscillating propeller, a type of propulsion that uses a propeller shaft that rotates back and forth. However, even with this innovative design, the Eclipse ultimately failed to deliver the desired efficiency on the Erie Canal.
What was the name of the steam-powered boat that had a “very slow” reputation?
- The Gold Hunter
- The Niagara
- The Charles Hemjee
- The Wm. Baxter
Correct Answer: The Charles Hemjee
Correct Answer Explanation: The Charles Hemjee, with its tunnel-shaped propeller enclosure, was known for its sluggish performance and was deemed to be “very slow” compared to other steam-powered boats. This further illustrates the challenges of designing steam-powered boats that could efficiently navigate the Erie Canal.
What was the name of the steam-powered boat that was built with a recessed propeller in its bow?
- The Gold Hunter
- The Niagara
- The H.K. Viele
- The George Barnard
Correct Answer: The George Barnard
Correct Answer Explanation: The George Barnard, later renamed Andrew H. Dawson, featured a propeller in its bow with a recess from the waterline. However, the design proved to be inefficient due to the strong current pushing against the incline of the boat’s bottom, hindering its progress.
What was the name of the steam-powered boat that had a stern-wheel and vertical paddles?
- The Gold Hunter
- The Niagara
- The H.K. Viele
- The Oswego
Correct Answer: The H.K. Viele
Correct Answer Explanation: The H.K. Viele was a steam-powered boat that used a stern-wheel and vertical, or eccentric, acting paddles for propulsion. This design was considered by some to be potentially well-suited for canals, but it ultimately failed to deliver the desired efficiency.
What was the primary conclusion drawn from the 1873 text regarding the implementation of steam-powered boats on the Erie Canal?
- Steam-powered boats were a superior mode of transportation on the Erie Canal.
- Steam-powered boats were a promising technology that needed further development.
- Despite numerous attempts, steam-powered boats failed to match the efficiency of horse-drawn boats.
- The Erie Canal was not suitable for any form of steam-powered transportation.
Correct Answer: Despite numerous attempts, steam-powered boats failed to match the efficiency of horse-drawn boats.
Correct Answer Explanation: The 1873 text concludes that despite significant investment and numerous attempts to adapt steam technology, it consistently fell short of the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of horse-drawn boats on the Erie Canal. The fundamental mechanical limitations and the inability to effectively utilize steam engine power in the narrow canal environment proved to be significant obstacles.