Aqueducts on the C&O Canal

Aqueducts, like locks and other masonry structures, were called "works of art" by the canal board of directors.

There were no injuries to the passengers when the boat sank, but the local people collected free watermelons floating in the turning basin just above the aqueduct.

Some stone was boated down the river, and the rest by a wagon tramway, having oak rails covered with iron straps.

Recklessness among boatmen (usually because of speeding) resulted in accidents, damaging the sides of the aqueduct.

In March 1870, the board ordered that all boats should slow down 50 yards from the aqueduct, and stationed a watchman to ensure compliance, as well as printing handbills to that effect.

Since it uses two different kinds of arches: elliptical in the center, and Roman on the side, the two stresses do not balance each other, and are prone to failure.

Cited as "one of the worst built structures" on the canal, during construction the west pier was torn down and rebuilt.

In 2010 the National Park Service awarded a $3.93 million contract to Corman Construction to carry out the restoration work.

This aqueduct, made of local limestone, was damaged during the Civil War by Mosby's Raiders.

[2]: 79 On April 20, 1920, when the wall went out, boat #73 was returning to Cumberland after dropping off coal in Williamsport.

The wall collapsed, and Captain Myers was able to jump to safety before the boat fell through the break into the creek.

The structure spans 70 feet across Sideling Hill Creek, and marks the boundary between Washington and Allegany County.

Contracts were abandoned, work was restarted, and finally was completed in Summer 1850 at a cost of $28,119.51.

The Evitts Creek Aqueduct (#11) was begun in 1838, and finally completed in the Spring of 1850 at a cost of $45,986.00.