Union Canal (Pa.)

This manuscript describes observations and comparisons of various waterways engineering structures in eastern United States and the Rhineland of Germany. Detailed notations are made about the structures on the Schuylkill Navigation system above Reading, PA and the Louisville – Portland Canal system.

The lecture notes reflect an interesting view into the field of civil engineering at the turn of the twentieth century. The notes indicate that a student in civil engineering was expected to have a multidisciplinary diversity. Some examples given in the lectures illustrate the broad field of knowledge possessed by Professor Mansfield Merriman.

This collection contains documents reflecting a time frame from mid 18th century to mid 19th century. The Wetherill family was a Philadelphia Quaker family prominent in manufacture and civic leadership. The documents specifically indicate a family interest in the Philadelphia Water Works, the Schuylkill Navigation Company and promoting the establishment of the Schuylkill Canal.