CHRONOLOGICAL RÉSUMÉ OF IMPORTANT LAWS AND EVENTS.


ERIE CANAL.

1768

December 16, – Governor Sir Henry Moore recommends improvement of the Mohawk river, but no action was taken by the General Assembly.

1784

November, – Plan of Christopher Colles for removing obstructions to the navigation of Mohawk river.

November 6, – Legislative committee commends plan of Colles, but deems its prosecution at public expense inexpedient.

1785

April 5, – $125 appropriated to enable Colles to essay removal of certain obstructions from Mohawk river.

1786

Jeffrey Smith introduces bill in Assembly for navigation, Wood creek, Mohawk and Onondaga rivers, "and if practicable extending the same to Lake Erie."

1791

Governor George Clinton urges upon the Legislature the necessity of improving natural water channels.

Joint committee advocates opening water communication between Mohawk river and Wood creek.

Chapter 53 – Commissioners Land Office to survey between Mohawk river, at Fort Stanwix, and Wood creek, and to prepare estimates for a canal.

Hardenburgh and Wright make survey.

1792

Chapter 40 – Western Inland Lock Navigation Co. incorporated to open navigation from the Hudson to Ontario and Seneca lakes.

Chapter 8 (2nd session) – Locks to be at least 70 x 10 ft.; navigation companies authorized to lease surplus waters.

January 3, – Commissioners report that the route from Albany to Seneca lake could be improved by locks and canals for $200,000.

Surveys made by Western Co., Schenectady to Wood creek.

1793

Chapter 49 – Right of way limited to 20 ft. each side of canal.

Work begun in April at Little Falls.

Wood creek cleared, straightened and improved and its length shortened more than 7 miles.

1795

Chapter 38 – State Treasurer instructed to subscribe for 200 shares Western Co.’s stock at £20 each.

1796

Chapter 61 – Western Co. loaned £15,000 by State, on mortgage security.

Western canals opened from Schenectady to Seneca Falls for boats of 16 tons burden.

Freight charges reduced from $100 to $33 per ton.

Little Falls locks completed.

Wm. Weston makes examination and proposes plans for canal-locks around Cohoes falls, estimating cost at $200.000.

1797

Chapter 36 – Western Co. authorized to borrow $250,000.

October 3, – Canal from Mohawk river to Wood creek completed.

Report of companies to Legislature, containing Weston’s report.

1798

Chapter 92 – Niagara Canal Co. incorporated, to construct a canal from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario, 6 miles long, 60 locks.

Chapter 101 – Western Co., allowed 5 years more.

1800

December 20, – Gouverneur Morris in a letter says ships may be made "to sail through the Hudson river to Lake Erie."

1802

Chapter 97 – Comptroller to accept shares Western Co. in payment of debts.

Western Co. proposes to improve navigation of Wood creek from Fort Stanwix to Little Canada creek, distant 6 miles, by a series of 4 locks and dams.

1803

Gouverneur Morris said to have urged the feasibility of "tapping Lake Erie and leading its waters across country to the Hudson river."

Surveys, plan and profile, improvement Wood creek from Fort Stanwix to Little Canada creek completed by Benjamin Wright, also surveys of Mohawk river from Fort Stanwix to Schenectady.

1806

Chapter 77 – Western Co. granted an extension of 7 years time.

1807

January 14, – Jesse Hawley, in Pittsburg (Pa.) Commonwealth, enunciates the Erie canal Idea, elaborating the same in Genesee Messenger in 14 articles, between October 27, 1807, and the following April.

1808

February 4, – Judge Joshua Forman offers a resolution in the Assembly for a canal joining the Hudson river and Lake Erie.

Survey ordered of a route between Hudson river and Lake Erie by Ontario and inland routes.

James Geddes appointed to make a survey from Hudson river to Lake Erie.

Chapter 222 – Grant west of Oneida lake, surrendered by Western Co. to State, accepted by State.

1809

January 20, - Report of James Geddes of explorations for canal route under concurrent resolution of March 21, and April 6, 1808.

1810

Commissioners appointed to examine inland waters by a joint resolution, March 13 and 15.

Chapter 193 – Appropriates $3,000 for use of the commissioners.

Gouverneur Morris, Stephen Van Rensselaer, Wm. North, De Witt Clinton, Thomas Eddy, P. B. Porter and Simeon De Witt appointed first commissioners.

General P. B. Porter, of New York, offers a resolution in Congress urging the appropriation of public lands in aid of the construction of roads and canals.

1811

Chapter 188 – Appoints 9 commissioners to consider the matter of improving internal navigation.

February, – Commission reports, Lake Erie to Hudson river 310 miles; 525 ft. fall; estimated cost about $5,000,000; on the inclined-plane principle.

Commission to invite co-operation of the United States and the individual states, $15,000 appropriated for their use.

December 23, – President Madison submits copies of chapter 188-1811 to Congress and invites its aid.

1812

Chapter 231. – Commissioners under chapter 188-1811 to borrow $5,000,000; also to purchase Western Co.’s property.

March 14, – Commissioners under chapter 188-1811 report; Western Co. demands $190,000 for their property.

Massachusetts, Tennessee, Vermont, Ohio pledge their aid; New Jersey, Michigan, Connecticut do not favor the project.

1814

Holland Land Co. offers conditionally to donate 100,632 acres of land in Cattaraugus County, in aid of canal.

Sections 3, 4, 5, of chapter 231-1812, giving commission power to raise $5,000,000, repealed.

Commissioners report engagement of Wm. Weston as engineer for proposed canal.

1816

Chapter 212 – Hudson and Mohawk Lock Navigation Co. incorporated, capital stock, $500,000.

Chapter 237 – 5 commissioners appointed to provide communication by canals and locks between the Hudson and Lake Erie and Lake Erie and Lake Champlain.

March 21, – Favorable report of commissioners appointed in 1811.

1817

Chapter 262 – Construction authorized Mohawk river to Seneca river; contiguous lands to be taxed; canal fund; commissioners of canal fund formed and canal commissioners continued; commissioners may purchase rights of Western Co.

February 15, – Commissioners appointed pursuant to chapter 237-1816 present surveys and estimates for both canals.

June 27, – First contract let.

July 4, – Ground for the canal first broken at Rome, with fitting ceremony.

58 miles of the canal put under contract during the year, all on the summit level.

About 15 miles of canal completed during the year.

1818

Chapter 23 – Chittenengo Canal Co. incorporated to build a canal from Chittenengo to the Erie canal.

Chapter 120 – Governor to appoint a commissioner to survey and plan a harbor in Buffalo creek.

Discovery in America of hydraulic cement by Canvass White.

1819

Chapter 104 – Appropriates $12,000 for harbor at Buffalo.

Chapter 105 – Completion of canal authorized Seneca river to Lake Erie and middle division to Hudson river, and canal laborers exempted from military duty.

Chapter 226 – Holland Land Co.’s grant of 100,632 acres of land in aid of canal accepted.

Work greatly retarded by an epidemic among the canal laborers, over 1,000 disabled in vicinity of Cayuga marshes.

Middle section of the canal from Utica to Seneca river and Salina side-cut completed, 98 miles.

December 10, – During past 4 months between 2,000 and 3,000 men with 500 teams and tools were employed in constructing the canal.

1820

Chapter 202 – Regulations for conduct on canal.

May, – Navigation opened on the middle section.

July 1, – Tolls first levied and collected.

Oct. 2, – Western Co.’s rights purchased by the State for $91,616.

Fifty-one miles of western division about half completed.

Work on eastern section begun.

Nine miles of western section filled with water.

1821

Chapter 36 – Commissioners to borrow not over $1,000,000 in 1821 and $1,000,000 in 1822.

Chapter 221 – Ontario Canal Co. incorporated to build a canal from Canandaigua lake to Erie canal.

Chapter 240 – Canal commissioners to act as canal appraisers.

Canal completed from Utica to Little Falls.

Fifty miles western section completed.

1822

Chapter 251 – Buffalo and Black Rock harbors to be improved

Chapter 273 – Canal material exempted from execution.

Chapter 274 – Speed on canal limited to 4 miles per hour.

Canal completed from Little Falls to Schenectady.

One hundred and twenty miles of navigation open.

Genesee river feeder completed, lock at head.

Collectors’ offices established.

Canal filled, Rochester to Pittsford; 180 miles open.

Feeder and aqueduct at Little Falls completed.

Schoharie creek dam completed, 650 ft. long; founded on plies and built of timber and stone.

1823

Chapter 96 – $1,300,000 appropriated for canal fund.

Chapter 111 – Canal basin to be built at Albany.

Chapter 133 – Niagara Canal Co. incorporated.

Chapter 269 – Salary, canal commissioner fixed at $2,000 per year.

Aqueduct over Genesee river completed, 802 ft. long, 11 arches.

Salina side-cut connected with Onondaga lake.

October 8, – First boats from the west and north pass through the canal into the Hudson at Albany, amid great enthusiasm.

Feeder dam built at Johnsville.

Canal completed from Rochester to Brockport and Schenectady to Albany.

1824

Chapter 255 – $1,000,000 appropriated for canal fund.

Canal completed, Brockport to Lockport.

Three hundred bridges built across the canal between Utica and Albany and 80 between Utica and Little Falls.

Tonawanda feeder completed.

Niagara river lift-lock completed.

Hydrostatic locks built at Utica and Syracuse.

Three thousand houses built in New York City during the year.

April 12, – De Witt Clinton removed from office of canal commissioner by concurrent resolution.

1825

Chapter 236 – "Great canal act" authorizes surveying and estimating 17 canal routes.

Chapter 275 – Canal appraisers appointed.

Chapter 277 – Commissioners to build canal from Squaw Island to Buffalo Creek.

Chapter 292 – $270,965.78 appropriated for canal fund.

October 26, – Erie Canal completed; opening ceremonies were celebrated with great enthusiasm all along the line; fleet entered canal at Buffalo for New York on trip of celebration.

Whole number of boats and rafts were passed on the canal during season, 13,110.

Number of persons passing Utica in freight and packet boats during season, over 40,000.

Troy dam damaged and Adams Island partly carried away by spring floods.

Petitions from 12 counties and 18 towns and cities against navigating the canal on Sunday.

Hydrostatic locks for weighing for laden canal-boats proved wonderfully efficient.

1826

Chapter 240 – Commissioners to lay out side-cut to Montezuma to be built by salt manufacturers.

Limestone creek and Mohawk river feeders, with dams, locks, etc., completed.

Black Rock pier damaged.

Eighty bridges rebuilt on an enlarged and more sustainable plan.

Population New York City, 250,000.

Canal board established.

1827

Chapter 9 (R. S.) – Maps to be made of all existing canals; Erie canal declared completed.

New lift-lock block at Fort Plain completed.

Black rock pier damaged.

January 7, – Canal commissioners met and organized under the law reducing the number of commissioners to two.

Genesee River feeder dam raised 14 inches.

R. S. Title 9, Art. 3 defines powers and duties of canal appraisers.

1828

Chapter 40 – Lock and waste-weir at Rome to be rebuilt.

Pier built at Black Rock harbor, 375 ft.

New brush and gravel dam built on Schoharie creek.

New lock built at Lyons.

Raceway at Lockport completed.

Navigable season, March 27 to December 20, a period of 268 days. (Longest recorded.)

February 11, – Death of De Witt Clinton, Governor of the State of New York.

1829

Weigh-lock at Utica completed.

1830

Number of boats arriving and departing from Albany during the season, 12,890.

1831

Number of boats arriving and departing from Albany during the season, 14,963.

1832

Hutchinson’s surveys and maps, Canastota to Hudson river.

Schoharie creek dam rebuilt.

March, – Ice swept along by floods badly damaged Schoharie creek dam.

Cost transportation of bushel of wheat, Albany to Rochester. 22.4 cents; barrel of flour, 80 cents.

1833

Chapter 312 – Nine Mile creek feeder to be made navigable.

Report of commissioners on rebuilding Rochester aqueduct, doubling locks east of Syracuse and new feeder on Jordan level.

Commissioners reduce tolls going to tide-water 28 ½ percent and 14 Ό percent going from tide-water.

Port Byron aqueduct fitted with a new trunk.

1834

Chapter 312 – Commissioners to build second set of locks Albany to Syracuse, and rebuild Genesee aqueduct, 40 ft. wide.

West Troy and Syracuse weigh-locks rebuilt of stone laid in hydraulic cement.

1835

Chapter 274 – Commissioners to enlarge canal and construct double locks.

Skaneateles feeder enlarged.

Lock No. 8, Lockville rebuilt of cut stone.

Enlarged canal to be 70 ft. wide at surface, 7 ft. deep; locks, 110 ft. between quoins, 18 ft. wide.

1836

Chapter 210. – Separate canal to be built at Rome.

Chapter 287 – Governor, with consent of Senate, to appoint 3 canal appraisers.

Estimated cost of enlargement, in report of canal board. $12,416,150.17.

March 28, – Report of canal board on ship canal.

First enlargement work let and commenced.

Rochester aqueduct begun.

Albany basin partially cleaned, and deposits and other obstructions removed.

1837

Chapter 470 – Part of abandoned canal to be transferred to Cohoes Co.

Work commenced on widening canal at Utica.

One hundred and forty ft. of Black Rock pier carried away.

Albany basin improved, channel 60 ft. wide, 5 ft. depth of water secured.

June 21, – Break at Otter creek, 26,000 cubic yards earth washed out; navigation suspended 9 days.

June, – 220 ft. Troy dam carried away; cause not known; cost of repairs about $13,000.

Rates of tolls 39 3-10 per cent lower than in 1832.

1838

Chapter 116 – Buffalo to build Hamburg St. canal.

Chapter 247 – Commissioners to improve Tonawanda and Ellicott creeks.

Chapter 269 – Commissioners to borrow $4,000,000 for enlargement.

Enlargement of Genesee river feeder with guard-lock completed.

Jordan level to be cut down.

Feeder to be built at Nine Mile creek.

New pier built at Black Rock, 1,947 ft.

1839

April 23, – Commissioners to survey Hamburg St. canal.

Sea wall 470 ft. long built on Lake Erie.

Wall 478 ft. long built on Little Buffalo creek.

Lock at Lyons completed.

1840

Chapter 37 – Commissioners to borrow $500,000 for completion.

Chapter 161 – Commissioners to borrow $2,000,000.

Chapter 307 – Commissioners to complete Hamburg St. canal.

Tonawanda and Oak Orchard feeder enlarged, cost $19,078.60.

Wall at Buffalo extended 1,300 ft.

Double locks No. 33 and No. 47, two at Syracuse and one at Lockville completed.

February, – State dam, Troy, badly damaged by flood, cost of repairs, $7,728.60.

1841

Chapter 194 – $2,150,000 to be borrowed for enlargement.

Chapter 218 – Canal department located in State Hall, Albany.

Masonry of locks, Albany to Little Falls, completed.

Port Jackson and Schoharie creek aqueducts completed.

Nine Mile creek and Carpenter brook feeders finished.

New Utica weigh-lock completed.

"Erie Canal Enlargement and Black River and Genesee Valley Canal Completion Co." offer to complete canals within three years from January 1st, 1842.

1842

Chapter 114 – "Stop law," all work excepting necessary repairs stopped.

Proposal by Childs to use Skaneateles lake as reservoir.

Rochester enlarged aqueduct completed, 800 ft. long, cost $445,347.

New upper and lower aqueducts across Mohawk completed.

Genesee feeder completed.

North tier of combined locks at Lockport completed.

1843

Chapter 30 – Bridges to be built at Buffalo and Fitzhugh Sts., Rochester; Rotterdam St., Schenectady, and Water St., Albany.

Improvement of Hamburg and Skinner canals completed.

January, – Schoharie creek dam damaged by flood, 100 ft. swept away.

Rights of Buffalo in Main and Hamburg canal conveyed to the State.

1844

Chapter 278 – Unfinished work to be repaired and improved for navigation.

Steele’s aqueduct completed.

Skaneateles lake reservoir completed.

October 18, – Waters of Black Rock harbor raised 10 ft. by gale, sweeps away the upper end of Squaw island and partly wrecks the pier. Damages, $20,000.

1845

New canal at Schoharie creek brought into use.

Jordan level completed.

1846

Chapter 325 – Bottom of level east of Rochester to be reduced.

Constitution, Art. VII, Sec. 6. – Canals never to be sold, leased or otherwise disposed of.

October 28, - Death of Jonas Earll, president board of canal commissioners.

March, - Bad break in the Schenectady level; Mohawk river, ice laden, pours into canal; cost of repairs, $10,191.48.

1847

Chapter 217 – Bridges to be built at Washington and Michigan Sts., Buffalo.

Chapter 259 – Enlargement to be again begun; $300,000 appropriated; also $417,620.37 if available.

Chapter 286 – Jordan level to be drained.

Chapter 318 – Bridge to be built at Alexander St., Rochester.

Chapter 413 – Abandoned canal {original text has "conal".}, near junction with Champlain, to be conveyed to adjoining owners.

Chapter 445 - $559,000 appropriated.

Van Vleck’s survey for reservoirs; Limestone creek, 580 acres, 604,517,540 cu. ft.; Cazenovia lake, 1,178 acres, 257,483,100 cu. ft.; Chittenango creek, 314 acres, 22,438,290 cu. ft.

Feeder at Jordan level completed.

November 2, – Charles B. Stuart elected first State Engineer and Surveyor under the Constitution.

1,514 new boats registered during the year, making a total of 4,000 to date.

1848

Chapter 72 – Prescribes powers and duties of State Engineer and Surveyor.

Chapter 162 – Creates the office of auditor, canal department.

Chapter 213 – $910,000 appropriated for enlargement.

Chapter 288 – Obstructions below lower Black Rock dam to be removed.

Chapter 334 – Bridge to be built at Allen St., Rochester.

Chapter 339 – Reservoir to be built at Conesus lake.

Chapter 364 – Bridge to be built at Washington St., Rome.

Canal bottom east of Rochester to first lock, depressed one foot.

"Big bevel" dispensed with on locks.

Bench walls on canals superseded by walls of full length.

1849

Chapter 181 – Bridge to be built at Church St., Medina.

Chapter 200 – State to acquire Albany basin; $121,462.63 appropriated.

Chapter 217 – $920,000 appropriated for enlargement.

Chapter 219 – $50,000 of chapter 260-1847 reappropriated.

Chapter 233 – Locks, Syracuse to Rochester, to be lengthened temporarily.

Lyons aqueduct completed.

4,863 boats on canals.

1850

Chapter 198 – Bridge to be built near Shelby basin.

Chapter 214 – Canal at Geddes to be abandoned.

Chapter 219 – Commissioners to acquire Smith’s bridge, Rochester, and abandon Howell St. bridge.

Chapter 234 – Bridges to be built at McBride and Townsend Sts., Syracuse.

Chapter 238 – Bridge to be built at Genesee St., Buffalo.

Chapter 268 – Live stock may be carried on the railroads free from canal tolls.

Chapter 354 – $654,000 appropriated for enlargement of canal through Brockport, Albion and Medina.

West Troy basin and upper side-cut completed.

Erieville reservoir completed.

First annual report State Engineer to the Legislature.

February 12, – Canal commissioners report as to status of enlargement of the lateral canals.

1851

Chapter 200 – Bridge to be built at Jay St., Rome.

Chapter 316 – Bridge to be built at Ingersoll St., Albion.

Chapter 485 – Surplus revenues to be applied to completion by "canal-revenue-certificate" plan.

Chapter 497 – Abolish canal tolls on railroads.

1852

Chapter 122 – Bridge to be built over the locks at Lockport, Pine, and Lock Sts.

Black Rock ship lock {see errata.} completed.

Court of Appeals declares chapter 485-1851 unconstitutional.

1853

Chapter 227 – Bridge to be built at Ferry St., Troy.

Chapter 322 – Bridge to be built at Hospital St., Buffalo.

Chapter 326 – Bridges to be built at Chestnut St., Syracuse, and Geddes St., Geddes.

Chapter 447 – Bridge to be built at Seymour St., Tonawanda.

Chapter 620 – $390,000 appropriated.

Iron bridge built at Whitesboro St., Utica.

New canal opened, Port Byron to Montezuma.

Pitt lock, Berlin lock, Pittsford lock and Brighton lower lock, widened and lengthened.

Navigable season, April 20 to December 20, a period of 245 days, excepting 1828 the longest in canal history.

1854

Chapter 16 – $100,000 appropriated for bottoming out canal.

Chapter 327 – Repairs to be let by contract.

Chapter 329 – Contracting board created.

Chapter 330 – $1,831,000 appropriated for fiscal year.

Constitution, Art. VII, Sec. 3, – Legislature to appropriate annually for enlargement of canals.

Feeder dam, 1,547 ft. long rebuilt, cost $8,163.51.

Crane brook aqueduct rebuilt.

Certain sections of old canal widened, deepened and straightened pursuant to chapter 16-1854; cost about $100,000.

Failure of wheat crop causes a large diminution of canal revenues.

1855

Union St. bridge, West Troy, rebuilt.

New trunk put in Schoharie creek aqueduct, cost $32,899.68.

Lasher’s, Yates’ and Printup’s aqueducts enlarged.

Forty-four sets of double locks completed between Albany and Montezuma.

Thirteen single locks and 6 sets of double locks completed between Montezuma and Buffalo.

Iron bridges built at Exchange, Washington and Buffalo Sts., Rochester.

Thirty-three aqueducts completed.

Canal between Rome and Higginsville, abounding in sharp curves known as the "Black Snake," straightened.

Seeley’s apparatus for manipulating lock-gates put in at Albany weigh-lock; very successful.

1856

Chapter 29 – Bridge to be built at Vernon St., Middleport.

Chapter 130 – Bridge to be built at Nelson St., Rochester.

Chapter 131 – Bridges to be built at Doxtater and Bouck Sts., Rome.

Chapter 148 – $1,803,000 appropriated for fiscal year.

Estimate for Limestone creek reservoir, De Ruyter, 500,000,000 cu. ft., $118,367.55.

Seneca river aqueduct completed.

Rocky rift dam and feeder and Mohawk dam and feeder at Rome completed.

Chittenango creek aqueduct completed.

Cazenovia dam rebuilt.

Enlargement suspended, no funds.

December, – Break at Squaw Island, Black Rock harbor; high water caused by gales overflows banks; damages $12,000.

1857

Chapter 105 – Contracting board to divide canals into subdivisions and residencies; powers of board increased.

Chapter 176 – Bridge to be built at Geddes St., Geddes.

Chapter 211 – Bridge to be built at Ferry St., West Troy.

Chapter 365 – $2,257,492.12 appropriated.

Chapter 538 – Creating office and fixing number of canal appraisers at three.

Chapter 633 – State Engineer to appoint and prescribe powers and duties to Deputy State Engineer.

Chapter 702 – Bridge to be built at Grove Spring.

Chapter 714 – Bridge to be built at Frankfort.

Chapter 742 – Bridge to be built at Mill St., Little Falls.

Chapter 743 – North sections 196 and 197 to be built; old canal east of Port Byron to be abandoned.

Eastern division locks all enlarged and double except Nos. 2 and 42.

Middle division completed, except from lock 51 to Port Byron and from Clyde river to Wayne County line.

Western division in use, excepting sections 207, 256, 259, 289.

1858

Chapter 87 – Old canal west of Owasco outlet and east of Port Byron to be abandoned.

Chapter 184 – Bridge to be built at Griffin St., Rochester.

Chapter 272 – Bridge to be built at Hamilton St., Buffalo.

Chapter 298 – Bridge to be built at White St., Cohoes.

July 6, – Death of S. S. Whallon, president board canal commissioners in charge of western division.

Break near Schenectady; culvert gives way; damages $5,991.41.

Four hundred and thirty boats caught in the ice on eastern division at close of season; cost to State moving them to tide-water, $20,000.

1859

Chapter 16 – Amending Revised Statutes concerning penalties for violation of regulations governing canal navigation.

Chapter 149 – $412,150 appropriation for enlargement.

Chapter 227 – Releases State’s interest to a portion of abandoned Erie canal at Rochester.

Chapter 326 – $140,852.56 reappropriated for Erie canal enlargement.

Chapter 346 – Sec. 142, Superintendent of State salt springs may take water from canal at Montezuma for specified purposes.

Chapter 376 – Canal auditor to act on claims when canal commissioners are disqualified.

Chapter 437 – Concerning annual report of State Engineer.

Chapter 495 – "Test Boats," heavily laden, to ascertain obstructions, to be run monthly on the canals.

Governor E. D. Morgan urges speedy completion of enlargement of canal, estimating cost at $12,100,000.

Resident Engineer W. B. Taylor recommends canal commissioners to fix a definite date for canal closing each year.

Superstructure, lower Mohawk aqueduct, 1,300 ft. long, entirely rebuilt; cost $40,272.10.

June 20 and July 12, – Breaks at Bushnell’s basin; navigation delayed 5 and 10 days, respectively.

September 28, – By the failing of an iron bridge at Albion 14 persons were either killed or drowned.

October 7, – Break at Palmyra; navigation delayed 8 days.

1860

Chapter 86 – Repeals certain sections of chapter 105-1857, an act enlarging powers of contracting board.

Chapter 119 – Iron bridge to be built at Vleet St., Cohoes. (Completed 1862.)

Chapter 213 – Bevels in enlarged locks to be cut off and all bridges to be raised to 12 ft. clearance; $781,000 appropriated for enlargement.

November 29, – 50,000 cubic yards of embankment, slope walls and part of culvert swept away near Lockport.

1861

Chapter 92 – Concerning "Inland Navigation Insurance Companies."

Chapter 124 – Regulating canal navigation and collection of tolls.

Chapter 165 – Damages caused by construction Schoharie creek aqueduct to be paid.

Chapter 177 – Canal auditor to make annual report to Legislature instead of to canal commissioners.

Chapter 275 – Damages caused by construction Limestone creek feeder to be paid.

Chapter 332 – Repeals part of section 3, chapter 213-1860, relating to division and resident engineers.

Seventeen reservoirs complete or to be completed with a capacity of 5,822,663,000 cu. ft., form part of canal system.

State Engineer estimates cost of completion of enlargement State canals, $390,000.

1862

Chapter 9 – "An act to facilitate the construction of a portion of the Erie canal enlargement."

Chapter 35 – To abate the nuisance caused by the old, abandoned canal at Clyde.

Chapter 91 – Squire Whipple to be paid for the use of his patent iron truss bridges on the canals.

Chapter 137 – Reappropriation $100,000 for completion Erie canal, also $47,260.44 premiums on loans for canal enlargement under Constitution.

Chapter 169 – Enlargement declared completed September 1; canal 350 ½ miles; 70 ft. surface; 52 ½ or 56 ft. bottom; 7 ft. water; 72 locks, 110 x 18; 57 double and 15 single; all double, Troy to Port Byron.

Chapter 354 – Penalties for fast driving on canal and canal feeder bridges.

Chapter 415 – "Gunboat locks"; an act to adapt the canals of this State for defence of northern and northwestern lakes.

April 22, – Concurrent resolution; Governor to invite attention of Congress to chapter 415.

De Ruyter reservoir brought into use, though not completed.

May 6, – Governor appoints S. B. Ruggles to lay the subject before Congress.

May 9, – Mr. Ruggles accepts and renders frequent reports thereafter.

Schoharie creek stone dam completed.

850 boats registered, greatest in any one year.

1863

Chapter 40 – Canal board to accept conveyance, Clark and Skinner canal, Buffalo.

Chapter 72 – Nine Mile creek feeder to be made navigable.

Chapter 131 – Canal board to complete De Ruyter reservoir.

Chapter 297 – Amends chapter 298-1858, concerning bridge at White St., Cohoes.

Chapter 311 – Surveys to be made for gunboat locks, 225 x 26 ft.

Chapter 335 – Appropriation for improvement Oak Orchard creek and canal feeder.

Chapter 343 – Bridge to be built at Amherst.

Chapter 347 – Bridge to be built at Higginsville.

Chapter 411 – Bridges to be built over side-cuts, West Troy.

Chapter 473 – Bridge to be built at Griffith St., Rochester. (Completed 1865.)

July 21, – Unprecedented freshet causes great damage to canal at Van Evra’s, Fort Plain, Canajoharie and Schoharie creek feeder.

De Ruyter reservoir completed, cost $126,026.82.

1864

Chapter 354 – $75,000 appropriated for two stone side-cut locks to be built at Union St., West Troy.

Chapter 355 – Lock No. 2 to be rebuilt.

Chapter 429 – Leakage of canal at Lockport to be checked.

Chapter 469 – For improvement Clark and Skinner canal, Buffalo.

Auburn St. bridge, West Troy, replaced by steel bridge.

Timber dam built over Schoharie creek at Fort Hunter.

Improvement of old feeder at Little Falls, completed.

Stone dam over Schoharie creek replaced by tree-dam.

Stone dam built over Mohawk river at Rexford Flats.

May 11, – Break at Whitesboro, caused by muskrats; navigation delayed 5 days.

Dam at Rochester completed.

1865

Chapter 270 – $394,000 appropriated for repairing breaks and restoring navigation on the canals.

Chapter 391 – Bridge to be built at Grape St., Syracuse. (Built 1867.)

Chapter 429 – Amends chapter 297-1863, concerning bridge at White St., Cohoes.

Chapter 477 – Three division and three resident engineers to be appointed.

Chapter 675 – Bridge to be built over Clark and Skinner canal, Buffalo.

Chapter 682 – Swing-bridge to be built over Black Rock harbor.

Chapter 727 – Encroachments on canal lands to be removed.

March 16, 17, 18, most disastrous flood ever known in Oswego, Seneca, Chemung, Chenango and Genesee valleys; badly damages the canals; damages aggregate over $100,000.

May 4, – One span upper Mohawk aqueduct gives out; navigation delayed 4 days.

New iron Whipple bridge over canal at Ferry St., Albany, completed.

Schoharie creek dam completed.

George Heath’s "Tumble-gate," a device for expediting lockage, first introduced, lock No. 39.

1866

Chapter 503 – Albany basin to be narrowed.

Chapter 543 – Maps of canal to be completed.

Chapter 584 – Iron bridge to be built over Main and Hamburg canal, Buffalo.

Chapter 618 – Bridge to be built at Ilion.

Chapter 639 – Dam over Genesee river at Rochester to be altered.

Chapter 657 – Exceptions to chapter 727-1865, concerning encroachments on canal lands.

Chapter 719 – Erie basin, Main and Hamburg canal and Black Rock harbor to be improved.

Chapter 731 – Swing-bridge to be built at Fayetteville.

Chapter 748 – "Amsden’s hydrostatic scales" for weighing canal-boats and cargoes to be introduced.

Chapter 807 – Wooden bridge at Columbia St., Cohoes, to be replaced by one of iron. (Rebuilt of wood, 1866.)

Chapter 841 – Amends chapter 391-1865, concerning bridge at Grape St., Syracuse.

Chapter 877 – State ditch at Port Byron to be opened.

February 16, 17, – Concurrent resolution urging Congress to build ship canal from Portage lake to Lake Superior.

June 15, – Break 5 miles west of Schenectady; 300 ft. towing-path bank swept into Mohawk river; cost of repairs, $20,000; navigation suspended 9 days.

October 2, – Canal board resolves that in future all road and street bridges shall be rebuilt of iron.

1,318 bridges on canals, iron 187, wood 1,131; length of iron, 2 Ύ miles; wood, 13 Ύ miles; total, 16 ½ miles.

1867

Chapter 238 – Amends chapter 503-1866 and requires consent of two-thirds of lot owners to narrow Albany basin.

Chapter 302 – Bridge to be built at Perry St., Brockport.

Chapter 577 – Enlarges powers of contracting board.

Chapter 577, Sec. 12 – Abolished office superintendent of canal repairs.

Chapter 579 – $100,000 appropriated for rebuilding certain wooden bridges of iron; $50,000 for rebuilding State dam, Cohoes, of stone; $100,000 for two locks, West Troy.

Chapter 621 – Tolls to be collected on Mohawk basin, West Troy.

Chapter 651 – Bridge to be built at Parker St., Fairport.

Chapter 844 – Iron bridge to be built over State ditch at Jack’s reef. (Completed.)

Chapter 856 – Eight hours to constitute a day’s work.

May 2, – West pier Crane brook aqueduct carried away in consequence of heavy rains.

Iron truss bridge over canal at White St., Cohoes, completed; cost $24,000, most expensive bridge on the canal to date.

Albany basin improved, 100,000 cubic yards of earth dredged from the same.

Oak Orchard creek deepened through rock.

Stone dam, Rexford Flats, completed.

1868

Chapter 342 – Rochester to be compensated for damages caused by flood of March, 1865.

Chapter 346 – $53,549.33 appropriated for the removal of wall benches, eastern division.

Chapter 374 – United States to remove a portion "Erie Basin Breakwater," Buffalo harbor.

Chapter 416 – Bridges to be built at Washington and George Sts., Rome.

Chapter 417 – Bridge to be built at Forman St., Cazenovia.

Chapter 422 – Bridge to be built from Irelands Corners road to Island Park, Watervliet. (Repealed chapter 877-1869.)

Chapter 518 – Bridge to be built at Exchange St., Rochester.

Chapter 579 – Appeals from decisions of canal appraisers to be taken to canal board.

Chapter 672 – De Ruyter reservoir to be improved.

Chapter 681 – Swing-bridge to be built at Rexford Flats.

Chapter 715 – $85,000 for rebuilding lock No. 2 and walls near same; $60,000 for reservoir, Jordan level, and changing bridges; $20,000 completing Clark and Skinner canal.

Chapter 715 – Bridge to be built at Port Jackson. (Completed 1869.)

Chapter 880 – For removal of backwater from dam at Tonawanda.

1869

Chapter 32 – Canal commissioners and State Engineer to repair Albany basin and lock opening into same.

Chapter 100 – For constructing vertical wood docking, berme bank at Rome.

Chapter 281 – For constructing vertical stone wall, berme bank at Macedon.

Chapter 693 – $15,000 for walls at Utica.

Chapter 877 – $200,000 for doubling locks, western division; $100,000 reappropriated for locks at West Troy; $100,000 for constructing Fish creek feeder; $40,000 for deepening canal near Rochester; $40,000 for deepening near Limestone feeder; $15,000 for completing Main and Hamburg St. canal; $15,000 for Otisco lake reservoir; $15,000 for widening lock No 39; $15,000 for reservoir, Jordan level.

State Engineer recommends three steam dredges for use on the canal.

September 21, – Break in towing-path, Pool’s brook; 2,200 cubic yards of earth carried out; navigation delayed 7 days.

October 4-11, – Worst floods ever known on the canals; on the 4th and 5th, five and one-half inches of rain fell; damages immense; navigation suspended for weeks.

November 7, – Death of Oliver Bascom, canal commissioner in charge of eastern division.

Lock No. 49 widened, cost $14,873.40.

1870

Chapter 55 – Contracting board and contract repair system abolished.

Chapter 222 – Canal officials authorized to destroy boats and all objects impeding navigation.

Chapter 299 – The willful destruction of a canal-boat declared a felony.

Chapter 385 – Eight hours to constitute a day’s work for laborers and mechanics in State or municipal employ.

Chapter 576 – Cable towing system to be tried.

Chapter 655 – Providing for the introduction of an improved system of steam towage upon the canals.

Chapter 767 – Authorizing a tax of one mill per dollar for canal improvements.

Chapter 767 – Hughes’ patent steam canal dredge to be tested.

March 18, – Report of special committee on cases of surplus water.

River dock wall below upper side-cut, West Troy, raised ten feet and laid in cement.

April, – Canal board, pursuant to resolution of Legislature, reduces canal toll rates 50 percent.

{see errata.}

November 17, – Steam as a motor power first successfully used. Canal-boat George G. Barnard, steam-propelled, steams up the river, through canal through to Schenectady and return.

1871

Chapter 348 – For a swing-bridge over the canal at Buffalo St., Rochester

Chapter 602 – Utica, Chenango and Susquehanna Valley R. R. Co. to build a bridge at lock No. 46.

Chapter 778 – Locks Nos. 47 and 48 to be widened.

Chapter 868 – Steam, caloric, electricity or any motor power other than animal power to be introduced, $100,000 in prizes offered.

Chapter 911 – The American system of cable towage to be introduced.

Chapter 930 – Appropriates $20,000 for purposes specified in chapter 348.

Chapter 943 – Tonawanda dam to be cut down two feet.

February 14, – Canal board adopted resolutions requesting legislative investigation of canal management and finances.

February 16, – Canal board, in response to Assembly inquiry of the 6th inst., report against enlarging locks on western division.

April 28, – Bad break at Ox Bow bend near Fairport; navigation delayed ten days.

September 5, – Construction of a crib ordered between canal and Black Rock harbor, 120 feet from the bank.

November, – Exhibition of "Belgian System," endless cable propulsion of canal-boats, given between Albany and West Troy.

The A. H. Dawson, the first steamer plying the canal.

Heath’s patent "tumble-gates," placed in some of the locks, give general satisfaction.

November, – Canals suddenly closed by extreme cold; 800 boats laden with merchandise frozen in.

Oriskany creek feeder completed.

1872

Chapter 550 – Williamson to try road steam-engine towing on course of five miles of canal.

Chapter 583 – Dam at Owasco lake to be raised three feet.

Chapter 652 – Swing-bridge to be built at Hotel St., Utica.

Chapter 653 – Swing-bridge to be constructed at Buffalo St., Rochester.

Lock No. 2 doubled. Locks Nos. 47 and 48 widened and fitted with Heath’s "tumble-gates."

Otisco lake reservoir completed, capacity 784,000,000 cu. ft.

1,000 lineal feet vertical wall constructed east of guard-lock, Utica.

Under provisions of chapter 343-1872, the canal commissioners begin construction of the Jamesville reservoir.

Twelve steamers competed for the prize offered by chapter 868-1871 : no award.

1873

Chapter 480 – Amending chapter 868-1871, concerning the introduction of some propulsive power for canal-boats other than animal power.

Chapter 766 – Reappropriation of fund by chapter 930-1871, for a swing-bridge at Buffalo St., Rochester.

Chapter 766 – Whipple lift-bridge to be built at Hotel St., Utica.

The trunk of Schoharie creek aqueduct newly built; cost $44,070.12.

Lock No. 72 and Newark locks, Nos. 57, 58 and 59, doubled.

April, – Canals of the middle division swept by a devastating flood.

Feeder dam at Port Byron carried away.

Six steamers competed for prizes under chapter 868-1871; no award.

1874

Chapter 399 – Tonawanda side-cut lock to be built.

Chapter 399 – Appropriation, $360,000, for removing bench walls and substituting slope wall on canal.

Chapter 399 – For a bridge over the canal at Emerson, town of Gates.

Chapter 399 – For an iron bridge over the canal at Austin St., Buffalo.

Chapter 618 – Prizes, under chapter 868-1871, steam on canals: $35,000 to William Baxter; $15,000 to D. B. Dobbins; $5,000 to T. D. Davis.

November 3, – Art. 7, Sec. 6 of Constitution prohibiting the sale of Erie, Oswego, Champlain, Cayuga and Seneca canals adopted.

November 23, – Terrible storm wrecks Erie basin breakwater.

Jamesville reservoir completed; cost $130,000.

New dam to be constructed of stone at Owasco outlet, Auburn.

Amount of canal expenditures limited to the amount of canal revenues the previous year, Art. VII, Sec. 6, Constitution.

Canal maps completed.

Fifteen steamers on the canals.

1875

Chapter 48 – Amending chapter 399-1874, provides for a draw-bridge at Otsego St., town of German Flats.

Chapter 260 – Expense of maintaining lateral canals not to exceed double the amount of tolls received on each for the preceding year.

Chapter 499 – Canal board to report as to sale of lateral canals.

Lock at Lyons doubled, thus completing work of doubling locks from Albany to Buffalo.

Iron swing-bridge over canal at Buffalo St., Rochester, completed pursuant to chapter 348-1871.

December, – Stone dam at Owasco, Auburn, completed, pursuant to chapter 399-1874.

Iron turn-table bridge over canal at Salina St., Syracuse, constructed pursuant to chapter 381-1871.

March 19, – Special message of the Governor on canals; recommends legislative inquiry.

May, – Report of legislative committee on canal matters.

Navigable season shortest on record. Opened May 18, closed on account of snow and ice November 24, – 191 days.

1876

Chapter 385 – Appointment and removal of engineers vested in State engineer.

Chapter 387 – An act to encourage improvement in steam propulsion of canal-boats.

Chapter 388 – Canal board given power to investigate all matters pertaining to the State canals.

Chapter 425, Sec. 6, – State Engineer to cause survey to be made to ascertain condition of canal and requisite improvements.

Chapter 425 – All appropriations for work, new or extraordinary, except on Champlain and Oneida Lake canals, repealed.

Chapter 425, Sec. 5,– Canal to be made seven feet deep, where less.

Constitution, Art. V, Sec. 3, – Office of canal commissioner abolished and its powers vested in Superintendent of Public Works.

March 24, – Special message of Governor recommending appropriation $400,000 to deepen canal to full seven feet.

Erie breakwater repaired. Wrecked November, 1874.

New trunk inserted in Oriskany creek aqueduct.

Surveys under chapter 425-1876 completed.

December, – Stone dam at Auburn completed pursuant to chapter 399-1874.

1877

Chapter 365 – Rochester may build a swing-bridge over the canal at Allen St.

Chapter 366 – An act for the introduction of the Stevenson system of towage on the Erie canal.

Chapter 369 – Canal board to close the Genesee feeder, if not inimical to canal and State interests.

Chapter 371 – Experiments with Baker’s single rail system of steam towage to be made.

Chapter 404 – For the sale of certain lateral canals with their appurtenances.

Experiments made with "Dynometer" to determine the force required move boats at various speeds.

State Engineer reports that Genesee feeder cannot be closed.

Division wall in Black Rock harbor, 10,455 ft., completed, 897 ft. to be built.

Frick’s patented plan of "double headers" one boat coupled behind the other, introduced.

1878

Nineteen steam canal-boats on the canals.

"Seymour plan" of canal enlargement enunciated.

1879

Chapter 88 – For construction of an iron swing-bridge at Lawrence St., Albany.

Chapter 152 – Superintendent of Public works to make permanent appropriations of land for canal repairs.

Chapter 398 – For construction of a hoist-bridge over canal at Fort Plain.

Chapter 403 – Made a misdemeanor for any canal employee to receive gratuity for doing or omitting to do his duty.

Chapter 539 – Cooke’s system of towing by traction, or floating locomotives, from or upon a submerged railway to be tested.

1880

Chapter 97 – For the construction of a bridge over canal at York St., Buffalo (Completed same year.)

Chapter 99 – State Engineer to make all plans for canal improvements.

Chapter 359 – Superintendent of Public Works to keep Genesee river feeder in good condition.

Chapter 424 – For a swing-bridge over canal at Main St., Brockport (Completed 1888.)

Chapter 462 – For a bridge over canal at Kent St., Palmyra. (Built 1882.)

Cable towing tried between Utica and Syracuse, but abandoned.

76,000 cubic yards of sediment removed from the prism of the canal.

April 22, – Break near Utica; several thousand yards of canal bottom carried out; navigation delayed 7 days.

1,169 bridges on the canal maintained at State expense and of no use to navigation.

1881

Chapter 38 – Authorizing the City of Buffalo to lay a sewer in the towing-path.

Chapter 340 – Swing-bridge to be built at Main St., Brockport. (Completed 1888.)

Chapter 536 – All iron bridges over canals shall be on specifications of State Engineer and let to contract.

Chapter 569 – Powers of contracting board conferred on Superintendent of Public Works.

1882

Chapter 21 – Appropriation for removing obstructions from canal.

Chapter 91 – Amends chapter 21, and provides fund shall be paid on Comptroller’s warrant, instead of Superintendent of Public Works.

November 7, – Constitutional amendment ratified by the people; Art. VII, Sec. 3, no tolls to be imposed on the canals; Sec. 5, canal debt to be raised by taxation; Sec. 6, Erie, Champlain, Oswego, Cayuga and Seneca, and Black River canals never to be leased or sold.

378,000 cubic yards of sediment dredged from canals and basins during the spring.

Turbines, devised by Dennison Richmond, used in locks for hauling boats, prove of great utility.

Auditor’s financial report shows that canal revenues have exceeded in amount the cost of canal construction by $8,333,457.18

Cost of Erie, Oswego and Champlain canals to date, $102,345,123; tolls collected, $134,648,900; balance in favor of canals, $32,303,777.

Ninety-two steamers on the canals.

1883

Chapter 10 – Syracuse may substitute a swing-bridge in place of the elevated bridge over canal at Warren St.

Chapter 69 – Office of auditor of canal department abolished and his powers conferred on Comptroller.

Chapter 165 – Office of weighmaster and collector abolished.

Chapter 205 – Office of canal appraiser abolished.

Chapter 448 – Old Navigation Company’s lock at Little Falls to be preserved.

Chapter 495 – Appropriation canal fund for Albany basin.

January 1, – Provision abolishing tolls becomes effective.

Traffic immensely augmented since tolls were abolished; grain moved from Buffalo 42,350,916 bushels; gain over season of 1882 of nearly 13,000,000 bushels.

{see errata.}

1884

Chapter 80 – Lock No. 50 to be lengthened to pass "double headers"; the first lock to be so treated.

Chapter 168 – Little Falls to be repaid for abating nuisance on abandoned canal.

Chapter 294 – Surplus water of Rome level not to be discharged into Butternut or Limestone creeks.

Chapter 362 – Ice on canals may be cut by citizens for their own use.

Chapter 364 – For the construction of an iron bridge over canal at Prospect St., Medina.

April 1, – Report of Superintendent of Public Works concerning encroachments.

1885

Chapter 77 – Erie canal at Buffalo from Jersey St. to Hudson St. to be protected from lake encroachments.

Chapter 119 – Sewer to be laid under the canal at Utica.

Chapter 205 – For completion of an iron bridge over canal at Catherine St., Syracuse. (Completed 1886.)

Chapter 246 – Suspension bridge over canal at North Erie St., Albany to be rebuilt.

Chapter 279 – Iron bridge to be built over the canal at Herkimer.

Chapter 312 – Old canal at Rome to be drained.

Lengthening lock No. 50 to 220 feet completed.

Buffalo trunk sewer completed.

1886

Chapter 32 – For construction of iron bridge over canal at Main St., Lockport. (Completed same year.)

Chapter 396 – The Lyell and Saxton St. sewer under the canal at Rochester to be enlarged.

Chapter 552 – Obstructions to canal at Mentz and Montezuma to be removed

Chapter 553 – Bridge over canal at Monroe Ave., Rochester, to be enlarged and rebuilt. (Completed 1887.)

Chapter 646 – Appropriation for increasing lockage capacity of canal.

1887

Chapter 59 – Bridge to be built over the canal at Hudson St., Buffalo. (Built 1888.)

Chapter 113 – Appropriation for increasing the lockage capacity of the canal.

Chapter 118 – Reappropriation for swing-bridge at Brockport. (Built 1888)

Chapter 150 – For an iron arch-bridge at Cottage St., Lockport. (Built 1888.)

Chapter 233 – Lift-bridge to be built at West St., Syracuse. (Built 1888)

Chapter 274 – Lift-bridge to be built at John St., Utica. (Built 1888.)

Chapter 311 – Lift-bridge to be built at Main St., Fort Plain. (Built 1888)

Chapter 338 – Appropriation for draining abandoned canal at Rome.

Chapter 402 – Lift-bridge to be built at Glasgow St., Clyde. (Built 1888).

Chapter 528 – Registry of canal-boats transferred from Comptroller to Superintendent of Public Works.

Chapter 585 – Rebuilding and enlargement of Main St. bridge, Tonawanda. (Completed 1888.)

Chapter 587 – Bridge to be built at Austin St., Buffalo. (Built 1888.)

Chapter 612 – Iron bridge to be built at Parker St., Fairport.

Chapter 643 – Leakage and overflow of the canal at Rochester to be carried of by use of Rowe St. sewer.

Locks Nos. 47, 48, 49, 51 and 52 lengthened.

1888

Chapter 351 – Lift-bridge to be built at West Main St., Rochester. (Built 1889.)

Chapter 400 – Lift-bridge to be built at Ferry St., Albany. (Built 1889)

Chapter 416 – Appropriation for increasing lockage capacity of canal.

Chapter 417 – Lift-bridge to be built at Schuyler St., Utica.

Chapter 546 – Lift-bridge to be built at Geneva St, Lyons.

Locks Nos. 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 44, 45, 53, 54, 55, 56, 60, 61, 62 and 72 lengthened.

The lengthening of lock No. 46 interrupted by an injunction obtained by Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Co.

85 new boats, with a total tonnage of 18,753 tons, registered during the year.

July 8, – A bad break occurred at Adam’s basin interrupting navigation 12 days.

October 4, – Death of Dennison Richmond, division engineer, middle division, one of the oldest and best, as to service, engaged in the work.

1889

Chapter 51 – For the construction of an iron bridge over canal at Liberty St., Schenectady. (Built 1890.)

Chapter 54 – Appropriation for increasing lockage capacity of the canal.

Chapters 70 and 493 – Appropriations for lengthening lock No. 72.

Chapter 84 – For the construction of an iron bridge over canal at Prospect St., Lockport.

Chapter 100 – Lift-bridge to be built at Caledonia Ave., Rochester. (Built 1891).

Chapters 110,493 and 568 – Provide for increasing the lockage capacity of the canal.

Chapter 141 – Made a misdemeanor to sell ice cut from canals, without marking the same "canal ice."

Chapter 149 – For the improvement of the iron bridge over canal at Main St., Fultonville.

Chapter 213 – Appropriation for repairs to canal at Utica.

Chapter 291 – Skaneateles lake water to be used by Syracuse, with consent of canal board.

Chapter 321 – For the construction of an iron bridge over canal connecting Delaware St., Tonawanda, and Main St., North Tonawanda.

Chapter 380 – Laborers in State employ to be paid not less than $2 per day.

Chapter 481 – For the construction of an iron bridge over canal at Culver St., Rochester. (Built 1890.)

Chapter 557 – For the construction of an iron bridge over canal at George St., Rome.

Locks Nos. 27, 28, 29, 30, 63 and 64 lengthened.

Seven breaks occurred during the season, causing a total delay to navigation of 18 days.

1890

Chapter 168 – Six locks on Erie to be lengthened.

Chapter 177 – Lift-bridge to be constructed over canal from Caledonia Ave., to West Main St., Rochester, pursuant to chapter 100-1889.

Chapter 314 – City of Syracuse to take water from Skaneateles lake.

Chapter 333 – Bridge over canal at Fultonville to be rebuilt, pursuant to chapter 149-1889.

Chapter 338 – Reappropriation unexpended balance for lift-bridge over canal at Schuyler St., Utica, pursuant to chapter 417-1888.

Chapter 338 – Reappropriation unexpended balance for lift-bridge over canal at Geneva St., Lyons, pursuant to chapter 546-1888.

Chapter 338 – Appropriation for lengthening locks on the canal.

Chapter 385 – Sanitary condition of old abandoned canal at Rome to be improved.

May 25, – Bad break near Whitesboro, 300 feet canal bottom and 70 feet tow-path washed away ; navigation delayed 10 days.

February 9, – Death of Thomas Evershed, division engineer, western division.

Locks Nos. 23, 24, 25, 26, 65 and 66 lengthened.

Twenty-four miles of canal bottomed out.

1891

Chapter 69 – Amending chapter 417-1888, provides for a swing-bridge at Schuyler St., Utica (Completed 1892.)

Chapter 77 – For a hoist-bridge at Church St., Schenectady.

Chapter 82 – Additional appropriation for an iron bridge at Main St., North Tonawanda. pursuant to chapter 321-1889. (Completed 1892.)

Chapter 113 – Moyer creek to be improved.

Chapter 138 – For a lift-bridge at Rowe St., Rochester. (Built 1892.)

Chapter 239 – For a bridge at 19th St., West Troy. (Built 1892.)

Chapter 341 – Authorizing Utica to build bridges over canal at Genesee St. (Built 1892.)

Chapter 346 – Penalties for persons driving animals on the tow-path of canals.

Chapter 366 – State not to build street bridges over canal unless street was used as a highway prior to construction of canal.

Steamer Carrie Stewart., with five consorts, pushing one and towing two "double-headers," makes trip from New York to Buffalo and return.

February 18, – Senate resolution requires State Engineer to report concerning bridges constructed on roads not opened when canal was built.

March 2, – Report of State Engineer in pursuance of above resolution.

April 28, – A committee of seven Assemblymen appointed under resolution to investigate canal management during past eleven years.

July 22, – Flat Stone creek aqueduct suddenly collapses; trunk, stone piers, masonry arches demolished; navigation suspended eleven days.

Merchants Exchange, Buffalo, petition Superintendent of Public Works to extend season of navigation to lessen railroad freight rates; time extended five days.

Thirty-eight locks have been lengthened since 1884, at an average cost of $33,000.

Twenty-nine steamers in active service on the Erie canal.

Locks Nos. 40, 41, 42, 43 and 46 lengthened.

1892

Chapter 253 – Part of canal bank beside abandoned canal at Fairport to be removed.

Chapter 382 – Reappropriation unexpended balances for improvement of canal.

Chapter 394 – For a lift-bridge over canal at Water St., Albany; property benefited to bear the expense.

Chapter 476 – Obstruction in canal at Buffalo to be removed.

Chapter 480 – Appropriation for construction of a stone dam over Mohawk river at Little Falls.

Chapter 601 – For an iron bridge over canal at South Madison St., Rome. (Completed 1894.)

Chapter 610 – For a swing-bridge over canal, connecting Mulberry and Lock Sts., Syracuse. (Completed 1894.)

Chapter 612 – For improving sanitation of old abandoned canal at Rome.

February 17, – Assembly resolution requiring a report from Superintendent of Public Works as to what appropriation should be made for bridge construction.

March 3, – Report of Superintendent of Public Works in response to foregoing resolution submitted.

February 24, – Assembly committee appointed on April 28, 1891, report that charges of canal mismanagement are not sustained by the evidence.

1893

Chapter 5 – Appropriation for repairing the upper and lower Mohawk and Schoharie creek aqueducts.

Chapter 14 – For a wrought-iron bridge over canal at Ford St., Rochester. (Completed 1894.)

Chapter 57 – For a hoist-bridge over canal at Clinton St., Syracuse. (Completed 1894.)

Chapter 94 – Bridge at Mulberry St., Syracuse, to be removed and erected over canal at Nichols St., town of DeWitt.

Chapter 119 – For completing State dam and repairing the feeder at Little Falls.

Chapter 119, Sec. 4 – State Engineer to make experiments with electricity as a motor power on canals.

Chapter 136 – For improving Oak Orchard creek and canal feeder.

Chapter 137 – For a foot-bridge over canal at 15th St., West Troy.

Chapter 153 – For construction of wrought-iron bridges over canals at Canal, Prime, Scott and Perry Sts., Buffalo.

Chapter 161 – Approaches to bridge over canal at Brutus to be lengthened and enlarged.

Chapter 197 – For a wrought-iron bridge over canal at Ann St., Little Falls.

Chapter 336 – For a swing or hoist-bridge at Emerson St., Rochester, the city to bear part of expense.

Chapter 420 – Amending chapter 253-1892, provides for filling up abandoned canal between the south bank of new canal and the westerly part of Fairport.

Chapter 560 – Amending chapter 341-1891, for an iron bridge and a lift-bridge at Genesee St., Utica.

Chapter 561 – For a wrought-iron bridge over canal at Bridge St., Amsterdam.

Chapter 562 – For an iron bridge over the abandoned canal at South James St., Rome. (Completed 1894.)

Chapter 567 – Commission appointed to report methods for improving Albany basin.

November 18, – Electricity by trolley, as a power for canal-boats, for experimentally used on canal near Rochester.

1894

Chapter 24 – For strengthening canal embankment, Schenectady.

Chapter 84 – Additional appropriation for improving upper and lower Mohawk and Schoharie creek aqueducts.

Chapter 385 – For a hoist-bridge over canal at Geddes St., Syracuse. (Completed 1895.)

Chapter 423 – For building vertical wall from Gilbert St. to Turner St., Utica.

Chapter 496 – Reappropriations for completing Black river reservoir, Forestport, and canal improvements.

Chapter 559 – For a wrought-iron bridge over canal at Griffith St., Rochester.

Chapter 560 – Additional appropriation for a swing-bridge over canal at Emerson St., Rochester, pursuant to chapter 336-1893. (Completed 1896.)

Chapter 571 – For rebuilding Schoharie creek dam.

Chapter 572 – For increasing the lockage capacity and improvement of the canal.

Chapter 573 – For a lift-bridge over canal at Adam St., Lockport, the city to bear a part of the expense.

Chapter 576 – For a three-truss, wrought-iron, double-roadway bridge over canal at Main St., Fairport.

Chapter 588 – For increasing the depth of water in the Erie basin, Buffalo.

Chapter 592 – For a hoist-bridge over canal at Canajoharie.

Chapter 652 – State Engineer to prepare plans for a complete overhauling of West Main St. lift-bridge, Rochester.

Chapter 653 – For repairing and extending retaining wall, Saint Paul St., Rochester.

Forestport reservoir completed ; begun to 1884.

Recommendations of Constitutional Convention concerning canal improvements ratified by a majority of 115,353 votes.

Art. VII, Sec. 6, of State Constitution amended, permitting sale of Main and Hamburg canal.

Lock No. 19 lengthened.

1895

Chapter 18 – For a wrought-iron bridge over canal at Mill St., Buffalo. (Completed 1896.)

Chapter 67 – For construction of a waste-weir and spillway near lock No. 41.

Chapter 79 – "Nine million-dollar act." People to decide whether such sum shall be spent in improving Erie, Champlain and Oswego canals.

Chapter 89 – Provision for State’s share of construction expenses of hoist-bridge, Clinton St., Syracuse.

Chapter 99 – For improvements at Owasco lake.

Chapter 139 – For a bridge over canal at Main Ave., Cohoes.

Chapter 141 – For a bridge over canal at High St., Cohoes.

Chapter 151 – For completion of a bridge over canal at Main St., Fairport, pursuant to chapter 578-1894. (Completed 1896.)

Chapter 170 – Public Works Department to make alterations of the bridges and to change machinery for operating same at Genesee St., Utica.

Chapter 217 – For an iron bridge over canal at Main St., Newark. (Completed 1896.)

Chapter 219 – Reappropriation for experiments with electricity as a motor power on canals, pursuant to chapter 119-1893.

Chapter 219 – Reappropriation for Emerson St. bridge, Rochester, pursuant to chapter 336-1893.

Chapter 219 – Reappropriation for bridge at DeWitt, pursuant to chapter 94-1893.

Chapter 224 – For deepening and improving the Erie basin, Buffalo.

Chapter 288 – For repairs and improvements to canal wall, berme side, Schenectady.

Chapter 299 – For construction of vertical wall, berme side, Higginsville.

Chapter 311 – For a hoist-bridge over canal at Genesee St., Syracuse, city to bear one-half the expense.

Chapter 320 – For improving locks Nos. 21 and 22 at Clifton Park.

Chapter 367 – For vertical wall, berme side, between Clay and Hubbell Sts., Utica.

Chapter 476 – For strengthening canal embankments at Gasport.

Chapter 492 – For improvements to State St. bridge, Schenectady.

Chapter 514 – For a bridge over canal at Exchange St., Rochester. (Completed 1896.)

Chapter 560 – For repairs to canal dam at Rexford Flats.

Chapter 590 – For a bridge over canal at Porter Ave., Buffalo.

Chapter 680 – For a wrought-iron or steel bridge over canal at German St., Little Falls. (Completed 1898.)

Chapter 968 – For completing vertical wall berme side, at Gilbert St., Utica.

Chapter 969 – For repairing culvert at Sullivan.

November 5, – People ratify provisions of chapter 79-1895 by a majority of 276,886 votes.

Successful experiments made with Lamb’s system electrical towing of canal boats at Tonawanda.

April 11, – Death of John Bisgood, division engineer, western division; aged 72 years, 42 of which were spent in canal service.

June 5, – Break near Pattersonville, delays navigation eight days.

Telephone line connecting Forestport and North Lake built by Superintendent of Public Works for canal purposes.

1896

Chapter 188 – Creates the office of Deputy Superintendent of Public Works.

Chapter 292 – For improving sanitary condition of bed of old Erie canal at Minden.

Chapter 482 – Reappropriation for Adam St. bridge, Lockport, pursuant to chapter 573-1894.

Chapter 482 – Reappropriation for hoist-bridge at Canajoharie, pursuant to chapter 592-1894.

Chapter 482 – Reappropriation for bridge over canal at Porter Ave., Buffalo, pursuant to chapter 668-1894. (Completed 1897.)

Chapter 492 – Amending section 75 of article V, chapter 338-1894, gives Superintendent of Public Works power to remove encroachments from canal lands.

Chapter 521 – To provide for placing buoys in Erie basin, Buffalo.

Chapter 791 – For a bridge over Oak Orchard creek feeder at Shelby St., Medina.

Chapter 794 – Amending chapter 79-1895, regulates the making of contracts for work on the canal.

Chapter 881 – Regulates the use of floating elevators on the canals.

Chapter 947 – Appropriates $50,000 for electric communication between canal stations.

Chapter 947 – Appropriates $125,000 for improvements to each of the three divisions of State canals.

Chapter 949 – Reappropriation for improving Rocky rift feeder, pursuant to chapter 932-1895.

Chapter 950 – For deficit in expense of lengthening lock No. 20.

Chapter 950 – For repairs to State dyke, Amsterdam.

Chapter 950 – For completing State ditch, town of Elbridge, Onondaga County.

Chapter 950 – Covering deficit in matter of Emerson St. bridge, Rochester, pursuant to chapters 336-1893 and 560-1894.

Chapter 950 – Supplementing chapter 311-1895, provides for completion of a hoist-bridge over canal at West Genesee St., Syracuse.

Chapter 950 – Supplementing chapter 175-1895, provides for installation of electric apparatus for operating Genesee St. lift-bridges at Utica.

January 13, – Work on surveys begun for canal improvements under chapter 79-1895.

March 30, – High water and floating ice from Tonawanda creek carries out spillway of dam near Pendleton.

Construction work begun for deepening to 9 ft.

1897

Chapter 32 – For a bridge over canal at Fitzhugh St., Rochester. (Completed May 10, 1899.)

Chapter 43 – Unexpended balance of chapter 79-1895 reappropriated for improvement of canals,

Chapter 105 – For a hoist-bridge over canal at Railroad St., Ilion (Completed 1898.)

Chapter 207 – For a new steel bridge over canal at Monroe Ave., Rochester.

Chapter 339 – For a bridge over canal at South Clinton St., Rochester. (Completed May 31, 1899.)

Chapter 562 – Additional appropriation to that of chapter 592-1894, for a lift-bridge over canal at Canajoharie.

Chapter 563 – For a lift-bridge over canal at Whitesboro St., Utica, city to bear part of expense.

Chapter 565 – For a lift-bridge over canal at Broad St., Utica, city to bear part of expense.

Chapter 566 – Appropriates $360,000 for improvement of canals.

Chapter 568 – For a bridge over canal at Hamilton St., Buffalo.

Chapter 569 – Appropriation for progression of the improvements of canal provided for by chapter 79-1895.

Chapter 571 – For a swing-bridge over canal at Salina St., Syracuse, city to pay one-half the expense.

Chapter 572 – Reappropriates unexpended balance for German St. bridge, Little Falls, pursuant to chapter 680-1895.

Chapter 572 – Unexpended balance for Nichols St. bridge, DeWitt, provided by chapter 94-1893, reappropriated.

Chapter 572 – Reappropriates unexpended balances provided by chapter 514-1895, for Exchange St. bridge, Rochester. (Completed 1898.)

Chapter 572 – Reappropriates unexpended balance provided by chapter 170-1895, for Genesee St. bridges, Utica.

Chapter 576 – For a lift-bridge, also a foot-bridge over canal at Fort Plain. (Completed 1898.)

Chapter 790 – Appropriation for completion of bridge over canal feeder at Medina as per chapter 791-1896.

Chapter 791 – Additional appropriation for Exchange St. bridge, Rochester, pursuant to chapter 514-1895.

July 23, – Disastrous break in towing-path of Forestport feeder; large gangs working night and day, make repairs in 30 days.

1898

Chapter 15, as amended by 327 – Governor to appoint a commission to investigate affairs of canal improvement.

Chapter 295 – Main and Hamburg canal abandoned to the City of Buffalo.

Chapter 397 – For a lift-bridge over canal at Washington St., Utica, city to bear part of the expense.

Chapter 424 – For a hoist-bridge over canal at Catherine and Almond Sts., Syracuse.

Chapter 427 – For a lift-bridge over canal at Schuyler St., Utica.

Chapter 504 – For a bridge over canal at Main St., Pittsford.

Chapter 552 - Reappropriates unexpended balance for establishing electrical communication between canal stations, pursuant to chapter 947-1896.

Chapter 552 – Reappropriates unexpended balance for bridge at Canajoharie, pursuant to chapter 592-1894.

Chapter 552 – Reappropriates unexpended balance for bridge at Adam St., Lockport, pursuant to chapter 573-1894.

Chapter 606 – For a bridge over canal at West Genesee St., Syracuse, pursuant to chapters 311-1895 and 950-1896.

Chapter 606 – Appropriation for Porter Ave. bridge, Buffalo, pursuant to chapter 590-1895.

Chapter 606 – Appropriation for completion of bridge over canal at Fitzhugh St., Rochester, pursuant to chapter 32-1897.

Chapter 606 – Appropriation for completion of bridge over Oak Orchard creek feeder at Medina, pursuant to chapter 791-1896.

Chapter 607 – Additional appropriation for completion of Monroe Ave. bridge, Rochester, pursuant to chapter 207-1897.

Chapter 611 – For a bridge over canal at Erie St., Buffalo.

Chapter 618 – For a lift-bridge over canal at Brighton.

Chapter 620 – For repairs to Oriskany creek feeder, town of Kirkland.

Chapter 625 – For a new iron bridge over canal at South George St., Rome.

Chapter 626 – For a lift-bridge over canal at Peterboro St., Canastota.

Chapter 630 – For a wrought-iron bridge over canal between Pendleton and Pickard’s bridge, Erie and Niagara counties.

Chapter 633 – For vertical wall on each side of Oneida feeder, at Oneida.

Chapter 635 – For increasing depth of water in Erie basin, Buffalo, 150 feet wide and 20 feet deep.

Bad break near lock No. 24; opening 250 feet long and 22 feet below canal bottom. Repaired in nine days.

March 8, – Governor appoints seven prominent citizens, pursuant to chapters 15 and 327-1898.

Work of improvement suspended; funds exhausted.

May 23, – Bad break in towing-path of Forestport feeder – caused maliciously.

July 30, – Investigating Commission reports.

November 28, – Edwin Countryman, Governor’s special counsel, advises submission of the Commission’s report to the grand jury.

December 2, – Superintendent of Public Works suspended from office, at his own request.

1899

Chapter 220 – Reappropriates unexpended balance for improvement of the canal, pursuant to Chapter 569-1897.

Chapter 280 – Amending section 37, chapter 338-1894, providing that the act compensating for damages sustained through canal construction or management shall not extend to those resulting from the navigation thereof.

Chapter 477 – Reappropriates unexpended balance for bridge over canal at Fitzhugh St., Rochester, pursuant to chapter 32-1897.

Chapter 477 – Reappropriates unexpended balance for bridge over canal at Monroe Ave., Rochester, pursuant to chapter 207-1897.

Chapter 477 – Reappropriates unexpended balance for bridge over canal at South Clinton St., Rochester, pursuant to chapter 399-1897.

Chapter 477 – Reappropriates unexpended balance for bridge over canal at Canajoharie, pursuant to chapter 562-1897.

Chapter 477 – Reappropriates unexpended balance for bridge over canal at Broad St., Utica, pursuant to chapter 565-1897.

Chapter 477 – Reappropriates unexpended balance for bridge over canal at Hamilton St., Buffalo, pursuant to chapter 568-1897.

Chapter 477 – Reappropriates unexpended balance for completion of bridge over canal at Exchange St., Rochester, pursuant to chapter 791-1897.

Chapter 519 – For the construction of pneumatic lock and canal connections in place of "sixteens" at Cohoes, at private expense. (Nothing done.)

Chapter 544 - Authorizes canal board to terminate contracts made for improvement of major canals, pursuant to chapter 79-1895.

Chapter 549 – For a new steel bridge over canal at West Ave., Rochester. (Completed August 1, 1902.)

Chapter 569 – For bridge over canal at German St., Little Falls, pursuant to chapter 680-1895.

Chapter 569 – For bridge over canal at Railroad St., Ilion, pursuant to chapter 105-1897.

Chapter 569 – For completion of bridge over Oak Orchard creek feeder, Medina pursuant to chapters 791-1896 and 606-1898.

Chapter 572 – For bridge over canal at South George St., Rome, pursuant to chapter 625-1898.

Chapter 573 – For a wrought-iron bridge over canal at Chapel St., Lockport. (Completed October, 1901.)

Chapter 596 – For a steel bridge over canal at Minden.

Chapter 625 – For bridge over canal at Brainard St., Whitesboro.

January 19, – Senate resolution requests State Engineer and Superintendent of Public Works to report status of canal operations under chapter 79-1895.

February 7, – Report called for by above resolution submitted.

March 8, – Governor appoints commission of seven – State Engineer, Superintendent of Public Works and five prominent citizens to report best policy to be adopted in reference to canals.

May 9, – Break in berme bank, Spencerport, destroys waste-weir 12 and culvert 47; repaired in seven days with full head of water in canal.

September 18, – Disastrous break in tow-path, Forestport feeder, near breaks of 1897 and 1898; caused maliciously; repaired, 17 days; cost of repairing three breaks, over $130.000.

Navigable season, April 26 to December 1, – longest since 1882.

1900

Chapter 16 – Additional appropriation for bridge over canal at Chapel St., Lockport, pursuant to chapter 573-1899.

Chapter 81 – Authorizes canal board to "terminate, settle and adjust" between the parties to all contracts made for improvement of canal, pursuant to chapter 79-1895.

Chapter 311 – Comptroller to borrow $350,000 for extraordinary repairs and improvements to structures and works on canals.

Chapter 402 – Additional appropriation for hoist-bridge over canal at Washington St., Utica, pursuant to chapter 397-1898.

Chapter 411 – Appropriates $200,000 for surveys, estimates, etc., of canal improvements suggested by Commission of March 8, 1899. (Barge canal.)

Chapter 417 – Reappropriates unexpended balance for installing electrical communication between canal stations, pursuant to chapters 947-1896 and 552-1898.

Chapter 417 – Reappropriates unexpended balance for hoist-bridge over canal at Schuyler St., Utica, pursuant to chapter 427-1898.

Chapter 417 – Reappropriates unexpended balance for bridge over canal at Main St., Pittsford, pursuant chapter 504-1898.

Chapter 417 – Reappropriates unexpended balance for bridge over canal at Adam St., Lockport, pursuant to chapters 573-1894 and 552-1898.

Chapter 417 – Reappropriates unexpended balance for bridge over Oak Orchard creek feeder at Medina, pursuant to chapter 606-1898.

Chapter 417 – Reappropriates unexpended balance for bridge over canal at Erie St., Buffalo, pursuant to chapter 611-1898.

Chapter 417 – Reappropriates unexpended balance for wrought-iron and steel lift-bridge over canal at Brighton, pursuant to chapter 618-1898.

Chapter 417 – Reappropriates unexpended balance for iron bridge over canal at South George St., Rome, pursuant to chapter 625-1898.

Chapter 417 – Reappropriates unexpended balance for hoist-bridge over canal at Peterboro St., {see errata.} Canastota, pursuant to chapter 626-1898.

Chapter 417 – Reappropriates unexpended balance for wrought-iron bridge over canal between Pendleton and Pickard’s bridge, pursuant to chapter 630-1898.

Chapter 418 – For a bridge over the canal at South Fitzhugh St., Rochester, pursuant to chapters 32-1897 and 606-1898.

Chapter 419 – For a bridge over canal at Whitesboro St., Utica, pursuant to chapter 563-1897.

Chapter 426 – Additional appropriation for bridge over Oak Orchard creek feeder, Shelby St., Medina, pursuant to chapters 606-1898 and 791-1896.

Chapter 430 – For a bridge over canal at Pine and Lock Sts., Lockport. (Completed February 8, 1902.)

Chapter 440 – For a steel bridge over canal at 23rd St., Watervliet.

Chapter 457 – Additional appropriation for hoist-bridge over canal at Minden, pursuant to chapter 596-1899.

Chapter 537 – Reappropriates unexpended balance for hoist-bridge over canal at Washington St., Utica, pursuant to chapter 397-1898.

Chapter 547 – Additional appropriation for hoist-bridge over canal at Catherine and Almond Sts., Syracuse, pursuant to chapter 424-1898.

Chapter 714 – Lift-bridge over canal at 19th St., Watervliet, to be operated by Superintendent of Public Works but at expense of city.

January 15, – Commission of March 8, 1899, report in favor of Barge canal for 1,000-ton boats; estimated cost, $60,000,000.

Surveys for Barge canal made during year by large force of engineers.

1901

Chapter 29. Sec. 7 – Method of abating public nuisance caused by water escaping from the canals.

Chapter 108 – Reappropriates unexpended balance for improvement, pursuant to chapters 569-1897 and 220-1899.

Chapter 428 – Additional appropriation and reappropriation of unexpended balance for bridge over canal at Brainard St., Whitesboro, pursuant chapter 625-1899.

Chapter 483 – Companies organized for canal navigation may have $4,000,000 capital stock and 50 years of corporate life.

Chapter 645 – Appropriation for improvement of bridge at Peterboro St., Canastota.

Chapter 645 – For an iron or steel bridge at Lyell Ave., Rochester. (Completed July 26, 1902.)

Chapter 645 – For a bridge over canal at Warren St., Syracuse, the city and the Syracuse Rapid Transit R. R. Co. to bear part of expense.

Chapter 687 – Reappropriates unexpended balance for hoist-bridge over canal at Chapel St., Lockport, pursuant to chapter 573-1899.

Chapter 687 – Reappropriates unexpended balance for steel bridge over canal at Minden, pursuant to chapter 596-1899.

Chapter 687 – Reappropriates unexpended balance for bridge over canal West Ave., Rochester, pursuant to chapter 549-1899.

Chapter 693 – For a bridge over canal west of upper Mohawk aqueduct, Rexford Flats.

Chapter 732 – For a wrought-iron or steel lift-bridge over canal at Plymouth Ave., Rochester, expense of operating same to be paid by the city.

March 15, – Special Message of the Governor, transmitting State Engineer’s report, surveys, etc., of proposed Barge canal.

October 14, – Death of T. C. Leutze, division engineer, eastern division.

1902

Chapter 340 – Amending the "Canal Law," concerning the crossing of canals by street railways.

Chapter 472 – Appropriation for reconstruction of retaining walls at 14th St., Watervliet.

Chapter 476 – Additional appropriation and reappropriation of unexpended balance for bridge over canal at Canajoharie, pursuant to chapters 592-1894 and 562-1897.

September 14, – Break at Durhamville; westerly arch of culvert 37 gives way ; navigation delayed 10 days.

1903

Chapter 147 – Provision for raising $101,000,000 for improvement of Erie, Champlain and Oswego canals, if the people approve.

Chapter 573 – Reappropriates unexpended balance for Plymouth Ave. bridge, Rochester, pursuant to chapter 732-1901.

Chapter 573 – Additional appropriation and reappropriation of unexpended balance for bridge west of upper Mohawk aqueduct, pursuant to chapter 693-1901.

Chapter 600 – For restoring approaches to Seneca St. bridge, Weedsport.

March 2, – State Engineer, responding to legislative inquiries, estimates probable cost of Barge canal at $100,562,993.

October 15, – Severe storm badly damages feeder banks at Rexford Flats and the towing-path from lock 27 to Schenectady.

October, – Experiments with Wood’s system of electrical propulsion for canal-boats made near Schenectady.

November, – Majority in favor of constructing Barge canal, 245,312 votes.

December 14, – Six surveying parties sent out by State Engineer on Barge canal work.

1904

Chapter 632 – Reappropriates unexpended balance for bridge over canal at Canajoharie, pursuant to chapter 476-1902.

Chapter 729 – For a steel bridge over canal at Willis Ave. and Van Vleck road, Onondaga County.

Chapter 730 – For reconstruction of embankment, slope walls, etc.

March 24, – Bad break near Fort Hunter caused by ice jam in Mohawk river; 1,500 ft. embankment near Amsterdam carried away.

Two miles slope wall on berme bank, between Mays Point and Division bridge slid into the canal.

December, – First bids opened for Barge canal.

1906

Chapter 143 – Reappropriation pursuant to chapter 147-1903.

Chapter 172 – Appropriation for repairs and improvements of structures on canal.

Chapter 451 - Repeals section 51, chapter 317-1894, giving preference to adjoining owners in sales of abandoned canal lands.

Chapter 700 – For cleaning State ditches along the canal.

Chapter 709 – For repairs and improvements to structures on the canal.

Chapter 710 – Appropriation for interest for year 1905 on canal debt created by chapter 147-1903.

Chapter 711 – Appropriation for interest for year 1904 on canal debt created by chapter 147-1903.

Chapter 740 – Amending chapter 147-1903, relating to locks and channel of canal.

April, – First contracts awarded for Barge canal.

June 7, – First work on Erie canal division of Barge canal at Waterford.



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