How did people travel on the Erie Canal?

People traveled on the Erie Canal in boats called packet boats. These boats were long and narrow, with a flat bottom and a shallow draft. They were drawn by horses or mules that walked along a towpath on the bank of the canal. Packet boats were used to transport both people and goods. They were an important means of transportation in the early 19th century, before the advent of railroads.

Here is a more detailed description of how packet boats worked:

* Packet boats were typically between 80 and 100 feet long and 12 to 14 feet wide.

* They had a draft of only about 3 feet, which allowed them to navigate the shallow waters of the Erie Canal.

* The boats were powered by sails, oars, or poles. However, the most common method of propulsion was by horse or mule power.

* A team of horses or mules would be hitched to a rope that was attached to the bow of the boat. The animals would then walk along the towpath, pulling the boat behind them.

* Packet boats could travel at a speed of about 3 to 4 miles per hour.

* They were typically able to carry up to 100 passengers and a large amount of cargo.

* Packet boats were used to transport a variety of goods, including food, clothing, furniture, and agricultural products. They also transported people, including immigrants, settlers, and tourists.

* The Erie Canal was a very important transportation route in the early 19th century. It helped to connect the East Coast with the Midwest and played a major role in the development of the United States.