The 10c coil stamp issued by the U.S. Postal Service on 11 April 1987 depicts a canal boat of the type used to transport passengers and freight on the American canals in the 19th century.
There were numerous local canals in the United States, but the Erie Canal completed in 1825 was the most important. It provided inexpensive water transportation between the East Coast and the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley regions.
Most of this canal boats were made to meet the limitations of the locks on a particular canal system.
She was generally long and narrow, with bluff nearly vertical ends.
Canal transportation was at its peak from 1825 to the Civil War.
In 1826, a 25-ton canal boat could be hired for US$4 per day which included the skipper, a mule and a mule driver.
The standard freight rate at that time was 3c per ton-mile.
Many travellers preferred the placid four mile per hour canal boat ride to the bone-shaking stage coach.
A cabin in the stern provided passenger facilities, with an awing-covered lounge area on top of the cabin.
The development of the railroad put the canal boats out of business.
U.S.A. 1967 5c sg1305, scott1325. 1985 10c sg2163a, scott2257.
Source: Watercraft Philately 34/02