Canals and waterways of western Europe

Abstract

A history of the waterways of the world would tell a great part of the story of early human migration and the rise and growth of commercial intercourse. In early days, it was by rivers rather than by forest tracks that primeval peoples became acquainted. Roads and canals followed as the first artificial highways, and, finally, with the application of steam power, came the rail-road. With the advent of the railway, canals played a much smaller part in the economy of transport; and throughout the world, with the exception of the Low Countries, business men ceased to attach much importance to the canal as a factor in the transport system. But as time went on, and the capacity of railways in solving the question of goods traffic was recognised to be limited, attention was again given to inland navigation. The digging of the canal across the Isthmus of Suez, a colossal feat of engineering at the time, aroused the world, and set men thinking, that perhaps, after all, the day of canals had not passed. From that time until to-day, but more especially during the last fifteen years, there has been a considerable revival of interest, in Europe and in the United States, in the question of canals and inland waterways. It came to be recognised that it is not only in the item of cheapness that water transport excels. It possesses other advantages.