Rare text and pair of maps relating to the surveying of harbors along Lake Erie in the United States, specifically focusing on Van Buren Harbor and Dunkirk Harbor. These surveys were conducted in the early 19th century, a period marked by significant development and expansion in the United States following the completion of the Erie Canal, including infrastructure improvements and the exploration of waterways for navigation, commerce, and military purposes.
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Van Buren Harbor Survey: Conducted in June 1836 by Samuel B. Cushing, a civil engineer. This survey produced a chart of Van Buren Harbor, located in Chautauqua County, New York. The work of civil engineers like Cushing was crucial in mapping and developing infrastructure projects during this era, contributing to the understanding and utilization of natural resources and transportation routes.
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Dunkirk Harbor Survey: Carried out by T.S. Brown, a U.S. Engineer, with the assistance of Lieutenant G.W. Morell. This indicates the involvement of military personnel and engineers in surveying efforts, which was common at the time due to their technical expertise and the strategic importance of harbors. Dunkirk Harbor's survey, like that of Van Buren Harbor, was part of broader efforts to assess and enhance harbor facilities along Lake Erie's shores for navigation and trade.
These surveys reflect the broader context of the United States in the 1830s, a period of growth and development, especially in the Northeast and along the Great Lakes, where waterways were essential for transporting goods and people. The involvement of civil and military engineers highlights the strategic and economic importance of such infrastructure projects in the nation's expansion and development.