The foundation of Ohio River canalization: District in possession of original survey maps

Published June 23, 2010

Tucked away in a safe place inside the Romano Mazzoli Federal Building sits a relic of the Corps’ history and influence on inland navigation in the region —original survey maps of the entire Ohio River main stem dating to 1881.

Louisville District archaeologist Keith Keeney acquired the maps from the Memphis District of the Mississippi River Valley Division in the spring of 2004 after a busted water line flooded a storage room in the basement. A colleague and friend of Keeney’s, working in the Memphis District at the time, discovered the maps during the clean-up and relayed a message to him of the maps existence.

"They were clearing the area out and thought I’d be interested in the maps," Keeney said.

The maps are based on hydrographic and topographic surveys of the river between 1837 and 1866, and consist of 42 sheets measuring 28 inches by 18 inches. They were printed in a monochrome lithographic style.

A total of 52 maps are printed on 38 different sheets (some two on a page). There are also two index sheets, a cover page, and a page of notes in the back. While photocopies of these maps exist, this complete set is one of four known originals left in the country, and the earliest ever Ohio River maps published by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

At the time, these maps served as a basis for all Ohio River studies and were crucial to decisions regarding the placement and eventual development of structural improvements. They provided information on hazards, commercial interests, regional demographics and much more.

The reason for their presence in Memphis is unclear, but it is thought that a set may have been given to other Corps commands at the time as a courtesy. Keeney considers the set of maps to be a "dirty or working copy" since many of the pages contain pencil notations of historic boat landings, local populations, ferries, shoals in the river, roads, location of property owners and towns. The exact date and author of these pencil writings is unknown, but according to Keeney, they "add to the historical significance of the document." These maps were eventually replaced with a set developed from 1911 to 1914.

A careful examination of the document, and research of written district histories, reveals the nature of its development and links to significant historical figures and events. The front cover of the document lists the three engineers who lead the various surveys, the years they were conducted, and the distances and lengths of each. The first was led by Lt. John Sanders from 1837-1838 and extended from Pittsburgh to Letart, Ohio. Sanders believed a survey map of the Upper Ohio River showing the hydraulic and topographical character of the river would need to be completed before river improvements such as dikes, dams and locks could be built.

Sanders and his survey parties found that the Upper Ohio had a greater slope and more rocky shoals than the lower section of the river. Their survey also concluded that the Upper Ohio was much shallower. At one point during Sanders’ survey in 1838, only 12 inches of water was available on some shoals. The low water actually shutdown steamboat navigation from July 20 to Nov. 8. This survey was aborted in 1839 when Sanders was ordered to New York City to participate in the fortification construction of New York harbor. Charles Fuller attempted to continue the survey work in 1844, but completed only 37 miles to Clipper Mills, Ohio before funding for all waterway projects was terminated by Congress and more focus was given to the Mexican-American War and later to the American Civil War. Maps of Sander’s and Fuller’s surveys of the Upper Ohio River were prepared in 1844 and 1845.

Following the Civil War, there was a renewed interest within the government and Corps to resume the development of open-channel projects for the country’s inland waterways, resulting in the passage of the Harbors Act of 1866. Using this authority, Chief of Engineers Maj. Gen. Richard Delafield recommended William Milnor Roberts to the position of superintendent of Ohio River Survey Rivers. Roberts’ first task was to develop a comprehensive and detailed survey of navigation on the Ohio River to facilitate future improvements and commercial interests in the region.

Familiar with the surveys of Sanders and Fuller, Roberts acquired a steamboat and enlisted the help of son Thomas Roberts and George Rowley, a river pilot, to update the initial surveys and finish the remaining 696 miles of the Ohio River, to Cairo, Ill. Roberts completed this survey in 1868. Maps and reports drawn from these surveys were not completed or printed until June 14, 1881 under the command of Lt. Col. W.E. Merrill. The resulting documents served as the foundation for the canalization of the Ohio River.

Despite their antiquity, Keeney feels that the maps still offer practical and historical use to the agency.

"There is lot of information on these maps that could be of benefit to us," he said. "With them, and the subsequent 1911-1914 and 1960s Ohio River maps, we have over 170 years of detailed survey information on the Ohio River. Plus the survey information was well before our structural improvements to the river. It’s incredible!" Keeney said.

However, before the maps can be used as sources again, they need to be preserved. Time and use have taken their toll on the maps causing their destabilization. In an effort to prevent further damage, Keeney contacted certified archivist Natalie Drew from the St. Louis District’s Mandatory Center of Expertise for the Curation Management of Archaeological Collections. Drew and a colleague drove to Louisville to examine the maps and take photographs in hopes to outline treatment options.

Upon reviewing the map, Drew said that acidity from the type of paper used in those times has contributed to the maps’ destabilization. Also, the original paper containing the drawings was transferred to a linen fabric that was then adhered into a scrapbook. This transfer has also caused the maps to flake off when the book is opened.

"Over time, what has happened, is that it becomes so acidic that when you open it up, it becomes like confetti," Drew said.

Drew recommends a mechanical conservation of the maps only. No chemical treatments of the maps will be used. Her efforts would include encapsulation and dry process surface cleaning. Encapsulating the document would mean encasing the document in double-sided Mylar tape. First though, Drew said the map’s surface would be cleaned using bags of white vinyl eraser shreds and possibly a vulcanized rubber sponge.

The next step would be to scan the map sso that they can be preserved electronically and copied. Drew said she’s worked with a specialist whom deals with the large scale photography of unique and fragile objects. The process does not require "sewing" different photos together to form a whole piece at high resolution. The copies will allow the district to share this unique resource with outside interests, including museums and educational institutions.