The Morris Canal series of caches are placed along the canal towpath in partnership with the Waterloo Village Historic Site and the Canal Society of New Jersey to showcase the important early transportation across New Jersey. The Morris Canal connected the Delaware and Hudson Rivers and facilitated development of cities and industry in New York and New Jersey.
Canal boats were moved by mule power. The canal's 102-mile meander across northern New Jersey, from Phillipsburg to Jersey City, was walked by every mule driver for every team that pulled a canal boat from 1831 to 1924. On the Morris Canal, mule drivers were often children.
Mules pulled the boats at 3-4 miles per hour depending on whether the boats were loaded or unloaded. It would take about 5 days to cross the state. Boats did not travel on Sundays.
Mules resting while a boat locks through
The condition of his team of mules reflected on a canal boat captain. When the team was in poor condition, the boat would not make good time in its journey between Phillipsburg and Jersey City, which took an average of five days. The mules - or horses, which were sometimes used - would walk and tow the boat sometimes until 9 or 10 at night, often until reaching a lock or inclined plane where the captain would tie up for the night. The team would be brought to a barn and given fresh hay.
Most teams consisted of two animals. A "Jersey Team" of one white mule and one dark mule was most common.
Memorial to Jersey Team
Occasionally three mules were used. With a larger team, the boats would make better time, perhaps completing the trip in four days instead of five. Also, a larger team could pull a heavier load, increasing the captain's pay per trip.