Full episode available on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SilentGeneration

For roughly seven decades from 1790 to 1855, water transportation was the dominant form of transportation in the United States. This week’s episode of Silent Generation begins with an examination of one of the most important pieces of infrastructure that enabled it to be so prosperous, the Erie Canal. Nathan and Sebastien then detail waterways that enable freight shipping to remain competitive in the present day like the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Mississippi River. They then transition to discussing what they like about passenger ferry services like the Staten Island Ferry, NYC Ferry, and the Chicago Water Taxi. The episode concludes with a debate about why urbanists don’t typically care about water transportation, and whether urban waterways can be used for purposes other than recreation. 

Links:

Sebastien’s Survey of Old Erie Canal

The Erie Canal - American History Hit

Low Bridge, Everybody Down

The Death and Life of the Great Lakes by Dan Egan

The End of the World is Just the Beginning by Peter Zeihan

The Port of Chicago is not just a scar on the city’s shoreline and a threat to the environment. It’s a drag on economic growth by John Lippert

Ferry Travel in the 21st Century by James Gilcher

NYC Ferry Map

Big Changes Coming to NYC Ferry

Chicago Water Taxi

Where did all of the American Canals go? - Alan Fisher

Artwork:

Washington State ferry, 1960's

Recorded on 3/30/2026