About Bridge Abutment


July 29, 2016
Author: Jim Lee III

Narrated by,
Jim Lee Jr.




Narrative

About Bridge Abutment


July 29, 2016
Author: Jim Lee III

Narrated by,
Jim Lee Jr.




Narrative

About Bridge Abutment

About Bridge Abutment

This stone bridge abutment elevated Morris Canal Bridge #6 over the canal so that boats could pass underneath.

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The mortared northern stone bridge abutment at the base of Plane 9 West supported Morris Canal Bridge #6 which carried road traffic across the combined waters of Lopatcong Creek and the Morris Canal. The bridge’s elevated camelback design was necessary to provide enough clearance for empty boats to pass beneath. The original path of what is now County Route 519 once traveled this bridge and through the small cluster of buildings known as Port Warren. A blacksmith’s shop was situated just north of the abutment and a mule shed once stood in what is now County Route 519. The southern abutment, which survives as only a ruin, was situated next to Kline’s store, a three-story stone building with a gable end third story door and winch to facilitate the loading and unloading of boats. The Morris Canal’s bridges, which turned as sharp angle to cross the canal, were notoriously dangerous for automobile drivers.


Explore Historic Morris Canal
Plane 9 West Sites

About Plane 9

About Plane 9

This site is the former home of the late James S. Lee, Sr. (pictured left), Morris Canal author and historian. Plan 9 West is located on Rt. 519 1/2 mile south of Route 57 intersection east of Phillipsburg. The address for obtaining directions is 477 County Route 519, Stewartsville NJ 08886. Some facts about Plane…

Canal Prism (West of Stryker’s Road)

Canal Prism (West of Stryker’s Road)

The prism is the watered channel of the canal that carried boats between the canal’s locks and inclined planes.

Bridge abutment

Bridge abutment

This stone bridge abutment elevated Morris Canal Bridge #6 over the canal so that boats could pass underneath.

Waste Weir at Stryker’s

Waste Weir at Stryker’s

The ruins of a waste weir are located between Stryker’s Road and the bottom of Plane 9 West that helped regulate the level of water in the canal.

Brakeman’s House

Brakeman’s House

The Brakeman’s house is probably the original plane tender’s house for Plane 9 West.

Plane Tender’s House

Plane Tender’s House

The two-family Plane Tender’s House was built around 1850 for the plane tender and his family as well as another canal employee.

Bottom of the Plane

Bottom of the Plane

Canal boats were loaded on and off of cradle cars that carried the boats on rails up the inclined plane.

Tailrace

Tailrace

The tailrace carried water exhausted from the turbine down to the bottom of the inclined plane.

Top of Turbine Chamber

Top of Turbine Chamber

At the top of the turbine chamber there was a large wooden structure known as the Power House.