Plane 9 West on New Jersey's Morris Canal: A Computer Animation

[@hoadrn2820]

This is fascinating! How ingenious were these people?! I have an original James Lee 1973 Morris Canal book I just got from my grandparents house.

[@donhutcheson4374]

Thank you so much! So great to see such a carefully-made animation. I have been an avid canal enthusiast since 1975 when at age 25, I spent the summer crewing a 70', long, 7' wide horse-drawn narrow boat based out of Rickmansworth, London. We took about 8 new passengers per week through the largely restored UK canal system. Best summer of my life. I now own a small section of the sadly derelict Morris canal in Washington and often imagine what it must have looked like when operational.

[@Paul_in_NJ]

I marvel, not just at the ingenuity of the men who designed the canal system, but at the artistry of Warwick Lambert who put this animation together. It's a very clear explanation. I was taken by the silence that must have reigned then -- just the sounds of the country, and the creaking of the canal machinery, with perhaps the occasional motorcar.

[@redthepost]

The engineering of this operation is mind boggling. Thank you for assembling this presentation. Brilliant work.

[@BruceFJRay]

Thank you so much for this video. I'm originally from Paterson, NJ. The north end. But, my American Polish grand parents, were from the south side. Near to the Morris canal. As a kid, I remember them well telling us about the days when they would ice skate on the canal, during the winter season. Thank you again.

[@chrisjacobsen1659]

Such a cool video, I live across the street from here. It's a great restoration. Awesome history.

[@jimalden9355]

I have just discovered this and am gobsmacked!! Wow! Having been a Morris Canal devotee since 1975...a long time...I have dreamed of what it must have been like to see and hear one of it's inclined planes in action. And you have managed to accomplish just that. So many times, when I volunteered at the canal museum at Waterloo, I have explained the workings of the plane. How fun to have been able to show them this awesome video. Well done!!

[@claraguzman6842]

Great video! I was born in Woodside Queens, but I lived for 25 years in Bayonne, NJ. There was a Provident bank that I used to go to which had a painting of the Morris canal that I always found fascinating. I also worked as a mate on the Schooner Pioneer out of the South Street Seaport in NYC. We used to make trips to what is left of the canal in Jersey City. I always tried to imagine what it would have been like to see the canal in its heyday. This video brings it more to life for me. It's nice to see some of the people who were involved in this very important part of our history. Thank you for this video.

[@petersipp5247]

Excellent. Like the sounds of the wood barges on the tow cars. The wire ropes that moved the boats were three inches in diameter. Made by Roebling Co in Trenton. Went on vacation to the canal in '06. Bought the "Morris Canal" book in Lake Hopatcong. So like that the water was used so many times.

[@garycort7997]

Excellent production to explain the operation of an effective and unusual system.

[@margueriteyork9650]

This video is fascinating. Although the mechanics have been explained to me before, seeing the animation makes the entire process so much clearer. The lock tenders must have been incredibly strong. Not to mention Lizzie, and all the walking she did. Excellent, clear narration by James Lee, Jr.

[@veronicaroach3667]

Wow - how fascinating - I live in NJ & whereas I have long been following the adventures of people on canal boats in UK where I am from, I had no idea there was ever a canal in NJ. I did know about the Erie Canal, but there's not a lot going on about that these days, whereas in UK the canals are fully in use for pleasure these days, and it's a really interesting subject. I'm sure people in UK would find this very interesting. I don't know if they ever built such a thing as the Plane 9 to get up hills in UK! Thank you for your video!

[@MrCRMapleFarm]

This is fantastic. The comments are great too. Thank you.

[@jfffjl]

That was amazing! Was familiar (somewhat) with the lock system but did not suspect the existence of the plane system.

[@RonaldRice]

Warwick, Super JOB!!! This animation shows that you have amazing skills to really tell a story that is so personal and engaging. It is hard to believe you did this 1.5 Years ago, Right!? As others have also noted, this is THE best animation of an operating Canal that we have ever seen. It is so natural and realistic looking- The sound effects are also wonderful. Kudos and congratulations! I have shared this video with many other MC fans, and they appreciate it also. It is now a MUST-See for all people studying the MC and especially those going on Plane 9 West tours in Stewartsville, NJ. By coincidence, I just took a group there to enjoy it and this video. Love the 3 Generations of the LEE men at 5:00 of the video. Keep up the good passionate work to preserve History! Thank you very much, RR

[@kbarhow]

I did not know they had computer animation back then. I guess it was water powered too! 8-) Great video!

[@LightsonthePath]

Excellent ! Very well done and informational. thanks for doing this

[@Mary20457]

A marvel of engineering and manufacturing. What an amazing construction project. Loved the video with special effects. Clear explanation of the way the system operated.

[@billgiltzow4464]

Superb. Thank you so much to Warren County and the Lee family for their efforts of preservation.

[@leebrewer1190]

Amazing - glad this amazing historic engineering feat has not totally been lost to history.

[@BillLeavens]

That was superb! Mandatory viewing for anyone interested in the Canal and what it meant for the growth and economic development of North Jersey.

[@robrob7011]

Incredible video

[@scottshepard345]

This is a great explanation of how the inclined planes and water turbines worked with the hinged boats.

[@royjustice1581]

What a great explanation of the workings of the planes! The animations certainly make it so much easier to understand. I marvel at the ingenuity of the entire mechanism! As I watched the animation of the cradles carry the hinge boats over the planes I wonder what the sound was like - if it was loud and mechanical, or, relatively quiet, with only the sound of the cables moving and the boat and cradle settling and shifting as the weight of the vessel in the cradle switched from canal to cradle, over the plane and back into the canal. Wonderful presentation! Nicely narrated, James! Solid, interesting, well-paced production, Warwick! (Clever animation at the end!)

[@larryjohnson6385]

Totally awesome 😎

[@kevinheffernan3163]

Just outstanding. Thank you very much for a very valuable lesson in local history.

[@thebigcityteam]

Great history thanks for sharing

[@mikedc3]

This is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@michaelmirsky492]

Any information about William Ramsey would be greatly appreciated 👍

[@Keith58x]

Excellent work!

[@RonaldRice]

Hey Warwick! Happy Thanksgiving. Would you like to continue your great animation work for another similar video on the Morris Canal? I sent you and email, too, but I do not know if you received it. Hope you are safe, Well, and still doing Super Animations like this! Thanks, Ron

[@josephpadula2283]

When did the canal switch from rope cables to Roebling’s steel Cables?

[@jimlee4002]

From "A hundred years a hundred miles " , by Barbara Kalata pg 407, "the company decided in mid 1847, as already noted, to use wire rope". So around the time of updating the planes to carry the heavier hinged boats carrying heavier cargoes circa 1847 - 1850 wire rope was used. This replaced chain which had reportedly replaced hemp rope at some point.

[@glennhertel1165]

Hey Spc. Morris Did DR. Hook take your canal?

[@khadijagwen]

I am more familiar with the History of the Erie Canal. I'm 76 years old and back in the day we did mostly the same work as the men but seldom wore pants unless there were no outsiders around.