Using Captain Kate in the Classroom

Canal Boating Terms

aqueduct—a trough-like structure that took the canal and towpath over a river or large stream flowing toward the Potomac. (Smaller streams flowed toward the river through large culverts built under the canal bed.)

berm—the side of the canal opposite the towpath

boat basin—"parking lot" for boats.

fall board—gangplank used to get the mules on and off the boat

level—a flat stretch of towpath between two locks

light boat—an unloaded boat; because it had no cargo, it rode high in the water

line—rope

lock—enclosure with water-tight "gates" at each end, used to raise and lower boats from one level of the canal to the next

slack water—the still water behind a dam on the river

snubbing line—rope that was looped around the snubbing post to brake the boat and steady it so it wouldn't damage the lock

tiller—the "stick" that turned the rudder to steer the boat; the tiller deck was the small area at the stern (back) of the boat where the steersman stood, sometimes called the "Quarterdeck"

waybill—paper that directed the boaters where to deliver their coal, gave the price per ton, etc.

Discussion Questions

Why did Kate behave the way she did? Why did she begin to change? What were some of the things Kate respected about Seth? How did Seth's father influence him? How did Kate's memories of her father influence her? How were ideas of appropriate behavior in the mid-19th century different from today's?

Possible Out-of-Class Activities

Learn to skip stones; learn to play cribbage; learn Home, Sweet Home; make and serve bean soup; make cocoa and/or cook oatmeal "from scratch."